Sexual Health

This is for men who don't want to father any more children. It's a form of permanent birth control. It stops sperm from getting into your ejaculatory fluid. You'll still be able to ejaculate, but the fluid won't contain sperm.

This is when a man has trouble getting or keeping an erection. It most often affects older men. It can be embarrassing. It might upset you. And, it's sometimes difficult to talk about.

Watch this video to learn self-care tips for safely recovering from a vasectomy.

This therapy is for men who have a low level of testosterone. That's a condition we call "low T." Testosterone is the male sex hormone. It plays a role in things like sex drive, bone mass and muscle mass. If your body isn't making enough testosterone on its own, TRT brings the level up to where it should be.

This is a sexually-transmitted disease. It affects the genitals, rectum and throat in men and in women. It's cured with medication.

This is a common viral infection. It can cause small sores that we call "cold sores" or "fever blisters." Usually, these form on or around the lips or in the mouth.

This is a common viral infection. It causes small sores on or around your genitals, your buttocks or your anal area. They can also form around your mouth.

This is a sexually transmitted disease. It's a serious problem for men and women. But it can be cured with medication.

An STI is an infection that is spread during sex. You can become infected with an STI if you have sex with someone who has an STI. Here's what you need to know about STI risk, prevention, symptoms, and more.

HIV causes AIDS. AIDS kills by making a person unable to fight off disease. There is no cure. HIV is passed from person to person. It is passed through body fluids. This includes blood, semen, and vaginal fluid. HIV can be passed from a pregnant mother to her unborn child.

Genital warts are also called condyloma. This disease is spread by skin-to-skin contact, mainly during sex. Genital warts are caused by a virus called Human Papilloma Virus or HPV.

Chlamydia is an infection spread through sex. It's common among young adults. Chlamydia is easy to treat, but you need the right medicine. You must get treated by a health care provider.

The only sure way to prevent sexually transmitted infections is to not have sex. But there are ways to make sex safer, such as using a latex condom each time you have sex. Read on to learn more.

Chlamydia infection is a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Because most people do not have symptoms, chlamydia may not be noticed until it causes severe problems. Left untreated, this STI can cause people to become sterile.

Syphilis is a very serious bacterial infection. Learn about symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

If you think you have an STI, getting a diagnosis and starting treatment right away is important.

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is transmitted sexually. Many women and some men who have gonorrhea don't have any signs or symptoms. Here's what you should know.

If you have herpes, you're not alone. Millions of Americans have it. Herpes has no cure. But you can control it and learn how to protect yourself and others from outbreaks.

Good hygiene matters when you have a herpes outbreak. Take care of your sores to speed healing. Sores that are not cared for correctly can lead to other infections.

Genital warts are caused by a virus that is often spread by sexual contact. The warts are often so tiny that they are hard to see. But even tiny warts can cause big trouble. Read on to learn more.

Genital HPV is often found during a routine exam. Read about how genital HPV is diagnosed and treated and how it can be prevented.

If you're having sex, or thinking about having sex, you need to know about sexually transmitted diseases or STDs. STDs can cause serious health problems. And not all can be cured. But there are ways to protect yourself and others.

Chlamydia is an STD (sexually transmitted disease) that spreads when body fluids are passed during sex. Signs of chlamydia are often absent or hard to notice. So get checked if you think you might have it. Chlamydia can be cured.

Remember: Any kind of sex puts you at risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Look for signs of STDs on you and your partner. Get checked if you're not sure. And if you do have an STD, get treated! Tell your partner so he or she can get checked, too.

Here are answers to common questions about STIs.

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It spreads when body fluids are passed during sex. Infections can occur in the genitals (vaginal sex), anus (anal sex), and throat (oral sex). You may have no symptoms. Or symptoms can be mild to very painful.

Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or sexually transmitted infection (STI). It causes painful outbreaks of blisters and sores. It spreads through contact with an infected area—usually a sore on the genitals, rectum, or mouth.

HIV weakens the parts of the body that fight off disease (the immune system). It spreads through body fluids passed during sex or through infected needles. When HIV starts to cause severe health problems, it's called AIDS. There's no cure for HIV or AIDS. But treatment called antiretroviral therapy can help you stay healthier longer.

HPV (human papilloma virus) spreads through skin contact. Some types of HPV cause genital warts. Other types put females at higher risk of cancer of the cervix. HPV is very common in all people. And it can't be cured. But there are treatments to remove warts. Tests can also help spot warning signs of cervical cancer.

The only sure way to prevent STIs (sexually transmitted infections) is not having any kind of sex. But if you do decide to have sex, take steps to protect yourself. Here's what you need to know.

Male sex organs are mostly outside the body (the genitals). This makes signs of certain STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) easier to spot. But STDs can also spread inside the body and damage the organs that allow you to father a child. This damage can sometimes cause sterility - meaning you won't be able to have kids. Also, men may have fewer symptoms of STDs than women. So pay attention to your body. Learn what's normal for you, and have any symptoms checked out.

In women, warning signs of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) can be hard to notice. That's because the sex organs outside the body (the genitals) aren't easy to see. STDs also often affect the organs inside the body that let you get pregnant. Damage to these organs can sometimes cause sterility - meaning you won't be able to have kids. So learn about your body. Find out what's normal for you. And be sure to have any changes or symptoms checked out.

Syphilis spreads through any kind of sexual contact. That is vaginal sex, anal sex, or oral sex. This sexually transmitted disease (STD) or infection (STI) has 3 stages. It gets worse with each stage. Syphilis can be cured. But early treatment is important. Left alone, it can cause lasting damage, like blindness. Syphilis can even cause death.

If both you and your partner have had sex only with each other for many years, you are not likely to be at risk for STIs. But if you have sex with more than one person, or recently had a new sex partner, this sheet is for you.

Herpes is a virus that can cause sores on the skin. There are 2 types of the virus. Depending on how you come in contact with the virus, either type can cause outbreaks near the mouth or on the sex organs.

Read on to learn about herpes sores and the tests you may need for diagnosis.

To speed healing, take care of open herpes sores. To reduce outbreaks, take care of your health. And to keep from infecting others, learn how to prevent spreading the virus.

HPV is a virus that causes warts. It can be hard to detect, so many people never even know they have it. Treating genital forms of HPV now can help prevent serious health problems in the future.

HPV is the virus that causes genital warts. Learning about HPV and its treatments can make you and your partner feel better.

A closer look at treating warts, from medicines to removing using lasers or surgery. Depending on where the warts are located, some treatments may work better than others.

By taking care of yourself, you can help your body fight against HPV. Regular visits with your healthcare provider, having a healthy immune system, and being aware of risks help you stay in control.

Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) is a procedure to help fix mitral valve regurgitation.

The only safe sex is no sex, most healthcare providers say. But certain precautions and safe behaviors can reduce a person's risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.

A gay male is a man who is attracted to other men. This is a deeply-held feeling. It can be physical. It can be emotional or romantic. The word "gay" isn't used only for men. Women who are attracted to women may also identify as "gay."

This word refers to people who aren't exactly "male" or "female." Their bodies naturally have features of both. For example, they may have male genitals on the outside, but female sex organs on the inside. Their genitals may have a blend of male and female features. And, they may have both male and female chromosome patterns.

A lesbian is a woman who is attracted to other women. This is a deeply-held feeling. It can be physical. It can be emotional or romantic. Lesbians are also called "gay," or "gay women." Some prefer these labels.

LGBTQ is an acronym that stands for "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (or "questioning"). It's for people who aren't heterosexual. It's also for people who don't identify with the sex they were assigned at birth. Let's go through each letter to learn about those in the LGBTQ community.

This is a broad label for sexual and gender minorities. A person who is "queer" may also identify in other ways. Some say they are "lesbian," "gay" or "bisexual." Some feel they belong to some other group. And, some may not want to be labeled at all.

Most of us are drawn to others. Our attractions may be physical. They may be emotional or romantic. To describe the types of attractions we feel, we use the term "sexual orientation."

This refers to people who feel the sex of their body doesn't match who they really are inside. This feeling begins early in life. It can be distressing and confusing. And often, others don't understand.

A pansexual is a person who can be attracted to anyone. The person may have physical, emotional or romantic feelings. They can like people of any sex or gender identity. They can like people of any sexual orientation. This doesn't mean they like every other person. But it means they possibly could like anyone.

Gay and lesbian teens are often targets of bullying, harassment, and aggression. Anti-gay bullying can range from verbal abuse, such as name-calling, to life-threatening physical assault. Here's what you need to know.

As a transgender person, you may have special health concerns. Being honest and open with your healthcare provider will help you get the best care possible.

You may not agree with the gender you were given at birth. You may instead feel like you are a different gender. If this mismatch between your own gender identity and that assigned at birth seriously upsets you, you may have gender dysphoria.

Phalloplasty is a gender-affirming surgery that creates a penis and scrotum. Here are details about the procedure and recovery.