Sexual Risks: Myth or Fact? Cont.

11.The risks associated with contracting herpes are serious.
FACT. Herpes is a virus that can cause painful sores on the mouth, genitals or anus. Once contracted, it cannot be cured. Women with herpes may have a greater risk of developing cancer of the cervix and should have a Pap smear (medical test done during a pelvic exam) every year. Herpes can also cause brain damage or death in infants who are infected with the virus during the birth process. Women who have herpes must not deliver a child vaginally if, at the time of delivery, they have any active herpes lesions or sores on the genitals or in the birth canal.

12.Once a man is aroused and has an erection, he must ejaculate either through intercourse or masturbation to avoid the risk of harmful physical effects.
MYTH. No harm occurs if a man does not ejaculate after he gets an erection. Semen does not back up in his testicles and cause infection or disease. A man might feel some discomfort and heaviness in his testicles if he is sexually excited for a long period of time without ejaculating. Some people call this condition “blue balled.” Any discomfort will disappear eventually.

13.A woman is not at risk of pregnancy unless a man ejaculates inside her vagina.
MYTH. If a man ejaculates near the opening to a woman's vagina or touches her vulva while he has semen on his fingers, it is possible for sperm to find their way inside and fertilize an ovum. Women have become pregnant without ever actually having intercourse. Some STDs and HIV infection can be transmitted if there is an exchange of body fluids, with or without penetration.

14.There is still a significant risk of HIV transmission with condoms, since the pores in the latex are large enough for the virus to pass through.
MYTH. Some groups have reported inaccurate research findings that suggest HIV can pass through latex condoms, but that is not true. The reports were meant to scare teens and adults into thinking condoms would not help prevent the spread of HIV infection. In fact, standard tests show that water molecules, which are five times smaller than HIV, cannot pass through a latex condom. However, lambskin condoms have much larger pores that can allow HIV and other STDs to pass through, so they should not be used for protection.

15.A person infected with an STD has a greater risk of HIV infection.
FACT. HIV can enter the bloodstream when blood or other body fluids come in contact with any open sore. The lesions caused by STDs such as herpes or syphilis provide a possible entry point for the virus and put a person at much greater risk of HlV infection.

16.The only drugs that increase the risk of HIV infection are those that are injected with a needle and syringe.
MYTH. Sharing needles or works with other people increases a person's chances of getting infected with HIV. In addition, however, use of any drugs, including alcohol, increases the likelihood that a person will be uninhibited enough to take sexual risks, like having intercourse without a condom, or having sex with several partners. Unprotected intercourse always puts a person at risk of HIV infection.

17.The risk of HIV is greater if a woman has sex while she is menstruating.
FACT. The blood of a woman infected with HIV carries the virus. During menstruation, her sexual partner must not have any contact with the menstrual blood and will be safest by avoiding contact with the vagina during a woman's menstrual period.