Sexual health

Sexual health basics

Sexuality is part of being human. Love, affection and intimacy all play a role in healthy relationships from childhood through old age.

You often hear about the importance of physical health, mental health and spiritual health, but feeling confident about your sexual health also is very important. Achieving sexual health allows for:

• Healthy relationships
• Planned pregnancies
• Avoidance of disease

That's why it's essential to be well-informed about all aspects of sexual health and what it takes to have a fulfilling sex life. Similarly, it's important to be aware of factors that can complicate your sexual health. Don't let embarrassment keep you from bringing up concerns or asking questions of your doctor or other health care providers.

STD prevention

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections acquired by sexual contact. You can get an STD by having unprotected sex with a partner who's infected. You can't always tell if someone is infected, however, because many STDs cause no symptoms, at least at first. In fact, a person may have an STD without knowing it.

That's why you have to be vigilant about STD prevention. If you're sexually active, your best bet for STD prevention is to have just one sex partner who doesn't have any STDs and who has sex only with you. If you're not in an exclusive relationship, you can still protect yourself by learning about and consistently practicing STD prevention, such as using condoms

Women's sexual health

Women's sexual health is an important aspect of women's health, whether you're trying to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections or you're worried about low sex drive or other women's sexual health problems.

Learn how to achieve a fulfilling sexual relationship, and know how to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections. As you get older, understand common changes in women's sexual health — and how to maintain a healthy and enjoyable sex life at any age.

Men's sexual health

Men's sexual health is an important aspect of men's health, whether you're trying to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections or you're worried about erectile dysfunction or other men's sexual health problems.

For some men, worries about penis size top the list of their sexual health concerns. However, you're probably more normal than you think — and penis-enlargement products and procedures aren't likely to be effective.

As you get older, understand common changes in men's sexual health — and how to maintain a healthy and enjoyable sex life at any age.

Sex and aging

Are sex and aging like oil and water? No! Many older adults desire and enjoy an active sex life. And an active interest in sex, as well as satisfaction with the frequency and quality of sexual activity, is positively associated with health in later life. So don't let anyone tell you that sex is only for the young.

Of course, there are some challenges when it comes to sex and aging. Physical changes, illness, disabilities and some medicines can make sex challenging or difficult to enjoy. Yet, many resources are available to older adults to help them achieve a satisfying sex life. Don't be afraid to bring up concerns with your doctor or other health care provider.

And remember, whatever your age, take precautions to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections.

Talking to kids about sex

Kids and sexuality — those words strike fear into the hearts of many parents. But talking to kids about sex is an important part of parenting. Children and adolescents need your guidance to help them make healthy and appropriate decisions about their sexual behavior.

When it comes to talking to kids about sex, there's no set script. And sex education needn't be a single tell-all discussion. Instead, look for everyday opportunities and let your child set the pace with his or her questions. Provide just the information that your child is asking for and is able to understand. As your child matures and asks more-detailed questions, you can provide more-detailed responses.

It's normal to feel uncomfortable when talking to kids about sex. But remember that by providing accurate and open communication, you increase the odds that your child will understand your values and make appropriate choices about sex.

Hepatitis C

Symptoms

Hepatitis C infection usually produces no signs or symptoms during its earliest stages. When signs and symptoms do occur, they're generally mild and flu-like and may include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Nausea or poor appetite
• Muscle and joint pains
• Tenderness in the area of your liver

When to see a doctor 

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs and symptoms that worry you.

Causes

Hepatitis C infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is spread when you come in contact with contaminated blood.

Examples of how HCV can be spread include:

• Blood transfusions and organ transplants before 1992.Improved blood-screening tests became available in 1992. Before that year, it was possible to unknowingly contract hepatitis C through a blood transfusion or organ transplant.
• Shared needles. HCV can also spread through sharing contaminated needles when injecting drugs.
• Childbirth. A small number of babies born to mothers with hepatitis C acquire the infection during childbirth.
• Sexual contact. In rare cases, HCV may be transmitted sexually.

Risk factors

Your risk of hepatitis C infection is increased if you:

• Are a health care worker who has been exposed to infected blood
• Have ever injected illicit drugs
• Have HIV
• Received a piercing or tattoo in an unclean environment using unsterile equipment
• Received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992
• Received clotting factor concentrates before 1987
• Received hemodialysis treatments for a long period of time
• Were born to a woman with a hepatitis C infection

Complications

Hepatitis C infection that continues over many years can cause significant complications, such as:

• Scarring of the liver tissue (cirrhosis). After 20 to 30 years of hepatitis C infection, cirrhosis may occur. Scarring in your liver makes it difficult for your liver to function.
• Liver cancer. A small number of people with hepatitis C infection may develop liver cancer.
• Liver failure. A liver that is severely damaged by hepatitis C may be unable to function.

Preparing for your appointment

Who to see 

If you think you may have a risk of hepatitis C, see your family doctor or a general practitioner. Once you've been diagnosed with hepatitis C infection, your doctor may recommend you see a specialist. Specialists who see people with hepatitis C infection include:

• Doctors who specialize in infectious diseases
• Doctors who specialize in liver diseases (hepatologists)

How to prepare 

Because appointments can be brief and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared. To prepare, try to:

• Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
• Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.

Tests and diagnosis

Screening for hepatitis C 

Testing for hepatitis C infection in people who have a high risk of coming in contact with the virus may help doctors begin treatment or recommend lifestyle changes that may slow liver damage. This is recommended because hepatitis C infection often begins damaging the liver before it causes signs and symptoms.

People who may want to talk to their doctors about screening for hepatitis C infection include

Treatments and drugs

Treatment isn't always necessary 

A diagnosis of hepatitis C infection doesn't necessarily mean you need treatment. If you have only slight liver abnormalities, you may not need treatment, because your risk of future liver problems is very low. Your doctor may recommend follow-up blood tests to monitor for liver problems.

Antiviral medications 

Hepatitis C infection is treated with antiviral medications intended to clear the virus from your body. Your doctor may recommend a combination of medications taken over several weeks. Once you complete a course of treatment, your doctor will test your blood for the hepatitis C virus. If hepatitis C is still present, your doctor may recommend a second round of treatment.

Antiviral medications can cause depression and flu-like signs and symptoms, such as fatigue, fever and headache. Some side effects can be serious enough that treatment must be delayed or stopped in certain cases.

Liver transplant 

If your liver has been severely damaged, a liver transplant may be an option. During a liver transplant, the surgeon removes your damaged liver and replaces it with a healthy liver. Most transplanted livers come from deceased donors, though a small number come from living donors who donate a portion of their livers.

For people with hepatitis C infection, a liver transplant is not a cure. Treatment with antiviral medications usually continues after a liver transplant, since hepatitis C infection is likely to recur in the new liver.

Vaccinations to protect against other forms of viral hepatitis 

Your doctor will likely recommend that you receive vaccines against the hepatitis A and B viruses. These are separate viruses that also can cause liver damage and complicate treatment of hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C

Definition

Hepatitis C is an infection caused by a virus that attacks the liver and leads to inflammation. Most people infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) have no symptoms. In fact, most people don't know they have the hepatitis C infection until liver damage shows up, decades later, during routine medical tests.

Hepatitis C is one of several hepatitis viruses and is generally considered to be among the most serious of these viruses. Hepatitis C is passed through contact with contaminated blood — most commonly through needles shared during illegal drug use.