Treatments for Herpes
Q: What other forms of treatment are there for herpes type 1 and type 2, other than those drugs that suppress symptoms?
A: There is no cure for herpes type 1 or type 2. The only treatment that I know of is the use of antivirals (like Zovirax, Famvir, or Valtrex). Antivirals work by shortening the outbreaks or by preventing them. Some people opt to take them daily to reduce outbreaks and to reduce the chances of passing it on, since herpes can be spread even when ulcers are not visible. Some antivirals can be taken less often. Check with your doctor to see which option is best for you. If you do have an outbreak, avoid sexual contact until the sores are completely gone. Avoid touching your sores with your hands as well. If you have a sore on your mouth, you must not perform oral sex on your partner as you can also pass it on this way.
As for alternative approaches to treatment, there is discussion on WebMD about the use of an ointment containing propolis, which comes from honeybees. They mention a study that showed that this ointment could help sores heal faster. What is important to know about alternative treatments is that they are not approved as medications. They are considered nutritional supplements.
Birth Control for Men
Q: Do you have any reliable information on birth control pills for men or any other method that does not involve a condom?
A: To date, there are no birth control pills available on the market for men that I know of. They are being researched, however. The other option is to get a vasectomy, but this is rather drastic if you plan on having children later. There is always the withdrawal method, but it is not completely reliable as men have pre-cum which may contain sperm and which they do not feel coming out. So basically, condoms are the best option that you’ve got if you’re taking control of your own reproductive destiny.
HPV
Q: I have a severe case of HPV. Is there anything I can do to get rid of the warts? They have traveled to my butt and are very painful. Unfortunately, I have no health insurance.
A: There is nothing you can do without going to see a doctor to get treatment. If you are young, you may want to try and find a youth clinic in your area. If you are in school, you can see the school nurse. You may also try calling your Planned Parenthood chapter. Oftentimes, the HPV can clear up on its own with treatment. However, if it doesn’t and it causes you pain, you need to treat this. You will likely be prescribed a cream to treat the warts, or you may need to have them frozen off.
Drinking Sperm
Q: What happens if a woman ingests sperm? What are the merits and demerits of it?
A: If anyone has someone else’s ejaculate in their mouth, it puts them at risk for a sexually transmitted infection—unless you have both been tested and do not have any STIs. Whatever you can catch in your genitals, you can also catch through oral sex. Otherwise, there is no risk when it comes to swallowing semen. It will simply be digested the same way other foods are. However, there have been reports of people who have an allergy to the proteins found in semen, but this is rare. As for “benefits”, there are no good scientific studies that suggest any health benefits to ingesting semen.
Pregnancy
Q: So, the condom broke after about three minutes of sex. I’m on my period. He said there wasn’t much precum, because he wasn’t super aroused. What’s my probability of becoming pregnant??
A: If he did not ejaculate inside you and you are on your period, the chances are very slim. It is, however, possible to get pregnant from precum, no matter the amount. But the chances are slim. If I add both factors, being on your period and no ejaculation, then I would say you have very little risk of becoming pregnant. If you miss your period, it’s still best to do a pregnancy test. But I wouldn’t stress out too much.