A service provided by the BC Centre for Disease Control
In the years since SmartSexResource launched, we have developed a library of questions asked by you, and answered by our expert sexual health nurses.
Our answered questions library cover a broad range of sexual health topics and common questions we hear at our clinics.
I recommend you seek medical attention at a walk in clinic and I can also refer you to the Willow Women’s Clinic where you can discuss options regarding your IUD. Below I provided you with the link.
Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). It is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
There are over 100 types of HPV. About 40 of them can affect the anus/rectum, genitals and less commonly, the mouth and throat. HPV is sexually transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. This includes sexual contact such as, genitals rubbing together, penetrative sex (vaginal/internal genital or anal/rectal intercourse), oral sex, sharing sex toys, and hands on genitals. HPV may still be present even if there are no visible warts or when the warts are gone. Wearing condoms can help to reduce, but not eliminate the chances of passing HPV from one partner to another.
For the majority of people, the virus will clear the body on its own without causing symptoms/warts or problems.
For those who do get symptoms (genital warts), most of these will eventually go away with or without having them treated, often within 18-24 months. Once your genital warts are gone, this does not mean the HPV infection is gone or cured. Genital warts can come back and you can get HPV again from a partner who has it.
There are now vaccines that protect against the more common HPV types. The vaccine will not help you get rid of HPV if you already have it, but it can prevent future infections. To learn more about the HPV and other vaccines, click here.
Most physicians within the lower mainland are well versed with the health needs of people who identify as GLBT2S. Below I have provided links to clinics that we would recommend patients who seek queer competent healthcare providers
https://denmanmedicalcentre.com/
https://www.mainlandclinic.ca/
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The rapid HIV tests are only 95% accurate at most. False positives are quite common with the rapid test which does not indicate that you have HIV. The rapid tests are never used to diagnose someone here in British Columbia due to the large margin of error. I recommend that you complete a more accurate HIV testing that includes HIV antibodies and HIV RNA. I have provided you with a link that can connect you to clinic where you can complete these tests. https://smartsexresource.com/get-tested/clinic-finder
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Based on what you’ve shared with me, there is no risks for HIV transmission. Below I have highlighted means of HIV transmission for you. If you would like to learn more about HIV I recommend you use our website and search for keyword HIV.
HIV can only be passed by these five body fluids:
HIV can be passed when one of these fluids from a person with HIV gets into the bloodstream of another person—through broken skin, the opening of the penis or the wet linings of the body, such as the vagina, rectum or foreskin. HIV cannot be passed through healthy, unbroken skin.
The two main ways that HIV can be passed are:
HIV can also be passed:
HIV cannot be passed by:
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Based on what you have shared with me it sounds like there are no significant exposures to indicate an HSV infection. Herpes is passed by skin-to-skin contact between one person who has the virus and another who does not. This contact needs to be directly with the part of the body where aperson has the virus. For example, if someone has oral herpes, their mouth is the area of the body that has the virus, not their genitals. The type of contact that usually transmits herpes involves skin rubbing on skin, like kissing or sexual activity. It also is possible for herpes to be passed if one person touchesthe part of their body that has herpes (like their genitals) and then immediately touches another person’s mouth or genitals. Sharing sex toys between one person and another without changing condoms or washing toyscan also pass the virus.
The chance of passing herpes is highest when there is an active outbreak (when sores or blisters are visible, or prodrome symptoms are present). There is no risk of passing herpes throughgeneral household activities. You can’t get herpes from a toilet seat or furniture, or fromsharing a bed or hugging someone with herpes.The herpes virus is fragile and doesn’t live more than a few minutes on most surfaces. The virus is easily killed by soap and water. Unless an item, like a spoon or a towel, is going directly from one person’s mouth or genitals to another person, there is no need to worryabout sharing household items.
Although there is no major risk exposure in the case that you’ve mentioned to me, these are the key clinical indicators of an active herpes outbreak/infection
GENERAL SYMPTOMS CAN INCLUDE:
• One or more sores that look like
water blisters, cuts, or broken skin
• The skin can feel itchy, tingling, burning, raw, or painful
• Fever, headache, or muscle aches
• Feel tired and not well
SYMPTOMS OF GENITAL HERPES CAN INCLUDE:
• Pain in your legs or buttocks
• The lymph nodes in the groin can be swollen and tender
• Painful urination (peeing)
• A change in vaginal discharge
• Swollen genitals
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Having abnormal vaginal discharge may or may not be an sexually transmitted disease. The best way to determine the cause of your discharge is to see a healthcare professional and discuss your symptoms with them. I have attached a link for you to find a clinic within British Columbia. https://smartsexresource.com/get-tested/clinic-finder
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Your immune system is responsible for clearing out the HPV virus within our bodies, but when and how it is cleared depends on the strain and your immune system. Some people may not have completeresolution of an HPV type. It could be that the type is dormant or “sleeping” in their body, but reawakens at some point. This sometimes happens when the body is under more stress that affects the immune system, such as periods of extreme stress or certain medications like chemotherapy.
It’s also possible that a person may resolve the type completely, but then get it again at a future date. It’s also very possible that someone could be infected with a different
HPV type if they are exposed to it. Having one type of HPV does not mean you won’t get other types of HPV if exposed to them. Regardless of the reason, some people can
have recurrent HPV.
Although our immune system does its best to protect us from HPV exposures, there is still a possibility of transmission if HPV is present. HPV passed through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity. This includes any kind of sexual contact with the anal and genital regions, including genitals rubbing together, penetrative sex (vaginal or anal intercourse), oral sex, sharing sex toys, and hands on genitals. HPV may still be present even if there are no visible warts or when the warts are gone. Since HPV is so common that most people acquire it sooner or later, it is not realistic to avoid it. There is no need to stop having sex even if warts or other signs of HPV are present, or are being treated.
Condoms and other barrier methods can reduce the possibility of HPV transmission, although they do not provide full protection as HPV can be passed through other skin-to-skin contact. Condoms also protect against other STIs, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV. Using condoms is a good way to reduce the risk of getting STIs. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect ourself against HPV. A decade of using the HPV vaccine in British Columbia has shown that it is both safe and effective. For more information about the HPV vaccine visitwww.immunizebc.ca/hpv
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Hi
Depo Provera is a form of injectable birth control where people are seen every 10 to 13 weeks for a repeat injection.
You have stated that your Depo expires on July 3rd, I am unsure how many weeks this is from your last injection as many clinics will book your appointment at 10 weeks so that you have a few weeks of extra time in case anything comes up. You have 13 weeks of protection from when you get your injection.
If you’re having sex and it has been more than 13 weeks I would recommend using a backup method of birth control as it would be possible to get pregnant.
For more information on Depo have a look at Options for Sexual Health information page.
https://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org/facts/birth-control/methods/the-birth-control-shot/
If you have had penis-vaginal sex with no birth control (has been after 13 weeks), it’s possible to get Emergency Contraception to reduce the chance of getting pregnant. Have a look at Options for Sexual Health information page for additional information.
https://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org/facts/birth-control/emergency-contraception/
Let us know if this does not answer your question or if you have any further questions or concerns.
Health Nurse
HIV is transmitted through body fluids and blood. Using condoms consistantly during oral sex significantly decreases your chances of HIV transmission. HIV also needs direct access to you bloodstream, so I would avoid performing oral sex when there is an active cut/sore on your mouth or recently had dental surgery done. If you are sexually active I recommend getting tested for HIV and STIs based on your risk factors. From what you’ve shared with me your risk factors to HIV are very low. I reccommend getting baseline STI testing done and screening more based on your partners and sexual activities. Below I’ve provided some more information to help you understand HIV risk factors and transmission. I’ve also included which STIs are more common with oral sex. https://smartsexresource.com/about-stis/know-your-chances-0
HIV can only be passed by these five body fluids:
HIV can be passed when one of these fluids from a person with HIV gets into the bloodstream of another person—through broken skin, the opening of the penis or the wet linings of the body, such as the vagina, rectum or foreskin. HIV cannot be passed through healthy, unbroken skin.
The two main ways that HIV can be passed are:
HIV can also be passed:
HIV cannot be passed by:
Since November 1985, all blood products in Canada are checked for HIV, to ensure that it is safe to get a blood transfusion. And there is no chance of getting HIV from donating blood.
Hopefully this answers your question, if not let us know.
Thank you