I am 18 years old woman. Can you tell me which birth control method gives protection from HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases?

I am glad that you ask this important question. Young people often forget about these dangerous sexually transmitted infections.

The only methods of birth control which offer reliable protection from HIV and sexually transmitted diseases are the male and female condom.

Even if you use other contraceptives it is better to use a male or female condom to prevent the infections.

If you use latex condom use only water based lubricants. Fat based lubricants can spoil the condom and thus the protection.

Sharp finger nails have the danger of bursting the male condom and this happens often as you think.

Can you explain us the advantages and disadvantages of the oral emergency contraceptive pill?

The morning-after pill or oral emergency contraceptive pill is used to prevent pregnancy if the contraception is failed or was not used. The pill works for 3 days after sex but it works best within 12 hours. The hormone here present is levonorgestrel, a female-type hormone which is also present in many oral contraceptives.

In many countries these are prescription medicine and you have to consult with your doctor to get it. Many religions are against this because they interpret this sort of contraception is murder. In some of the countries it is over-the-counter medicine. The reason may be family planning. But, many misuse this without understanding all the effects; their aim is only to prevent pregnancy. We must educate the women exactly about the sexual relationship between men and women. A woman with good knowledge about sex health education will go for this very rarely. It is always to consult your doctor.

The morning-after pill prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg and alters the lining of the uterus so that a fertilized egg cannot embed there. It is very effective if it is used in time. IT WILL NOT HELP IF YOU ARE ALREADY PREGNANT.

It is used by women who have had unprotected sex or to help rape victims, couples who had condom break or women who had sex without her knowledge under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The side effects include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Tender breasts
• Irregular bleeding
• Diarrhoea
• Dizziness
• Stomach pain
• Tiredness

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Levonorgestrel: Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); severe and persistent lower stomach pain; missed menstrual period; spotting instead of your usual period.

Pregnancy is also a side effect of the morning-after pill.

Although 72 hours are given the problem starts after 24 hours or if the person had more than once sex. The rest risk for a pregnancy is always there.

But the threat to the society comes from the HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections. If you are infected you can infect your partner and also your children. Unprotected sex can spoil your life. If you are active in sexual life keep always condom with you.

To know more about sex health education including complete contraceptive methods read my book “Sexual Abuse of Children and Sex Health Education”. It is available as an e-book. Visit www.aaronverlag.com for further information.

Survey reveals low level of condom consciousness. Aarti Dhar

Fndings also underscore the limited awareness on most sexual and reproductive matters
Leading sources of information on sexual matters were friends and the media

NEW DELHI: Less than one in three women know that a condom can be used just once, and just one in six know that a condom cannot disappear into a woman’s body.

These are some of the findings of “Youth in India: Situation and Needs,” a study carried out by the Indian Institute of Population Sciences and the Population Council, and released here on Saturday.
The findings show that just 46 per cent of young men and 24 per cent of young women were aware that a condom cannot disappear inside a woman’s body. Only 31 per cent of young men and 25 per cent of young women felt that condoms do not reduce sexual pleasure.
Marital status affects condom consciousness, with 57 per cent married young men compared to 44 per cent unmarried young men being aware that condoms cannot slip off the man and disappear into a woman’s body; the corresponding percentages among young women were 29 and 17 .
The findings also underscore the limited awareness young people have of most sexual and reproductive matters with only 37 per cent of young men and 45 per cent of young women being aware that a woman could get pregnant in her first sexual encounter, and 19 and 15 per cent respectively of young men and women reporting awareness of sexually transmitted infections other than HIV.
Leading sources of information on sexual matters, according to the study, were friends and the media for both young men and women. In contrast, just 10 per cent of young men and women cited teachers and 3-7 per cent cited health care providers as a source of information; just 2 and 9 per cent of young men and women respectively cited family members.
Teachers and health care providers were relatively infrequently reported as sources of information on contraception.
The study further points out that only 15 per cent of respondents had attended sex education programmes either in or outside the school setting, notwithstanding the Adolescence Education Programme, the School AIDS Education Programme, the Red Ribbon Clubs and special programmes for out-of-the-school youth.
Speaking on the occasion, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen stressed the need for education on sexual and reproductive matters. Basic schooling can be central to human security as illiteracy and innumeracy are forms of insecurity themselves, he said.
Significant barrier
When people are illiterate, their ability to understand and invoke their legal rights can be very limited. This can be a significant barrier for illiterate women to make use even of the rather limited rights that they do actually have. Importantly, it can also muffle the political voice, Prof. Sen said. “The removal of survival disadvantages of women, the reduction of child mortality and moderating influences on fertility rates are all among the basic issues involved in removing the “downside risks” that threaten life and dignity,” he said.
The study was carried out in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu in 2006-07, and is based on interviews of over 51,000 individuals.
The Hindu online edition, 21.02.2010
http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/21/stories/2010022156861800.htm

What are the evils of sex tourism?

Imagine one books his holidays, two to three weeks, mostly in a developing country and at the same time he books also a virgin child for these weeks.

This child is a sex slave, so to speak, to this person for this time without any rights. This is an inhuman evil in the sexual abuse of a child. If he has HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases, child might get that too.

Some countries like Germany punish their citizens if the issue comes out in the open, and the local police could also take action. If one observes such things it is better to inform the police immediately. But many hotels tolerate this to get guests and a regular unannounced control will help here to control this evil. The black market is flourishing and poverty and big quick money make it possible for such worst decisions of the families to send their daughters and sons for this horrible work.

This evil damages the body as well as the mind of the child for its rest of life. It is very difficult for them later in their life to develop normal contact to their better half.

Yes, boys are also sexually abused in sex tourism. When I asked a person known to me how it is possible in her country, the straight answer was that many families think it is better to send the son than spoiling the daughter.

To stop this evil every individual can do his best. Keep your eyes open and if something unwanted happens inform the police immediately.

Children are the wealth of our earth and it is our duty to prevent this evil.

For further details read my book “Sexual Abuse of Children and Sex Health Education” published in Aaron Verlag Publishers Private Limited. The original is in English and the Tamil translation is also available. It is also available as e-book. For further particulars visit www.aaronverlag.com.

Can you explain me the viral infection?

A virus is a small infectious micro organism; it is much smaller than a fungus or bacterium. It needs a cell to replicate. The virus attaches to a cell, make entrance in it and releases inside the cell its DNA or RNA, takes control of the cell and forces it to replicate the virus. The infected cell dies and releases new viruses which go on to infect other cells.

Some viruses do not kill the host cells, but instead alter the functions and sometimes the infected cell loses control over normal cell division and becomes cancerous. Some viruses have their genetic material in the host cell, where it remains idle for an extended time, the so called latent infection. When the cell is disturbed, the virus may begin replicating again and causes disease.

Viruses infect usually one particular type of cell; i. e. cold viruses infect only cells of the upper respiratory tract. Some infect plants or animals, some human beings, but they commonly infect infants and children.

Viruses are spread or transmitted in several ways, some are inhaled, some swallowed and others are spread by the bites of insects and other parasites, for example, mosquitoes and ticks. The very dangerous are the infections which are spread sexually, e.g. HIV infection. Safer sex is the only alternative.

Is circumcision necessary?

Till 2005 it was not considered medically necessary. But in recent times, the practice of newborn circumcision is going up. 60 to 75% of males are circumcised in the United States. The percentage varies depending upon the ethnic groups and religion.

The main reason for this change is that several large studies showed that a 60% decrease in HIV transmission in circumcised males compared to uncircumcised males. This has influence in the decision of parents for newborn circumcision.

The circumcised penis is easier to keep clean. An uncircumcised boy must be taught properly how to clean his penis gently but thoroughly. This must happen mostly when the boys are three years old. Before that the retraction may not be possible and this is normal. Uncircumcised boys get more urinary tract infections. This is significant in infants. The reason is that circumcision prevents the growth of bacteria under the foreskin.

Uncircumcised men have higher risk of sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis, herpes simplex type-2 and human papillomavirus. It is the case with HIV infection also. Gonorrhoea and inflammation of the urethra are less common in circumcised men.

Less infection with human papilomavirus means the partner is also partially safe from cervical cancer. Penis cancer comes exclusively to uncircumcised men.

Circumcision increases the risk of the inflammation of the opening of the penis.

Condom

Condom is made of very thin latex rubber or plastic. A condom fits over the penis and can be used to prevent pregnancy as well as to prevent HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). It works by stopping sperm from reaching the eggs.

It is easily available in medical shops or family planning centres or even in youth organizations. Unlike many other contraception condoms does not have any side effects including physical or psychological effects. It can tear and break by accident and mostly the long nails can damage it. It can also slip off the penis.

Persons who have latex allergy must avoid the latex condom and can try with plastic.

If you use condom use only water based creams and fat based like Vaseline can dissolve the latex condoms.

The condom is 99% safe and effective if it is used properly.

The birth control pill or oral contraceptive pill

The oral contraceptives contain different levels of estrogens and progesterone or progesterone alone. It is prescribed by the family doctor after considering the family history and medical records of the woman. These pills stop the ovaries from releasing eggs every month. They also make the lining of the uterus thinner so that the fertilized egg could not attach there.

The disadvantages are that the pill must be taken everyday without any break. Even if you have vomiting or diarrhoea the effect of the pill is gone and you can become pregnant. If you forget to take the pill for a day then also the risk of pregnancy is there. Every year you need three months interval for the regeneration of the hormone household of your body, otherwise infertility may be the result. There are many side effects from these hormone pills.

Side effects:

If you have the following symptoms, go to your doctor and talk to him. These include severe headache, severe vomiting, speech problems, dizziness, faintness, weakness or numbness of arms or legs, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, crushing chest pain or chest heaviness, double vision, partial or complete loss of vision, bulging eyes, pain, warmth or heaviness in the back of the lower leg, severe stomach pain, jaundice, loss of appetite, extreme tiredness, weakness or lack of energy, fever, dark urine, pale stool, swelling of the hands, feet, joints and lower legs, mood changes and depression, unusual bleeding, skin rash and menstrual bleeding which is unusually heavy or that lasts more than 7 days in a row.

The other side effects are nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps or bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, swelling of the gum, increased or decreased appetite, brown or black skin patches, acne, hair growth in unusual places, white vaginal discharge, swelling, redness, irritation, burning or itching of the vagina, breast tenderness, enlargement or discharge, painful or missed menstruation, changes in menstrual flow, bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods, weight gain or weight loss and difficulty in wearing contact lenses.

Oral contraceptives may increase the risk of developing liver tumours and breast or liver cancer. The risk of getting a heart attack, a stroke or a serious blood clot may also be increased. Consult with your doctor about these serious effects.

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious side effects from oral contraceptives, including heart attacks, blood clots and strokes. If you are older than 35 years or smoke 15 or more cigarettes per day, then the risk is higher. If you take birth control pills, you should not smoke.

Caution:

Oral contraceptives will work only as long as they are taken regularly. You may need to use a backup method of birth control if you vomit or have diarrhoea when you are taking this drug. You can consult your doctor to choose the correct backup method and for other advices.

The women who have family histories of diabetes, high blood pressure, migraines, blood clots and breast cancer should not take this. It is same with the progesterone-only pill also. Although both pills are 99% effective if taken properly these are not suitable for women who change their partners often because they give no protection from HIV virus and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

The patch - it is a big plaster with hormones of the combined pill oestrogen and progesterone and is applied on the skin. The hormones reach the blood through the skin. Apart from the side effects of the birth control pill here is the possibility of red skin and rash are there.

The advantages and disadvantages are the same as the birth control pill. The same precaution should also be taken as the oral pills.

This a prescription drug, but in India…..

Pulling out before ejaculation – the most frequently asked question from teenagers and young women in our whole world

Pulling out the penis before ejaculation does not lead to pregnancy, is it correct?

This is the most frequently asked question from teenagers and young women in the world. The young man tries to convince the young woman that she will not become pregnant if he pulls out before ejaculation and many believe also in course of time this.

The woman can still become pregnant because the lubrication fluid from the penis can contain few sperms and this is enough to make her pregnant.
The chance of getting HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are also high and never accept this argument.

There are some other myths and every woman must know this clearly.

Sex and pregnancy - you cannot predict anything because your psychology also plays a vital role.

Some of the myths include:

• She has her first sexual intercourse, so no chance of pregnancy – here also she can become pregnant
• Sex during her periods – she can become pregnant. It may be because sperm can stay alive for 3 to 5 days in a warm and moist environment
• Sex in the standing position – she can become pregnant because sperm can swim in any direction

There are as such no safer days during the menstrual cycle and a woman can become pregnant at any time.

Whether a Western girl in her puberty or an Indian woman with two children needs contraception it is always better to consult the gynaecologist for the right type of contraceptive method for her.

Hookah

What is hookah smoking?

Hookah smoking is a rapidly growing form of tobacco use worldwide.

Narghile or bong or hookah or water-pipe smoking, where the principle of smoking is the same, has been extensively practised in India, in the Middle East and other countries for more than 400 years, with a recent rebirth of this, predominantly among youth. 25% of youth at the age of 13 to 15 smoke water-pipes today in Germany. It is also a problem for the youth in USA and other countries.


Is it used only to smoke tobacco?

Hookah is generally used to smoke tobacco, cannabis or other substances. As you see the danger of coming in contact with cannabis is there always.

What is the difference between cigarette smoking and hookah smoking?

There are two main differences between cigarette and hookah smoking. Water-pipe cool the smoke before it enters the person’s lungs, it makes then easier to smoke and a large amount of smoke is inhaled quickly than the smaller, more frequent inhalation cigarette smoking.

The components of the tobacco used are variable and not well standardized and the result is high amount of aerosol in water-pipe smoke as well as other substances including cadmium.

What are the health risks of hookah smoking?

It is a health risk because you smoke there tobacco or cannabis or other substances or drugs which may be more dangerous, but the significant health risk is associated with pipe sharing with all possible severe infections.

Could you compare the hookah smoke with cigarette smoke?

It is very difficult to standardise these values, but with the available data it is possible to compare them. Hookah smoke contains high amount of nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide and heavy metals.

The nicotine content of hookah is 2% to 4% compared to 1% to 3% in cigarette smoke and the amount of carbon monoxide is 0.34% to 1.4% in hookah smoke and 0.41% in cigarette smoke.

The levels of lead, arsenic and chromium are also high in hookah smoke.

Moreover, hookah is smoked sometimes hours together so that the quantity of the poison gone to the blood is also more.

How could one inhale so much of smoke without any problem?

Hookah smoke is moisturized and this allows to smoke and inhale deeply without irritation.

What are the possible infections?

The possible infections include tuberculosis, herpes simplex, helicobacter pylori, hepatitis C, Ebstein-Barr virus, pulmonary aspergillosis, respiratory viruses and HIV.

My friends say it contains fewer toxins than cigarette smoke because the smoke in hookah is filtered through the water, is it correct or not?

It is wrong and it is a common misconception to make it acceptable to the society and never believe it.

What is your last word about hookah smoking?

Mouths away from this hookahs because in several places or in parties alcohol, illicit drugs like cocaine or amphetamine or other psychoactive drugs also mixed, I tell you, this is dangerous for your health and could lead to your downfall for ever.

What should be done?

Educate the youth about the danger of this and drugs abuse in geneal. If you do it in a proper way we could convince them. It is the duty of our parents, educational institutions, doctors and all other who always boast to have influence in our society.

To know more about all the abused drugs in our world read Dr. Kaniappan Padmanaban's Book "Drugs Abuse". For further information www.aaronverlag.com

Drugs Abuse - What are the substances abused?

Medicines we need to become healthy when you are sick. Only necessary minimum amount must be taken. Never forget, all the chemicals are poisons. The dose makes the poison. Many drugs have the potential of addiction. Ask your doctor clearly before you take any medicine about the side effects and addiction potential.

There are substances from different groups which are abused and they include:

• Alcohol

• Nicotine (tobacco)

• Caffeine

• Natural plant substances from mushroom

• Heroin

• Cocaine

• Designer drugs including ecstasy

• Amphetamine/methamphetamine

• Ketamine

• LSD

• Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)

• Phencyclidine (PCP)

• Cannabis (marijuana or hashish or THC)

• Anabolic steroids (doping substances)

• Prescription medicines or tablets

• Flunitrazepam, date rape drug

• Inhalants (organic solvents)

Say “No” to all drugs