http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/sexual_health/ Read articles on sexual health including information on genital herpes, birth control and the symptoms of HIV and other STDs. Learn about male impotence and contraception. en-us Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:05:01 EST Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/sexual_health/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100208211921.htm A new study conducted in a multi-country HIV treatment program in sub-Saharan Africa has found that pregnancy rates increase in HIV-infected women after they start antiretroviral therapy. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100208211921.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100205162951.htm High-coverage human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations among adolescents and young women may result in a rapid reduction of genital warts, cervical cell abnormalities, and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, researchers report in a new study. Some of these genital abnormalities are precursors of cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers. Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100205162951.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100205122240.htm Mental health professionals have long-known that gay, lesbian and bisexual teens face significantly elevated risks of mental health problems, including suicidal thoughts and suicidal attempts. However, a group of researchers has now come to the conclusion that self-identity is the crucial risk-factor, rather than actual sexual behaviors. Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100205122240.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100204144551.htm Male homosexuality doesn't make complete sense from an evolutionary point of view. One possible explanation is what evolutionary psychologists call the "kin selection hypothesis." What that means is that homosexuality may convey an indirect benefit by enhancing the survival prospects of close relatives. Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100204144551.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100129151753.htm Results of a clinical trial show that a new vaccine against tuberculosis is effective in preventing tuberculosis in people with HIV infection. Scientists found that MV immunization reduced the rate of definite tuberculosis by 39 percent among 2,000 HIV-infected patients in Tanzania. Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100129151753.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201171637.htm A new study weighs in on the controversy over sex education, finding that an abstinence-only intervention for pre-teens was more successful in delaying the onset of sexual activity than a health-promotion control intervention. After two years, one-third of the abstinence-only group reported having sex, compared to one-half of the control group. Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201171637.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127182503.htm The act and victimization of bullying continues to be a problem among today's youth. While many children are experiencing this form of violence, it is more prevalent in children that are different from the social norm. As medical professionals continue to further their understanding of bullying, research shows a high rate of sexual minority youth who experience this harmful activity. Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127182503.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100122102435.htm Genital herpes caused by a reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is generally treated as a lesion in one specific area of the genital region. A new study, however, finds that the virus can frequently reactivate throughout the genital tract, an important new concept that could help guide both HSV-2 treatment and prevention. Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100122102435.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100125173448.htm With the help of effective drug therapies, HIV patients are living longer, healthier lives. Now, researchers want to improve these drug therapies and develop alternative preventative strategies, such as vaginal gels and creams that contain the same or related compounds used in treatments for people infected with HIV. A new compound being developed is more potent and longer-lasting than current HIV therapies. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100125173448.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100128110227.htm New research in the UK casts doubt on whether men can be trusted to take the male contraceptive pill, which is currently undergoing trials. The findings show that while men said they would welcome it, women thought their partners could not be trusted to take the contraceptive pill regularly, leading to unplanned pregnancy. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100128110227.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100125094503.htm Young women and teenage girls often face efforts by male partners to sabotage birth control or coerce pregnancy -- including damaging condoms and destroying contraceptives -- and these efforts, defined as "reproductive coercion," frequently are associated with physical or sexual violence, a study has found. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100125094503.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127114026.htm The way a woman negotiates condom use influences how she is perceived by others. Whether it's the man or the woman who suggests using a condom makes no difference to how he or she is viewed. However, how the woman suggests it makes a difference. If she highlights her sexuality by incorporating condoms into the sexual scenario as an erotic and fun activity, other women judge her more harshly than if she simply refuses to have sex without a condom or shares her concerns about sexually transmitted infections. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127114026.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100120211025.htm A five-year international multi-center clinical trial has found that acyclovir, a drug widely used as a safe and effective treatment to suppress herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2), the most common cause of genital herpes, does not reduce the risk of HIV transmission when taken by people infected with both HIV and HSV-2. Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100120211025.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100120211006.htm Systemic pre-exposure administration of antiretroviral drugs provides protection against intravenous and rectal transmission of HIV in mice with human immune systems, according to a new study. Mon, 25 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100120211006.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100122102441.htm HIV infection or the treatments used to control it are prematurely aging the brain, researchers have found. Blood flow in the brains of HIV patients is reduced to levels normally seen in uninfected patients 15 to 20 years older. Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100122102441.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100119133502.htm Circumcising newborn boys as a way to prevent HIV infection in later life is more cost-effective than circumcising adult males, finds a new Rwandan study. Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100119133502.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100119161801.htm The final step in the multidisciplinary approach of gender reassignment therapy in female-to-male transsexuals consists of the construction of a neophallus to allow the patient to void while standing and to have sexual experience after he is accustomed to his new voiding abilities. A new retrospective study evaluates the outcome in 129 female-to-male transsexuals after implantation of a hydraulic erectile prosthesis. Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100119161801.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100114153006.htm A new study from Zambia suggests that halting breastfeeding early causes more harm than good for children not infected with HIV who are born to HIV-positive mothers. Stopping breastfeeding before 18 months was associated with significant increases in mortality among these children, according to the study's findings. Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100114153006.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100118132134.htm Scientists have provided additional proof that withholding HIV treatments with proven benefits led to the death of 330,000 people in South Africa as the result of AIDS denialist policies. Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100118132134.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100119213134.htm Intensive home-based nursing in HIV/AIDS patients significantly improves self-reported knowledge of HIV, awareness of medications, and self-reported adherence to medication programmes, according to a new study. One home-based care trial included in the review also significantly impacted on HIV stigma, worry, and physical functioning. It did not, however, help improve depressive symptoms, mood, general health, and overall functioning. Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100119213134.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100114081200.htm A groundbreaking study of couples by researchers in Canada found more than half (56 percent) of young adults in a new sexual relationship were infected with human papillomavirus. Of those, nearly half (44 percent) were infected with an HPV type that causes cancer. Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100114081200.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100111091220.htm Two new studies show that protein bits produced by unusual "reading" of the HIV genome can induce immune responses. The information provided by these findings may prove useful during future HIV vaccine design efforts. Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100111091220.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100107132547.htm Frequent testing and treatment of infection does not reduce the prevalence of chlamydia in urban teenage girls, according to a long term study. Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100107132547.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100107151659.htm A new study has found that relatively young men with longstanding HIV infection and minimal cardiac risk factors had significantly more coronary atherosclerotic plaques -- some involving serious arterial blockage -- than did uninfected men with similar cardiovascular risk. Fri, 08 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100107151659.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100105100029.htm Sexual function in prostate cancer patients receiving external beam radiation therapy decreases within the first two years after treatment but then stabilizes and does not continuously decline as was previously thought, according to a new study. Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100105100029.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100106003617.htm Circumcision, which substantially lowers HIV risk in men, also dramatically changes the bacterial communities of the penis, according to a new study. Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100106003617.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100106193332.htm High antiretroviral therapy adherence, which is shown to be a major predictor of HIV disease progression and survival, is now associated with lower health care costs. Researchers examined the effect of antiretroviral therapy adherence on direct health care costs and found that antiretroviral therapy improves health outcomes for people infected with HIV, saving a net overall median monthly health care cost of $85 per patient. Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100106193332.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100101011830.htm A new study shows that erectile dysfunction was more common in older men with restless leg syndrome (RLS) than in those without RLS, and the magnitude of this association increased with a higher frequency of RLS symptoms. Sat, 02 Jan 2010 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100101011830.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091223094742.htm Modern, couple-oriented treatment for male sexual dysfunction takes the psychosocial aspects of sex into account, as well as focusing on the purely physical aspects of the problem. Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091223094742.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091214121527.htm Researchers are one step closer to developing a vaccine against the AIDS disease. They have found that a rabies virus-based vaccine administered to monkeys protected against the simian equivalent of the HIV virus (SIV). Sat, 26 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091214121527.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091214121436.htm Half of urban teenage girls may acquire at least one of three common sexually transmitted infections within two years of becoming sexually active, according to a new study. Sat, 26 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091214121436.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091215102101.htm Free infectious HIV-1 is widely thought to be the major form of the virus in the blood of infected persons. However researchers have demonstrated that essentially all of the infectious virus particles can bind to the surface of red blood cells isolated from each of 30 normal (non-infected) human donors. Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091215102101.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091222105303.htm Expanding Michigan State University's global health outreach, a team of researchers is working in the Dominican Republic to establish a model for HIV/AIDS care that can be exported to other resource-limited countries. The team, is treating patients and educating doctors at the Santo Domingo HIV/AIDS clinic. Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091222105303.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091218133315.htm Researchers and the general public have a new resource for information on the health and intimate relationships of older people, thanks to new research. Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091218133315.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091218094650.htm New university students might be thinking about exploring another rite of passage when they get to campus: the joy of sex. However, depending on their level of maturity, some students may find less joy than others. Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091218094650.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091215102105.htm Scientists seeking to understand how to make an AIDS vaccine have found the cause of a major roadblock. It turns out that the immune system can indeed produce cells with the potential to manufacture powerful HIV-blocking antibodies -- but at the same time, the immune system works equally hard to make sure these cells are eliminated before they have a chance to mature. Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091215102105.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091215101714.htm Visits to a gynecologist or midwife are generally associated with different tests and/or prescriptions for contraceptives, but could offer so much more. Women, doctors and midwives are agreed that gynecological visits presents great opportunities for dialogue about sexual health, reveals research from Sweden. Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091215101714.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091215102212.htm Researchers have that found routinely offering rapid HIV tests to patients in community health centers can significantly increase the number of patients screened for HIV. Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091215102212.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091208132732.htm Researchers have for the first time demonstrated that human blood stem cells can be engineered into cells that can target and kill HIV-infected cells -- a process that potentially could be used against a range of chronic viral diseases. The study provides proof-of-principle -- that is, a demonstration of feasibility -- that human stem cells can be engineered into the equivalent of a genetic vaccine. Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091208132732.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091208132730.htm Researchers have found that young adults engaging in casual sexual encounters do not appear to be at increased risk for harmful psychological outcomes as compared to sexually active young adults in more committed relationships. While this study focused on the psychological impact, researchers caution that the physical risks of casual sex should not be overlooked. Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091208132730.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091207164840.htm More than half of HIV patients experience memory problems and other cognitive impairments as they age, and doctors know little about the underlying causes. New research suggests HIV-related cognitive deficits share a common link with Alzheimer's-related dementia: low levels of the protein amyloid beta in the spinal fluid. Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091207164840.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091204092443.htm A new study found the chicken pox vaccine also reduces the risk of shingles among children. The study used electronic health records to identify and follow 172,000 vaccinated children for two-plus years and found that herpes zoster, known as shingles in adults, is very rare among children who have been vaccinated for chicken pox. This is the largest study of its kind. Sat, 05 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091204092443.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091130112415.htm A major obstacle to HIV research is the virus's exquisite specialization for its human host -- meaning that scientists' traditional tools, like the humble lab mouse, can deliver only limited information. Now, a team of researchers has made an ingenious assault on this problem by creating a mouse that has key features of HIV infection without being infected with HIV. Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091130112415.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091201152650.htm Controlling neglected tropical diseases in developing countries would help improve the reproductive health and rights of girls and women in the poorest countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, according to a new editorial. Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091201152650.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091130121447.htm Just because a vaccine is available doesn't mean people will choose to be inoculated, according to new research published amid widespread public confusion around the merit of H1N1 flu shots. Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091130121447.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091127124847.htm A rare parasitic disease, which normally only is transmitted by contaminated water, has been shown to be transmitted by gay sex between hiv-positive men. In the industrial world the disease is virtually absent, but that could change. Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091127124847.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091130112423.htm The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that well over one million people in the United States are infected with HIV/AIDS. New research shows that many of those infected are minorities and do not have health insurance, and highlights the need for a national strategy to facilitate education and prevention efforts in minority and low-income populations. Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091130112423.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119193938.htm New discoveries about anti-HIV antibodies may bring researchers a step closer to creating an effective HIV vaccine, according to a new paper. Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119193938.htm