Can that wart get down there? Learn the facts! | Source: ShutterStock

If you have warts on your finger can you pass them to your vagina?

ChickRx expert Bob Smithing, Family Nurse Practitioner, says:

First, let’s discuss what warts are. Warts are skin growths. They can vary in color–from gray to brown to pink–and size–anywhere from a small pebble size to an eraser.

Warts are caused by viruses in the human papillomavirus (HPV) family. Yep, that HPV. Here’s the thing though, the HPV viruses that cause warts on your fingers are different strains than the HPV viruses that cause warts on your genitals.

So, it would be very unlikely that you could transfer a wart from your foot or finger to your vagina.

But, that doesn’t mean that warts on your finger aren’t contagious. The virus from one wart can go to other spots on your body or even to another person’s body. You can infect yourself again by touching the wart and then touching another part of your body. And if you share razors, towels or other personal items with a friend, you can transfer warts between the two of you.

And of course you know how genital warts are spread–through sex. Be safe when you have sex.

Both genital and common warts can be treated with medication. If you think you have either, check in with a doctor for treatment.

Got more questions? Post them in the comments below or head on over to ChickRx.com.

Everything You Need To Know On Incurable Gonorrhea

Follow Us On Twitter!

Are you in the know about testosterone? | Source: Shutterstock

The thing is though, that doesn’t really give a complete picture of what testosterone actually is and what it does or even who has it. Because believe it or not, your body makes testosterone too!

Now, there is definitely a reason that testosterone is often associated with men, since testosterone is a hormone produced in their testes and responsible for many of the changes that guys go through during puberty. From that point on, guys keep producing testosterone (though not always at the same level).

Though guys’ bodies have more testosterone present than girls’ bodies, women’s bodies do still produce it! Ovaries produce the hormone in smaller amounts and it actually plays a role in a variety of functions, such as affecting a woman’s sex drive and keeping bones and muscles in healthy condition. The genetic medical condition where women happen to have higher testosterone levels is called hyperandrogenism.

When it comes to women and testosterone, you may have heard in the news about issues going on for female athletes. The Olympic Committee’s regulations allow them to make women they deem have “excessive” ineligble to compete. The issue is that there’s not evidence to back up their claims that too much testosterone puts those women at an unfair advantage and it also targets women who “look like” they’d have more testosterone (which leads to a lot of potential for discrimination based on appearance).

Later in life, testosterone may be prescribed for women during menopause. There is also some evidence that it could help with bone issues as a result from osteoporosis.

Did you know that women have testosterone too? Did you learn something new about what testosterone does? Tell us in the comments!

What Is Estrogen?

Follow Us On Twitter!

Yikes! What is that? | Source: ShutterStock

How can I tell the difference between a cold sore and a canker sore?

ChickRx expert Evelyn Resh, Certified Sexuality Counselor and Nurse Midwife, says:

This is a great and important question and I’m sure a lot of people wonder this. So, I’m really glad you asked.

Both a cold sore and a canker sore appear somewhere in or on the oral cavity, which means your mouth. The difference is that a cold sore is caused by the oral herpes virus and a canker sore is caused by other viral infections.

Some differences are that canker sores are generally on your tongue, while cold sores are most often on the lips, side of the mouth, or even immediately beneath the nostrils. Canker sores are very small and very tender and are present for only a few days. Cold sores can last ten days or longer. Canker sores are super sensitive to both cold and hot things and they’re even sensitive to salty sweet foods.

Also interestingly, many people contract oral herpes before the age of five. This typically happens because they have either been kissed on the face or mouth by an adult who has a cold sore and doesn’t realize how contagious it is or from kissing a classmate or sharing food with a friend who has a sore.

If you have oral herpes, it’s critical to remember that unless you are completely free of sores–and I mean completely free, not even a scab on your mouth–don’t kiss a sex partner’s mouth or genitals. You could spread the virus to them. Wait until the sore is completely gone, scab and all, before resuming intimate contact.

There is treatment for herpes that can reduce transmission and shorten the time of the outbreak. These are viral-suppressing drugs that are helpful, especially for people with frequent outbreaks.

I hope the above was helpful. But, if you’re still wondering about your mouth sore, I’d say go to a doctor for an official diagnosis and treatment.

Got more questions? Post them in the comments below or head on over to ChickRx.com.

Can you really be friends with an ex?

Follow Us On Twitter!

Source: ShutterStock

I’ve always heard that one of the biggest appeals of smoking cigarettes is because they supposedly help relieve stress. My smoker friends are constantly telling me that breathing in a steady stream of nicotine helps them calm down, relax and feel stress-free for at least a few minutes. In fact, one of the main reasons people start smoking to begin with is to help with anxiety. But guess what? Everyone is apparently wrong, according to a new study.

A recent British study on 500 smokers discovered that smoking doesn’t relieve stress – quitting smoking relieves stress. Researchers studied 500 smokers before and after they quit and found that the people who quit had less stress than those who tried to quit but failed. Bam – another reason you should never start smoking. Or, if you’re already a smoker, this is another reason why you should quit.

Look, I totally understand the idea that smoking helps you feel more relaxed. But I understand even more how quitting can actually help you feel more relaxed, not to mention better about yourself. I’m a little ashamed to admit this, but I was a big social smoker when I was in college. I was never addicted and I very rarely smoked a cigg on my own, by myself – it was mostly when I was out with friends and they were all puffing away. But after a while, I started to believe smoking cigarettes calmed me down, and I started smoking more often. Whenever I was upset, angry or feeling super anxious, I would reach for a cigarette because I thought they made me feel better.

Looking back, I realize that the cigarettes weren’t making me feel better. They were actually making me feel really light-headed and kind of out of it, which is never a good thing, and I associated that with feeling more relaxed. What was making me feel better? The few minutes of peace and quiet I got while smoking – not the cigarette itself.

When I made the decision to stop smoking entirely a few years ago, I instantly felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. Not only are cigarettes extremely bad for your health, but they’re also really expensive! When I was smoking, I was constantly worried about what I was doing to my lungs or how much I was spending on packs of them. Also? I was always stressed over whether or not my parents were going to catch me. Once I stopped, I felt so much better about myself. So I can completely understand this study and I definitely believe that it’s true.

I know the idea of cigarettes can be alluring to some people, especially if you think of them as a stress reliever. But girls, trust me, there are so many other ways to get rid of stress that are fun and aren’t threatening to your health. The idea that smoking a cigarette is calming you down is all in your head. If you ever feel the urge to smoke a cigarette to deal with your anxiety, try something else instead: take a walk, scream into a pillow, do some yoga, play a video game. Anything but smoking. How many more times do we need to be told they aren’t doing us any good before we stop smoking them entirely?

Do you smoke cigarettes? Have you ever smoked them? Do you think they really do relieve stress? Tell me in the comments. 

10 ways to relieve stress that are actually fun

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter

You would so not ace this on Jeopardy! | Source: Shutterstock

* Estrogen is a group of hormones produced by ovaries, adrenal glands, and male testes (yes, dudes have estrogen, too!)

* Girls and women have a far greater amount of estrogen than men do, as estrogen helps the development and maintenance of the female reproductive system, and helps regulate your period.

* Estrogen is also pretty important for bone health, which is why guys have it, too.

* Low estrogen levels can make you more prone to anxiety or mood disorders–high levels can help you deal better in stressful situations.

* Birth control pills contain estrogen, mimicking the increased amount of estrogen the female body produces during pregnancy.

Are you on birth control to regulate your hormones? Did you know that guys have estrogen, too? Tell us in the comments!

More On Hormones Right Here!

Follow Us On Twitter!

Yikes! This should not be your sex face. | ShutterStock

Sex isn’t something new for me, but lately it’s been painful. Why could this be happening?

ChickRx expert Dr. Kathy McMahon, Clinical Psychologist & Diplomate of Sex Therapy says:

Thanks for writing in. And sorry that sex has been painful for you recently. Sex is something that should be pleasurable, so let’s try and figure out what’s going on and get to the bottom of this sex pain.

I can think of three reasons sex could suddenly start to hurt.

The first cause is what some would call a “bruised vulva.” Your vulva, the outer part of your genitals, can get bruised just like any other part of your body. This can happen from a number of causes–like hitting a hard bump when you’re on a bike or even from sex. The nerves and muscle of your vulva tissue get bruised, but you might not notice right away. Sexual arousal and penetration could cause swelling, which would would irritate your injury and make the bruise more sensitive. The solution here is time. A vulva bruise will heal, just like any other bruise. You might just want to take a break from sex until it does.

The second issue you might be facing is called vulvodynia, which is a burning in your genital region. There are many causes and possible cures for vulvodynia. The issue that I’ve come across most regularly is actually caused by particularly alkaline urine, which basically means the acid levels in the urine are off. The urine splashes up from toileting and creates irritation. One woman I worked with found that taking 1 to 2 grams of calcium ascorbate (a form of Vitamin C) help ease her pain. If you think you could have vulvodynia, I’d recommend going to a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Another potential reason is that some women have a hymen that is particularly thick and tough. This will make her first intercourse painful. Following this, there is often little or no pain for quite some time. Then, about a year afterward, the remaining tissue of the now broken hymen gets scarred from repeated intercourse, and eventually stops stretching. This scar tissue could be what’s causing the pain. Again, the fix for this involves going to the doctor for a closer look.

I know that I said it a few times above, but please check in with a doctor. He or she will be able to diagnose you and get you back on the path to pleasurable, pain-free sex!

Got more questions? Post them in the comments below or head on over to ChickRx.com.

Skipping sex ex could lead to sex addiction.

Follow Us On Twitter!

Yikes! It’s no where as bad as this looks! | ShutterStock

What is a pap smear? What actually happens during a Pap test?

ChickRx expert Evelyn Resh, Certified Sexuality Counselor & Nurse Midwife says:

Great questions and I’m really glad you asked them.

Going to the gynecologist can be a scary thing if you don’t know what to expect. But once you know the info, it’s far less scary. And once you actually go, you’ll realize that it’s not scary at all.

After your doctor has checked your thyroid gland in your neck, listened to your lungs and heart, done a breast exam and an abdominal exam, he or she will have you remain laying down and then get ready to do your Pap smear.

The first step is to get you into position. There are stirrup-like foot rests on either side of the exam table that you will put your feet into. Your buttocks will need to be at the very edge of the exam table to do this. Your legs have to be spread apart for the exam. As weird as stirrups look, do your best to relax. The exam is much more comfortable if you’re relaxed.

Now that you’re in position, your doctor will first simply look at your external genitals to see if their appearance is normal. Then, a vaginal speculum (a devise designed to open the vagina) will be inserted into your vagina and opened. This will allow your doc to view the inside of the vagina and take a collection of cells from your cervix. This collection of cells is the actual Pap smear.

Most women have very little sensation in their cervix and don’t really feel their Pap smear being done. And even if you do feel it, it isn’t painful. After this, the speculum is closed and pulled out.

The cells collected from the Pap smear will be tested for any abnormalities. This test can help catch the problem cells that lead to cervical cancer.

After the Pap smear, two well lubricated fingers are inserted into your vagina while placing the opposite hand on your lower abdomen and pushing down. This enables the examiner to feel the shape and size of your uterus and to make sure there are no abnormalities on your ovaries and Fallopian tubes.

Once that’s over, that’s it! That’s your entire pelvic exam, Pap smear at all.

I suggest you make a point of telling your doctor that this is your first exam and ask him or her to let you know everything he or she is doing to do BEFORE it’s done. This is a totally normal request for a first timer to the gynecologist.

Got more questions? Post them in the comments below or head on over to ChickRx.com.

Is The Really A Love Potion?

Follow Us On Twitter!

A little talk & some tricks can make a whole lot sex better. | ShutterStock

What can I do if my boyfriend doesn’t last long enough during sex? How can I get him to last longer in bed?

ChickRx expert Amy Levine, Sex Coach & Sexuality Educator, says:

First, know that this is a common problem among guys, especially young men and teens who are new to sex. This isn’t anything he or you should be very worried about. However, I understand that a little more endurance during sex can make the experience much more pleasurable for both of you. So, let’s get to troubleshooting.

Start off by talking about it with him. To fix a problem, especially one in bed, you need to address it. And if you’re going to be trying new techniques to change his staying power, you need to clue him into what you’re up to.

This is obviously a very touchy subject and you should approach it very delicately. I might throw it out there casually like, “Hey, I read about this thing that can make us last longer when we’re having sex. Want to try it?” This doesn’t put the blame on him or his performance and makes trying something new sound fun and easy. Of course, you know what will work best with your guy though. So, bring it up however feels right to you.

Ok, now onto solutions. You could switch out your normal condom for one with added climax control lubricant like Extended Pleasure by Trojan or Performax by Durex. These really do help guys last longer.

Many AASECT-certified sex experts–like myself–can help guys with premature ejaculation, which is what it’s called when a guy orgasms and ejaculates earlier than he’d like. Our role is to gain insight into the situation and help retrain their minds and bodies through conversation and activities that are done alone or with a partner at home.

These techniques often include understanding how to identify sensations leading up to the “point of no return” (the time when a guy realizes he’s about to orgasm and ejaculation is inevitable) and developing the ability to control his arousal.

One tactic I suggest regularly is called the stop-start method. This method requires him to stop the in-and-out motion before he has the feeling he is going to climax, and start again once it subsides.

Another approach, called the squeeze method, works by applying pressure at the base of his shaft or the corona (ridge under the head of the penis) with the thumb and index finger before climax is imminent.

Also, a doctor can prescribe medications to help with premature ejaculation. This is really a last resort and, like I said above, probably isn’t needed if your guy’s issue is more inexperience and being new to sex than an actual medical problem. I suggest talking and trying one of the three methods I listed above before seeking medical help.

Got more questions? Post them in the comments below or head on over to ChickRx.com.

Secret Relationship Advice: 7 Secrets You Need To Keep

Follow Us On Twitter!

Can acne medication like Accutane cause suicide? | Source: ShutterStock

Accutane used to a prescription-only oral acne medication in the U.S., and it was supposed to only be prescribed for the most severe cases of acne as a total last resort. But after reports of Accutane users becoming depressed and committing suicide grew more and more rampant, the drug was pulled from the market. There were also a slew of lawsuits against Roche, the company behind Accutane, for causing “inflammatory bowels.” You can imagine how pleasant that would be. (Ew.)

However, Accutane is still sold overseas. A new epidemic of Accutane-related suicide cases have risen in the U.K., and there are cries to pull the medication–known there as Roaccutane–from pharmacies.

This may seem like it doesn’t have too much of an effect on you if you live in the states, but it does. It’s really easy to buy medications like Accutane online without a prescription. You might be tempted to try it out if your own acne treatments from your dermatologist don’t do the trick. Please don’t. Not only is it illegally, but it’s so dangerous, because you have no one to go to if you have weird side effects like depression or worse. Clear skin is not worth your life!

Have you ever had bad experiences with Accutane? Do you know anyone who’s been suicidal because of Accutane? Do you think Accutane causes suicide or that there’s more to the story than that? Do you think Accutane was rightfully pulled from shelves? Tell us in the comments!

What do guys think of girls with acne? Find out!

And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

Can unprotected sex ever be safe? | Source: ShutterStock

I just started seeing this guy and we both got tested for STDs and came back clean. (PHEW!) I’m on the pill and thinking of having sex without a condom. Is it safe? Are there some STDs that might not show up or be too new in him to show up on the test?

ChickRx expert Dr. Mandi Beman, Ob/Gyn says:

PHEW is right! That is good news that your std tests came back negative. You should always get tested for STDs before sexual contact and have your partner do the same. So, good work.

The bad news is that there are several STDs, such as HIV and herpes, that can take several weeks before they will show up positive on a test. So, a clean STD test doesn’t necessarily mean a green light for disease free unprotected sex. For example, if he contracted herpes from unprotected sex on Monday and got tested on Tuesday, he would likely test negative for herpes when in reality he has the virus and can transmit it to you. And diseases like HIV and herpes aren’t diseases you want to take risks with.

My advice is to wear a condom any and every time you have sex. Also, the pill is very effective for birth control when taking properly, but using a condom as well definitely can’t hurt for pregnancy prevention.

And remember, while condoms do significantly decrease your risk of contracting an STD and are the smartest choice you can make for birth control and STD prevention, they do not erase your risk entirely. Condoms are not 100% effective in preventing STDs. The only true way to protect yourself is abstinence. And you should take an STD test even when you’re having sex with a condom.

More from ChickRx:
Where exactly can I get HPV?

Got more questions? Post them in the comments below or head on over to ChickRx.com.

Flirting tips from a very, very lazy girl!

Follow Us On Twitter!