Intrauterine devices may reduce the risk of cervical cancer by 45%, states a recent New York Times article.  The new information comes out of a review of studies conducted in Asia, South America, and Europe between 1985 and 2007. Researchers believe that inserting an IUD may create an immune response that helps the body fight off HPV.

Check out the whole article here, or learn more about IUDs here.

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!

… It doesn’t really hurt but they are making me nervous. Could I have genital warts? Can Teen Clinic help me if I do?

Without an exam, it’s impossible to tell what the bumps are!  Some bumps in the genital area are caused by viral STIs, while others occur after irritation (like razor burn).  Your best bet is to make an appointment at Teen Clinic this week.  When you call, tell the clinic assistant you need an infection check. It’s also a great idea to avoid sexual contact until you come in for your appointment.

Until one of our Teen Clinic practitioners examines your reproductive area, it’s impossible to tell what might be causing the pain.  However, rest assured that the first sign of cervical cancer usually isn’t pain; it’s an abnormal pap test. A pap test is when we take a sample of cells from the cervix to see if they’re growing normally. If they’re not, it can lead to cervical cancer. Often, abnormal cell growth occurs because someone has contracted the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

Even if the pain isn’t cervical cancer, it’s really important to make sure you’re healthy! Make an appointment for an infection check this week, and be sure to get tested for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. At the appointment, your practitioner will be able to answer more of your questions about pelvic pain.  Thanks for sending us this important question!

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.

…When I first pee in the morning it gives me a burning sensation; throughout the rest of the day it’s just a little tingly sensation. I have taken the HPV vaccines. What should I be worried about? Do you think this could be genital warts?

The best way to know is to see your health care provider. You can make an appointment at Teen Clinic for a check-up by calling 303.442.5160. Since you have unusual lesions and pain with urination, it’s very important to get checked out soon! Until you are able to see a health care provider, abstain from sexual activity.

The HPV vaccine provides great protection against four strains of the virus; types 6, 11, 16, 18. These strains account for 70% of cervical cancer cases and 90% of genital warts. However, there are around 30 other strains of genital HPV. Even though you received the vaccine, there is still chance you can transmit HPV.

You probably have a little inflammation of a hair follicle called folliculitis. Soaking in a warm tub for a couple of times a day for around 3 – 5 days is usually recommended.  It’s best if you make an appointment with your health care provider or Teen Clinic to examine the area on your labia. Genital warts (HPV) appear as a bump with rough edges at on the top of it or have a cauliflower type of appearance.

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!

GARDASIL, the vaccine preventing HPV, only prevents the transmission of four strains of HPV: 6, 11, 16, 18. These four strains account for about 70% of cervical cancer cases and 90% of genital warts. While that’s great protection, there are approximately 40 strains of sexually transmitted HPV. So the answer is yes, you are still at risk for contracting HPV from your boyfriend because you don’t know which strain he carries. For more information on the HPV vaccine, check out our FAQs. The HPV vaccine is now available to males too! If you boyfriend is interested, he can get the HPV vaccine at Teen Clinic.

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.