It's Your (SEX) Life

Last time, on it's your (sex) life

HIV testing? Done that once. Been there. Can we stop using condoms now?

Take the Big Five: True or False Sex Quiz.

People today are using condoms more than ever before, which is great. But we're not exactly the condom generation yet.

One of the most common things couples can give each other during sex is a sexually transmitted disease called HPV. What's up with that?

Most young people aren't getting tested for HIV. Are you one of them?

Think you might be pregnant?! Emergency Contraception

Talking about sex with your partner

Going to the clinic: STDs and check-ups

Wanna know more?

Click here for more info on sex, STDs, and birth control

Can you tell an STD from a zit or bad cramps? How do you know if you or your partner is infected?

Ever worried about a symptom like itching "down there"--or a strange smell or discharge--and thought "Egad, do I have a sexually transmitted disease????" If so, you're not alone. Every year there are 4 million cases of STDs like herpes or chlamydia among teens and 6 million cases among 20-24 year-olds. According to our calculators, one in three people who have had sex will get an STD by age 24.

Symptoms 101

So knowing a thing or two about STD symptoms might come in handy. But here's the real kicker: lots of STDs don't give people any symptoms at all. In other words, most STDs are asymptomatic. So, no symptoms, no worry, right? Wrong. Even STDs with no symptoms can be causing serious health problems for you and your partner. So even if your roommate--or the guy you think is hot--doesn't have any symptoms it doesn't mean they are STD-free. The only way to know for sure is to get tested (click here for the where's and how's of STD testing).

Think you know what could be an STD symptom and what couldn't be? Test whether you can separate the fakers from the real symptoms by clicking on each of the symptoms below:

Abdominal pain or tenderness

Bleeding from the vagina (other than your period)

Blisters on your genital area

Discharge from the vagina or penis

Irritation in the genital area

Itching in the genital area

Pain or burning while urinating

Painful sex

Pelvic pain

Sores on the vagina, penis, buttocks or thighs

Very dark urine

Vaginal yeast infections

Warts or bumps on the genitals

Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)

Yikes, I think I have that symptom. What can I do?

If any of these symptoms sound familiar--even if they happened months or even years ago--you'll want to make like 007 and get tested for STDs by a doctor, like now. Why the rush? Because some STDs have serious consequences if you don't get them treated or take medicine early on. Two of those STDs are chlamydia and gonorrhea. In some cases they can cause infertility or incurable lifetime pelvic pain. The good news is that if you find out early on you have chlamydia or gonorrhea, the infection can be cured quickly with the right medicine.

For incurable STDs, the viral ones such as herpes or hepatitis B, you'll still want to hustle to get tested because doctors can give you treatments and medicines to take away or reduce uncomfortable symptoms like warts or painful peeing.

There's one STD infection that'll put you in the real-life ER

If you're a woman, there's one STD infection that can put in the ER, and we don't mean the TV show. The symptoms are like a cross between a crazy bad case of the flu and menstrual cramps: persistent pain or cramping in your abdominal area or lower back; tummy tenderness when you move or go to the bathroom; strange vaginal discharge; pain during sex; or any of these symptoms with a fever. The infection is called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and it's caused by the wonder-twin powers of chlamydia or gonorrhea, which move through the cervix to infect the uterine lining or fallopian tubes. If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible. If you have all of these symptoms at once, go get medical care as soon as you finish this sentence. PID can leave a woman infertile if it's left untreated.

Test, test baby

Being able to spot an STD symptom, especially PID symptoms, is important if you want to catch an infection early. But really, the answer, my friend, is in making sure you don't get one in the first place. The safest route is to abstain from sex; if that's not in the cards for you, reduce your chance of getting an STD by using a condom every time you have sex and by using condoms or dental dams for oral sex. And be sure that you and your partner get tested for STDs, including HIV, on a regular basis. Testing--often FREE testing--is available for you at your local public health clinics, Planned Parenthood clinics, and even your family doctor. (Call the National STD hotline at 1 800 227-8922 to get info on where to find a free or low-cost clinic with STD testing in your area).

Remember: STD testing is not usually included as part of a routine GYN or physical exam unless you ask for it. So ask for each STD test by name: chlamydia, gonorrhea, trich, syphilis, hepatitis B, HPV and HIV.

Hotlines

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National STD Hotline: 1-800-227-8922
This hotline will answer general questions about STDs, their symptoms, transmission, treatment and testing, and can also provide referrals to clinics and other hotlines.

Planned Parenthood National Hotline: 1-800-230-PLAN
This hotline will automatically connect you to the Planned Parenthood Provider nearest you. Planned Parenthood offers STD testing including HIV, contraception, pre-natal and post-natal care, pregnancy options counseling, and adoption referrals.

CDC National HIV & AIDS Hotline: 1-800-342-AIDS
This hotline will provide information about HIV/AIDS, answer questions about testing and prevention, and will provide referrals to callers. They will also send out free literature on HIV and AIDS.

National Herpes Hotline: 1-919-361-8488
Sponsored by the American Social Health Association, this hotline provides information and counseling to people with herpes and those who are close to them. It also provides free publications and referrals to local support groups.

National HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention hotline: 1-877-HPV-5868.
The hotline is open Mon-Fri 2pm-7pm Eastern Time. Sponsored by the American Social Health Association (AHSA) this hotline can answer all your questions about human papillomavirus (HPV) --the most common sexually transmitted disease-- and about cervical cancer. Most cervical cancer is caused by high-risk types of HPV.

National Teenage AIDS Hotline: 1-800-440-TEEN,
Fridays and Saturdays, 6pm to midnight, EST. Sponsored by the American Red Cross, this hotline uses a staff of peer educators to provide information about HIV/AIDS and other STDs and to refer callers to other numbers.

it's your (sex) life is brought to you in partnership with the Kaiser Family Foundation, an independent, non-profit health care philanthropy.The content of this site was prepared by staff of the Foundation. MTV and the Foundation have joined forces to provide information on important sexual health issues to MTV viewers and online users. The Kaiser Family Foundation is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente or any other Kaiser Industries.

Abdominal pain or tenderness (especially with a fever) - could be a sign of Hepatitis B Virus - see your doctor.

MORE on Hepatitis B virus: Many people don't have any symptoms. Others may experience severe fatigue, achiness, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, darkening of urine, or abdominal tenderness, usually within one to six months of exposure. Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (called jaundice), and darkening of the urine can occur later.

HOW it's spread:
Through unprotected vaginal, oral, and anal sex. It can also be transmitted though sharing contaminated needles, or through any behavior in which a person's mucus membranes are exposed to an infected person's blood, semen, vaginal secretions, or saliva. (Don't worry, the chances of getting Hepatitis B through kissing are slim, unless your partner likes to bite!)
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Bleeding from the vagina (other than your period) - could be a sign of Chlamydia or Gonorrhea - see your doctor.

MORE on Chlamydia: There are no symptoms in most women and many men who have it. Others may experience unusual discharge, genital pain or irritation, and pain during urination within one to three weeks of having unprotected sex with an infected partner. Women may also experience abnormal vaginal bleeding (not your period).

HOW it's spread: Through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

MORE on Gonorrhea:

Most women and many men who get it have no symptoms. For those who do get symptoms, it can cause a burning sensation while urinating, green or yellowish vaginal or penile discharge, and for women, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or pelvic pain. Symptoms can appear within two to ten days after infection.

HOW it's spread: Through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
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Blisters on your genital area - could be a sign of Genital Herpes - see your doctor.

MORE on Herpes:
There are two kinds of herpes. Herpes 1 causes cold sores and fever blisters on the mouth but can be spread to the genitals; Herpes 2 is usually on the genitals, but can spread to the mouth. Nearly two-thirds of people who are infected with herpes don't even realize it. An outbreak can cause red bumps that turn into painful blisters or sores on the vagina, penis, buttocks, thighs, or elsewhere. During the first attack, it can also lead to flu-like symptoms, including fever, aches, chills, and swollen glands. Symptoms usually appear within two weeks of infection but can take longer in some cases. The first outbreak is usually more severe than later recurrences. Before getting a new outbreak (after the first one), you may feel tingling or itching in the genital area.

HOW it's spread:
By touching an infected area--so sex is not necessary--or having unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Warning: some people may be contagious even when they don't have symptoms.
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Discharge from the vagina or penis- could be a sign of Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis, or Chlamydia - see your doctor.

MORE on Trich (Trichomoniasis):
Often there are no symptoms, especially in men. Some women note a frothy, smelly, yellowish-green vaginal discharge, and/or genital area discomfort, usually within four days to one month after exposure to the parasite. Some men may notice a discharge from their penis.

HOW it's spread:
Through unprotected vaginal sex.

MORE on Gonorrhea:
Most women and many men who get it have no symptoms. For those who do get symptoms, it can cause a burning sensation while urinating, green or yellowish vaginal or penile discharge, and for women, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or pelvic pain. Symptoms can appear within two to ten days after infection.

HOW it's spread:
Through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

MORE on Chlamydia:
There are no symptoms in most women and many men who have it. Others may experience unusual discharge, genital pain or irritation, and pain during urination within one to three weeks of having unprotected sex with an infected partner. Women may also experience abnormal vaginal bleeding (not your period).

HOW it's spread:
Through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
Top

Irritation in the genital area - could be a sign of Trichomoniasis, Gonorrhea or Chlamydia - see your doctor.

HOW it's spread:
Through unprotected vaginal sex.

HOW it's spread:
Through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

MORE on Chlamydia:
There are no symptoms in most women and many men who have it. Others may experience unusual discharge, genital pain or irritation, and pain during urination within one to three weeks of having unprotected sex with an infected partner. Women may also experience abnormal vaginal bleeding (not your period).

HOW it's spread:
Through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
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Itching in the genital area - could be a sign of Herpes or Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes genital warts - see your doctor.

HOW it's spread:
By touching an infected area-so sex is not necessary-or having unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Warning: some people may be contagious even when they don't have symptoms.

MORE on HPV:
Soft, itchy warts in and around the genitals (vagina, penis, testicles, anus, inner thighs) may appear two weeks to three months after exposure. Many people, however, have no symptoms but may still be contagious.

HOW it's spread:
Through unprotected vaginal or anal sex, or by touching or rubbing an infected area.
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Pain or burning while urinating - could be a sign of Gonorrhea, Genital Herpes, or Chlamydia - see your doctor.

MORE on Herpes: There are two kinds of herpes. Herpes 1 causes cold sores and fever blisters on the mouth but can be spread to the genitals; Herpes 2 is usually on the genitals, but can spread to the mouth. Nearly two-thirds of people who are infected with herpes don't even realize it. An outbreak can cause red bumps that turn into painful blisters or sores on the vagina, penis, buttocks, thighs, or elsewhere. During the first attack, it can also lead to flu-like symptoms, including fever, aches, chills, and swollen glands. Symptoms usually appear within two weeks of infection but can take longer in some cases. The first outbreak is usually more severe than later recurrences. Before getting a new outbreak (after the first one), you may feel tingling or itching in the genital area.

HOW it's spread:
By touching an infected area-so sex is not necessary-or having unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Warning: some people may be contagious even when they don't have symptoms.

HOW it's spread:
Through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

MORE on Chlamydia:
There are no symptoms in most women and many men who have it. Others may experience unusual discharge, genital pain or irritation, and pain during urination within one to three weeks of having unprotected sex with an infected partner. Women may also experience abnormal vaginal bleeding (not your period).

Painful sex - could be a sign of Gonorrhea - see your doctor.

HOW it's spread:
Through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

HOW it's spread:
Through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
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Pelvic pain - could be a sign of Gonorrhea or Chlamydia - see your doctor.

HOW it's spread:
Through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

MORE on Chlamydia:
There are no symptoms in most women and many men who have it. Others may experience unusual discharge, genital pain or irritation, and pain during urination within one to three weeks of having unprotected sex with an infected partner. Women may also experience abnormal vaginal bleeding (not your period).

HOW it's spread:
Through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
Top

Sores on the vagina, penis, buttocks or thighs - could be a sign of Genital Herpes or Syphilis - see your doctor.

HOW it's spread:
By touching an infected area-so sex is not necessary-or having unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Warning: some people may be contagious even when they don't have symptoms.

MORE on Syphilis:
In the first phase, a single sore (chancre) may appear on the genitals or mouth several weeks to three months after exposure, lasting for one to five weeks. Often, however, there are no noticeable symptoms. In the second stage, up to ten weeks after the sore has disappeared, a variety of symptoms can appear, including a rash (often on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, or in the genital area).

HOW it's spread:
Through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex--and also through kissing if there is a lesion on the mouth.
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Very dark urine - could be a sign of Hepatitis B Virus - see your doctor.

MORE on Hepatitis B virus:
Many people don't have any symptoms. Others may experience severe fatigue, achiness, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, darkening of urine, or abdominal tenderness, usually within one to six months of exposure. Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (called jaundice), and darkening of the urine can occur later.

Vaginal yeast infections - severe or recurring yeast infections could be a sign of HIV - see your doctor.

MORE on HIV:
Many people who have HIV don't even know it because symptoms may not appear for 10 years or longer. Others experience unexplained weight loss, flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, fatigue, persistent fevers, night sweats, headaches, or severe or recurring vaginal yeast infections.

HOW it's spread:
Through body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk -in other words, during unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex; by sharing contaminated needles; via pregnancy or breast-feeding. During anal or vaginal sex, the receptive (receiving) partner is at higher risk for HIV infection than the insertive (inserting) partner.
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Warts or bumps on the genitals - could be a sign of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes genital warts - see your doctor.

HOW it's spread:
Through unprotected vaginal or anal sex, or by touching or rubbing an infected area.
Top

Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes - could be a sign of Hepatitis B Virus - see your doctor.

MORE on Hepatitis B virus:
Many people don't have any symptoms. Others may experience severe fatigue, achiness, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, darkening of urine, or abdominal tenderness, usually within one to six months of exposure. Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (called jaundice), and darkening of the urine can occur later.