According to this study, not so much - the researchers found that after being diagnosed with herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2, which most commonly causes genital herpes rather than oral herpes/cold sores), people didn’t really change their sexual behaviors. Granted, one wouldn’t necessarily expect people to have sex less often, particularly with a steady relationship partner (though that’s one behavior the researchers looked at) and condom use didn’t seem to differ much either… then again, considering that condoms cannot completely prevent herpes transmission, that may influence people’s condom use decisions too. Here’s the abstract from this web site:

Do Protective Behaviors Follow the Experience of Testing Positive for Herpes Simplex Type 2?
Note 
Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 35(9):787-790, September 2008.
Crosby, Richard A. PhD *; Head, Sara MPH +; DiClemente, Ralph J. PhD +; Meyerson, Beth PhD ++; Troutman, Adewale MD [S]

Abstract:
Objective: To test the hypothesis that individuals attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic would adopt sexual protective behaviors after receiving a positive test for herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). 

Methods: Recruitment (N = 360) occurred in a publicly funded STD clinic located in a metropolitan area of the southern United States. Participants were tested for HSV-2 using a rapid test manufactured by Biokit (Lexington, MA) and they completed a self-administered questionnaire before and 3 months after being tested for HSV-2. Follow-up questionnaires were completed by 256 participants (71.1%).

Results: Of those completing follow-up, 43.4% (n = 111) tested positive for HSV-2 at enrollment. Significant differences between participants testing positive and those testing negative (at baseline) for HSV-2 over the follow-up period were not observed for frequency of sex, frequency of condom use, avoiding sex, and number of sex partners. Controlling for statistically identified covariates did not alter the null findings for these between group analyses. When analyzing change (baseline to follow-up) among only those testing positive, significant differences were not found with the exception of reporting greater frequency of condom use with steady (P = 0.037) and nonsteady partners at follow-up (P = 0.017). However, repeated measures analyses yielded only 1 significant group x time interaction; this indicated a greater increase in condom use frequency with steady partners among persons testing negative compared with those testing positive. 

Conclusions: Among STD clinic attendees, diagnosis of HSV-2 was unrelated to the adoption of sexual behaviors protective against further acquisition and transmission of STDs. In the absence of education beyond posttest counseling, becoming aware of HSV-2 positive serostatus may not be sufficient to motivate the adoption of safer sex behaviors among this population.
(C) Copyright 2008 American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association

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I recently learned that KY had created an "Intimacy Index" to help couples assess their level of intimacy and I’ve got to say - it either is completely broken or they are actively trying to make people feel bad about their relationships and sex lives. I took the quiz multiple times and used different response patterns to see what would happen, but they were all generally very positive responses, indicating someone who is very happy and satisfied with their relationship and sex life with their partner. And yet every single time I did this, I got the same response (above) which told me that "…a large majority (92%) of Americans in committed relationships indicated that their level of intimacy was higher. Don’t fret, though… and don’t forget, there is help at your fingertups, even in your local retailer" (yeah, you can guess where that is going).

KY lubricant and KY massage products will not necessarily help an ailing relationship (Lesson 1). And Lesson 2 is that something is seriously wrong with their scoring system. Even though each time I took the "index" I was able to change my score, it always said that 92% of people scored higher. It didn’t matter whether my score was 57 or 66 or in the 70s. It doesn’t take a scientist (although I’m a scientist) to see that something is wrong with their system. People who are in relationships have enough pressures related to making their relationship work - does KY really have to try to make people feel like everyone is more satisfied/intimate than they are, just to sell a little more lube?

Of course, this comes a few months after I met with some KY reps at a conference and they were unable to answer basic questions that I had about the safety of their new Liquibeads product. A year or two ago what disappointed me most was that they had positioned their lubricants and massage oils near each other in many retail stores - and had used nearly identical packaging and labeling - which has the potential to confuse people. Why does that matter? Because if people mistakenly use massage oil with latex condoms (thinking that the massage oil is a lube), then the condoms can break (oil breaks down latex), raising the risk for infection or unintended pregnancy.

Oh, KY. Please consider the direction you’ve been headed!!! You have SUCH GREAT POTENTIAL.

UPDATE: I  had a friend take the quiz too. He got a very high score as well and yet he, too, got the whole "92% of Amreicans…. indicated that their level of intimacy was higher." KY needs to either fix this glitch (if that’s what it is) or figure out a way to not make people feel bad about their relationships.

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For the sake of context, it may be worth noting that Alaska historically is frequently ranked as one of the states (and sometimes THE state) with the highest rates of chlamydia infection and also typically has astronomical rates of sexual assault and rape. In addition, this state of 600,000+ tends to have substantial rates of health disparities, as do other states, that deserve attention and funding. Then again, it seems that Alaska does provide fairly good sexuality education in some places as well as access to family planning services, and they seem to have had a decline in teen pregnancies in recent years (source: Guttmacher Institute).

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… what are the THREE THINGS that you are most curious about when it comes to vibrators and other sex toys? Who uses them? Where to get them? What’s a good beginner’s toy? How to talk to your partner about them? (and so on)

Please tell me - drdebby@mysexprofessor.com or leave a comment after this post. Thanks!

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CNN has posted an Associated Press (AP) article about Christina Applegate’s public statements about her battle with breast cancer, her decision to have a double mastectomy (even though cancer was found in only one breast), her plans for reconstructive surgery, her love of life and her humor.

Some key quotes:

On the choice to have a double mastectomy: 
"I just wanted to kind of be rid of it… so this was the choice I made, and it was a tough one."

On her forthcoming breast reconstruction:
"I’m going to have cute boobs till I’m 90, so there’s that," she joked in the interview, "I’ll have the best boobs in the nursing home. I’ll be the envy of all the ladies around the bridge table."

And on the ups and downs on her experience:
"Sometimes, you know, I cry, and sometimes I scream, and I get really angry, and I get really like, you know, into wallowing in self-pity sometimes," she said. "And I think that’s — it’s all part of healing, and anyone who’s going through it out there, it’s OK to cry. It’s OK to fall on the ground and just scream if you want to."

and

"I’ve laughed so much in the last three weeks," she said. "I love living, and I really love my life, and I knew that from this moment on it was only going to be good that was going to be coming. Yeah, I’ll face challenges, but you can’t get any darker than where I’ve been. So knowing that in my soul gave me the strength to just say, ‘I have to get out there and make this a positive.’ "

Read the full article here.

[Image via this site.]

You can learn more about breast cancer from the National Cancer Institute, here on their web site.

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…it just came out in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections. You can read the abstract here.

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This press release just found its way into my inbox:

For Immediate Release

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Much of what is discussed here on MSP and on other sex sites is relatively privileged sex - privileged in the sense that if one’s major concerns are finding the g spot, enhancing orgasm, or learning to initiate sex more comfortably, then one likely has a relatively decent sense of comfort (in life, if not in love) and room to breathe. When I travel other places, or even when I look more closely in communities here in the US, or among certain groups of people in the US (e.g., those who have been raped, trumatized, severely betrayed, etc) I am reminded just how good many of us have it.

This video includes a self-described "testimony" of one US veteran from the Iraq war. His experience may not reflect the majority of veterans, but it remains his experience and it is what it is. It is a compelling video and not overtly about sexuality, but it did remind me about how hatred, war, violence (of many sorts), and losses (of family members, spouses, partners, children) can affect a person’s sexuality and ability to be intimate with other people. Some of my sex therapist colleagues who work in VA clinics here in the US have been utterly astounded at the young men and women returning from war whose relationships are now severely challenged due to their mental or physical health issues following their military experience. Women and men, throughout the world (Iraq included), who have survived wars can likely identify. Two good resources for individuals dealing with sexuality and disabilty issues are sexualhealth.com and The Ultimate Guide to Sex and Disability.

Here is the video: (if it is unable to be viewed at the moment, you can find more here).

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This press release was just issued by the NYC Health Department regarding a substance called "Stone" that is apparently sold as an aphrodisiac and can be harmful or even fatal. You can read the release below or go to their web site for more information.

PRODUCT ALERT: ILLEGAL APHRODISIAC CALLED ‘STONE’ CAN CAUSE SERIOUS POISONING AND DEATH

Product Is Also Known as Love Stone, Black Stone, Rock Hard, Hard Rock, or Chinese Rock

NEW YORK CITY – May 23, 2008 – The Health Department today warned New York City residents about an illegal aphrodisiac known as “stone,” which can cause serious poisonings and death. The product is also known as Piedra, Jamaican Stone, Love Stone, Black Stone or Chinese Rock. Last week, an area hospital alerted the New York City Poison Control Center that a man had died after ingesting the aphrodisiac. Similar products were linked to poisonings and deaths during the 1990s.

These products are banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but are imported illegally. Selling them in New York City is also a violation of the New York City Health Code.

Stone, a hard dark brown substance, is typically sold as a solid chunk less than a square inch in size. It may be packaged in a clear plastic bag with some labeling. The product is sold in some adult stores and can also be found in other neighborhood stores. Its active ingredients include several chemicals known as bufadienolides. They are derived from toad venom and some trees and can disrupt the normal rhythm of the heart.

Stone can cause serious heart problems or death when ingested, but can also be harmful when applied to the skin – its typical use. Symptoms of poisoning may include chest pain, abdominal pain and vomiting.

The Health Department advises people who may have obtained and used these products to:

• Immediately stop using them.
• Wrap and discard them as garbage (do not flush down the toilet).
• If you suspect poisoning, call the Poison Control Center at (212) POISONS. Spanish- speaking callers can call (212) VENENOS. Interpretation services are available.

The Health Department has sent an alert to health care providers in New York City, asking them to watch for potential poisonings and to call Poison Control if they suspect a case. The agency is also working with federal authorities to require distributors and store owners to stop selling these products and remove them from shelves and inventory stockrooms.

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