…Yellow or brown discharge comes out and it itches. What do I have?  I don’t use a condom.

Thanks for writing in—it’s responsible to be aware of what’s going on in your body!

It sounds like you are experiencing the symptoms of an infection. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to tell exactly what’s going on without seeing a doctor. Make an appointment at Teen Clinic as soon as possible to make sure you’re healthy.  We also suggest abstaining from sex until you know for sure, since some infections can be sexually transmitted. Give us a call to schedule your appointment, and consider using condoms 100% in the future to keep yourself safe and healthy!

It’s possible you both are experiencing symptoms caused by a Chlamydia or Gonorrhea infection in the throat. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are transmitted through infected semen and vaginal fluids. They are bacteria that can infect the vagina, penis, anus or throat. More often than not, these infections are asymptomatic- which means they don’t have symptoms. So it’s quite possible for vaginal fluids and/or semen to be infected without symptoms in the penis or vagina specifically.

Get tested as soon as you can. Teen Clinic provides free and confidential STI testing, including a throat culture that will detect if Chlamydia or Gonorrhea is present. Remember that flavored condoms and dental dams are effective methods for reducing the transmission of STIs during oral sex! Until you are tested and treated, abstain for sexual activity or use condoms and dental dams.

What a great question! Teen Clinic offers free, confidential care to everyone under 20, whether male, female, or intersex.

On a walk-in basis, males can get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea, access our free monthly HIV testing, or pick up Plan B for a female partner. Males should make an appointment if they are experiencing the symptoms of an infection or if they want to receive Gardasil (the HPV vaccine). And, of course, males are always welcome to stop by Teen Clinic to grab a handful of condoms!  Teen Clinic can also be a resource for questions about sexuality, how to use a condom, or talking to your parents about sex.

We often think of females when we think of sexual health, but birth control and STI-related services are just as important for males!  Thanks for taking the initiative to take care of your health, and spread the word!

Great question!  Some sexually transmitted infections might not have symptoms, so getting tested is an important way to keep your body healthy.

Here’s a guide on when to test for what:

• Chlamydia/Gonorrhea:    At Teen Clinic, we test for chlamydia and gonorrhea with a simple urine sample.  Because chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial STI, we recommend testing after unprotected sex or after sex with a new partner.  We also recommend testing when someone is experiencing symptoms, like itching, bleeding with intercourse, painful ejaculation or burning with urination in males, or unusual discharge.  Once sexually active, test for chlamydia and gonorrhea once a year and before each new partner.
• Syphilis: Syphilis is rare among the general population.  However, rates are climbing among certain groups of people. When you come in, talk to a practitioner about your sexual health history to decide if a syphilis test makes sense for you. We test for syphilis with a simple blood draw.
• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus): We highly recommend everyone gets tested for HIV.  It’s always better to know. Once you’re sexually active, consider getting tested for HIV every year or and before each new partner. An HIV test is a rapid finger prick, so we receive results in just 10 minutes. At Teen Clinic, we offer free HIV testing the first Tuesday of the month in Boulder and the third Wednesday of the month in Longmont. The Boulder County AIDS Project offers free HIV testing for teens anytime! Visit www.bcap.org or call 303.444.6121.
• Herpes: At Teen Clinic, we only test for herpes when someone is experiencing an outbreak. Teens who are concerned about small, itchy red bumps or open lesions on their genitals should make an appointment for an infection check.
• HPV: Detecting HPV in the body can be tricky.  Some people learn they have HPV when they develop genital warts. Others may have a pap, or sample of cells, taken from their cervix or anus. If the cells show abnormal growth, pathology will determine if HPV is present. If HPV is causing the abnormal cells, they can become cancerous over time. Providers recommend annual paps for any female over 21.  We don’t perform paps on females under 21 because many young women with HPV clear the virus in their teenage years.  At this point in time, there is no equivalent test for men. However, men can still be infected and suffer from HPV. What can you do about HPV? Women and men can get the HPV vaccine, Gardasil, for free at Teen Clinic!  Gardasil can prevent some strains of HPV that cause genital warts and cancer.
• Trichomoniasis: Believe it or not, Trich is a common curable STI among young, sexually active women and men. Its symptoms can include painful ejaculation, green-yellow foamy discharge, a fishy smell, and slight irritation or itching. However, it can also be asymptomatic, meaning it has no symptoms. To diagnose Trichomoniasis in both men and women, a provider must perform a physical exam and laboratory tests. Someone concerned about Trich should schedule an Infection Check appointment at Teen Clinic so the provider knows an exam will be necessary.
• Hepatitis A, B &C: First, find out if you received a Hepatitis vaccine when you were a child. Most Americans are vaccinated against Hepatitis B, and some against Hepatitis A.  If you weren’t vaccinated, hepatitis is possible if you have been exposed to someone’s infected blood or sexual fluids. Teen Clinic does not offer hepatitis testing, but our providers would be happy to discuss it with you.  We refer interested patients to Boulder County Public Health. A blood draw is used to test for Hepatitis A, B and C.

Whew! That’s a lot to keep track of! Luckily, our providers are always willing to advise you on which tests are right for you.  And keep in mind that STIs can be prevented through abstinence, consistent & correct condom use, and talking to your partner about their sexual history before becoming active with them.   You can even bring them in to get tested!  To schedule an appointment for an infection check and/or STI test, call 303.442.5160.

It’s very possible to transmit and contract STIs through oral sex. It’s hard to estimate the exact likelihood of any individual. One person involved must be infected and there must be skin contact or the exchange of blood, semen and/or vaginal fluids. Some STIs are more likely to be transmitted during oral sex than others. Herpes & HPV are both viral STIs that transmit via skin-to-skin contact. Both viruses present themselves in the mouth and genitals. Herpes can cause cold sores on the outside of the mouth and around the genitals. HPV can cause abnormal cell growth (that can lead to cancer) in the mouth, throat and genitals. It’s also possible to contract Chlamydia or Gonorrhea in the throat through unprotected oral sex. Symptoms are generally a sore throat. Flavored condoms & dental dams exist purely for protected oral sex. Check out your local clinic or pharmacy for condoms & dental dams; be sure to use them every time!

Yes, many STIs can be transmitted through unprotected oral sex. Chalmydia & Gonorrhea can infect the throat, causing a sore throat. HPV has been linked to mouth and throat cancer when the virus is transmitted via oral sex. Herpes Type II (genital herpes) can be transmitted to the mouth, leading to cold sores on the outside of the mouth. Herpes Type I (oral herpes) can also cross-transmit, causing cold sore outbreaks on the genitals. Since there is a great risk for transmission it’s very important for you and a partner to get tested for any STIs. Until you’ve ruled out infection, always use a condom or a dental dam every time you engage in oral sex.

Only some STIs are completely curable. STIs that cannot be cured, however, can be treated. When we say that STIs are treatable we mean that symptoms can be soothed and managed, but the infection cannot be cured. STIs that are curable can go away completely with the right medication. Curable STIs are the bacterias: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis; and the parasites: Trichomoniasis, Pubic Lice & Scabies. Bacterial infections are cured with antibiotics. Parasitic infections are curable with various shampoos, creams, and medications.

The viral STIs cannot be completely cured, but their symptoms and effects can be managed and treated. Herpes, HPV, HIV, Hepatitis A, B, C can be managable infections. If you or someone you know is concerned about any STIs, make an appointment at one of our Teen Clinics for free and confidential testing and treatment. Remember, the best treatment is prevention and partner communication.

All STIs infect the genital area. Most of them can also infect the mouth and throat if they are transmitted through unprotected oral sex. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can infect the throat, causing soreness. Syphilis sores can appear on the inside of the mouth. High risk strains of HPV have been linked to mouth and throat cancer. Herpes can cross transmit between the genitals and the mouth, so it’s possible to get Herpes Type II on the mouth or Type I on the genitalia. Hepatitis A is only transmitted through oral-fecal contact that can occur through anal stimulation by mouth.

Using a male condom or dental dam can help reduce the risk of STI transmission during oral sex if one partner is infected. It’s also important to talk with a partner before any sexual contact about STI testing, protection, and past sexual histories. We know this can be difficult sometimes, but we hope you’ll find it that taking away the risk of STIs makes for a positive sexual experience.