This site contains information about physical, psychological and medical conditions. Its purpose is to provide general advice about the condition in question. Information contained within should not substitute for the opinion of a trained medical or psychological professional. While every effort will be made to convey accurate information, the Caroline County Health Department and The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene are not legally liable for any information either explicit or implied that is published on this site.
(Most recent questions are at the top of this page)
Yesterday, my boyfriend and
I were attempting to have sex. But, I am a virgin and his penis would not
really go in. Later when I used the restroom, I bleed a little, is this
normal? What does this mean? Could I get pregnant from this event?
It is possible that your bleeding was from the trauma of attempting to have sex. The vagina is vascular (many tiny blood vessels) close to the surface of the skin and mucosa and bleeds easily. Some virgins bleed after penetration due to the stretching of the hymen, a thin membrane close to the opening of the vagina. Bleeding can also occur as a result of trauma to the urinary opening, in which case there is usually pain on urination.
If your partner ejaculated close to the vagina, even if he
did not penetrate completely, it is possible to get pregnant. It depends
on where you are in your cycle and if sperm did get into the vagina.
Condoms should be used with each act of sex, especially if you are not using any
other method of birth control. Condoms prevent Sexually Transmitted
Infections. Any unprotected act (or attempted act) of sexual intercourse
can result in pregnancy. Please protect yourself.
Can you harm yourself by masturbating on a regular basis?
Masturbation cannot cause any physical harm except for lowering the sperm count if you are a male. If it is an obsessive activity then counseling and possibly medication is needed. It may also interfere in relationships if one partner prefers masturbation. By "on a regular basis" do you mean daily, weekly, monthly, etc. ? There are no "rules" for how often a person masturbates but if it interferes with normal daily activities and relationships it is time to seek professional advise.
Is it possible to get pregnant by dry sex?
First I'm not sure what is meant by dry sex, you need to clarify that term. If you mean sex without ejaculation, then the answer is yes. A small amount ejaculate can leak from the male urethra prior to ejaculation and this can contain sperm. The more sperm present, the more chances a pregnancy can occur. Condoms are always recommended to prevent pregnancy and STD's.
Hello. My cousin just recently had an abortion and her reason for it was because the guy she had slept with had a sexually transmitted disease and she didn't want to take any chances on the baby becoming infected. Before she got the abortion though she said she had been tested and she was not infected by it. I was wondering would it be possible for the baby to have gotten the STD, even though she didn't? It's really has been bothering me, any info would be appreciated. Thank you for your time.
Abortion is always a very personal decision with many individual reasons for the choice. If your cousin did not test positive for a sexually transmitted disease then the fetus would not be infected. Your cousin may have been misinformed, not have had all the facts or had, what she thought, was a valid reason for terminating the pregnancy. She needs your support even though you may not have agreed with her decision.
I am very dumbfounded by the fact that I read in one of your articles that you cannot get an STD by a toilet or wet towels. When I feel that I may have a disease because of a urinary infection that I have. I have peed blood and so forth. But I have never had sex in any way. Because it seems to come back. Like when I sweat. Are you sure you can't get it from wet towels? Because it happened around the time I found my towel wet in the men's bathroom. Later that night I woke up hurting. It makes me wonder if it was from the wet towel.
It would be very rare that a sexually transmitted disease is transferred by a wet towel or a toilet seat. Pediculosis Pubis (Crabs) would be the most likely STD transmitted via a toilet seat or towel. It sounds like you may have a bladder or kidney infection or possibly even a kidney stone if you have blood in your urine. Urinary track infections are not STD's unless there is a co-infection of gonorrhea, chlamydia or Trichomonas. Urinary track infections are usually from other pathogens (germs). Yeast is another organism that likes to live in a damp environment and can cause urinary track symptoms. Yeast is not sexually transmitted. Athlete's Foot and Jock Itch are examples of yeast infections that are sometimes transmitted in locker rooms or public showers. Sweating sets up a conducive environment for transmission of yeast. Seeing your doctor is the best recommendation we can make to resolve your symptoms and good hygiene is also important.
What is chronic cervicitis with atypical squamous metaplasia?
This is a benign condition that occurs frequently in women.
Chronic cervicitis is an on going inflammation of the cervix. Inflammation does not mean infection. It is just an irritation caused by normal everyday situations.
Atypical means "not normal or unusual".
Squamous refers to the cells on the surface of the cervix.
Metaplasia is the process that cells go through as they mature.
Because the cells, which are maturing, become inflamed; they may look unusual to the pathologists looking at them under a microscopic .
This condition of the cervix usually requires a repeat pap smear every 6 months to one year depending on the clinicians protocols.
How can one obtain birth control at the health department?
Certain criteria must be met before the health department can prescribe birth control. Our primary target population is the non-contracepting teen and anyone of reproductive age who is uninsured or under insured (their insurance will not cover birth control). An exam is required with labs, cervical cultures and a pap smear. A person already receiving services from another health department can easily transfer records or a person who is being followed by another provider, but has lost their insurance, can also transfer their records to the Family Planning clinic.
Call the Family Planning Clinic at 410-479-8000 to schedule an appointment.
If you are insured and have a prescription plan it is suggested that you seek care from a private provider.
Can I get birth control? If so when you first use it does it start working immediately?
An exam, medical history and family history is necessary before the health department clinician can prescribe a birth control method. Specific criteria is used to determine if a particular method is compatible with your health and lifestyle. For instance if you smoker have a history of blood clots, it is not recommended to use the pill or patch. If you have a history of untreated depression, Depo Provera is not the method of choice. IUD's are not recommended for women who have not had a baby. The method needs to be tailored to the individual and how fast the birth control works is related to the method chosen. If you are specifically interested in "the pill", we recommend you use a back up method the first month and whenever antibiotics are prescribed. It is possible to become pregnant if not used properly. Your period will start after three weeks on the pills when you are taking the last week of pills in the pack which have no birth control hormones.
My boyfriend says that whenever he gives me oral sex, that the day after, he has a small pimple around his mouth. But he also has sensitive skin, and shaves his facial hair before oral sex. Could this be caused by me having an STD, or is it just his sensitive skin?
Your boyfriend probably develops a pimple from a combination of sensitive skin, acetic vaginal secretions and bacteria in saliva. If the pimple was a result of Herpes Simplex virus, it would be in the form of a painful ulcer and take longer to develop.
I have a problem here. I am 26 years of age and married with a child, but I cannot get rid of this problem. Whenever I get excited, or my wife arouses me, I lubricate which makes me uneasy. I have been trying not to pay attention to it, because I don't like when I lubricate before having sex. While even watching any sex movie I lubricate. What should I do? My wife does not like it. Am I suffering from a disease? What is the cure? Is it natural or normal? Please guide me on this.
We need clarification of the problem. If the problem is premature ejaculation (orgasm before you want to), then you need to see your primary care provider for suggestions on how to prevent this occurrence. Sex therapy is usually very helpful. If the problem is a leaking of seminal fluid during arousal, then it is a natural, normal response. Neither premature ejaculation, leaking seminal fluid or "lubricating" is a disease.
I would like to ask: is there any danger if my boyfriend keeps sticking his finger into my vagina and does that for an hour? Will there be any after effects?
It is possible to introduce staphylococcus, streptococcus and other bacteria into the vagina with a finger. Prolonged digital foreplay can cause small cuts, abrasions and tears in the vaginal mucosa (vaginal lining) making it susceptible to infections.
When would it be safe to have sex without getting pregnant? I recently had sex on the 11th day after my period which is a 30 day cycle and wonder if I'll become pregnant?
There is never a "safe" time period to have unprotected sex without the risk of getting pregnant. The 11th day is considered borderline at best. Emergency contraception is available for use within 72 hours of the act of unprotected sex.
Is there anyway you can be treated for a disease @ the HD without any questions asked? Just come in there, get examined, get treated, and leave???
We wish it were that simple. The fact is the job we have to do has two parts: (1) we need to treat your disease, and (2) we need to prevent spreading the disease to others. Thus the questions. We need to know what you did or didn't do to protect yourself. We need to know who gave you the disease and who you might have passed it on to, so they can also be treated. Whether you realize it or not, you are one case in an epidemic (two or more related cases), and we need to do everything we can to stop it. Thanks for an excellent question. We hope you will do everything you can to help others as well as yourself.
Here are some other reasons why questions must be asked:
1. To determine payment, if you have insurance you would be referred to your
primary care physician.
2. Depending on the type of disease you may have would trigger certain
questions. Should you have a sexual transmitted disease (STD) we would need to
know sex partner (s) to notify them of the need for treatment.
This is a two question scenario. Upon arousal during foreplay my girlfriend gets excited and has trouble controlling her bodily functions. She recently became so excited that she urinated all over my bed. This has happened on several times. Is there a disorder that causes her to have this problem? And can I get any sexually transmitted diseases from the resulting stains on my bed?
This is uncommon but not abnormal. She should empty her bladder before sex.
STD's are acquired from having unprotected sex (not using a condom) and not from
stains.
Is it correct that if you and your partner were both virgins, then it is not possible to get a sexually transmitted disease?
What a great question! As usual, there is no easy answer. Simply put, it depends on your definition of the word "virgin." If you define virginity as never having had any sexual activity, including petting, oral sex, or anal sex, then it would be correct to say it is probably not possible to transmit an STD. However, it is the trend today to define virginity as never having had only penile/vaginal sex ( the kind that makes babies). If your virgins, under this definition, had engaged in any of those other, lesser forms of sex or homosexual activity, then it is very possible to pick up and transfer STD's. Also, remember that always using condoms in any kind of sexual activity greatly reduces the chance of getting an STD.
My girlfriend is pregnant, she wants to keep the child. But she is only 15, I am 18. By law the relationship is legal. I really care for her, and I want to be a part of the baby's life. We have worked out a plan to get married and for me to join the military to afford the child and keep going with our lives. If she were to get the doctor to say she was pregnant, would she be able to marry with out her parent's signature?
Assuming you live in Maryland the answer is no. Maryland law requires anyone 15-16 years of age must have physical proof of pregnancy, or have had a baby plus (in addition to) parental signature. The law further states that if the person is 16-18 years of age they would have to have either physical proof of pregnancy or parental signature. In Summary if you are 15-16 years old you have to be pregnant or had a baby, and parental signature. If you are 16-18 you have to be pregnant, or have parental signature.
What if you cannot get your penis inside your girlfriend?
Make sure you have adequate lubrication (water soluble), use lubricated condoms. Several questions we would ask are, is the penis hard enough, is the female partner a virgin? You could have the female partner guide the penis into the vagina. You could also try finding the vaginal opening with a finger.
What do you do when you have to "Fake It"?
I need a little more information on exactly what you are trying to fake. If you are talking about an orgasm, and are a female, I would consider the following: If you are a teen, you may not be physically or mentally mature enough to handle a sexual relationship. There may be other factors as well, such a history of sexual abuse to have to "fake it". You may want to consider speaking to a counselor at your school or at your local health department.
How long do you have to be using an oral contraceptive before it is effective?
The pill may be effective as early as 14 days. However, it is best to use a back-up method, like condoms, through the 21st day. Then you are 98% sure you will be protected. But remember, you must take a pill every day thereafter. Missing just one day may result in pregnancy!
Can I get pregnant if I have anal sex?
In order to answer your question completely and scientifically I am assuming you are a female of reproductive age (having regular menstrual cycles) and would be having anal sex with a male with a normal sperm count. If these assumptions are correct, the answer is yes, getting pregnant is possible but unlikely. The distance from the anus to the vagina is very small, and sperm cells could find their way there during intercourse. If a condom is used, however, that small possibility would be further reduced, in addition to affording protection against sexually transmitted diseases. HIV is most often transmitted by unprotected anal intercourse.
Can I get an STD from a toilet seat or wet towels?
No, it is only passed through body fluid to body fluid contact.
Can you have an STD without knowing it?
Yes, if you have had unprotected sex you should be tested.
What are genital warts?
Genital warts are small sexually transmitted growths that appear on, around, or inside the sex organs. They are caused by a virus and are spread from person to person by close physical contact during vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
I have been told that you can't get pregnant the first time you have sex. Is this right?
Many teens have asked this question for many years. The answer is complicated, so bear with us. Young girls usually must have regular periods (once a month) before they can become pregnant. Most girls have irregular periods for several months after they start, during which time they probably are not in danger of pregnancy. But don't push your luck! So the answer depends on where you are in menarchy ( the beginning of menstruation). It is best to assume that pregnancy is possible whenever first intercourse occurs, especially after periods become regular. Ask your school nurse or health department Family Planning nurse how to get through this difficult time.
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Leland D. Spencer, M.D. : Health Officer |
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