5 Questions to Ask Your Health Care Provider About Sexual Health
By Libby Pellegrini, MMS, PA-C••Updated September 17, 2020
Sexual Health
Despite public awareness campaigns, sexually transmitted infections (also referred to as STIs, sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs) have been rising in the United States for the [past several years.][1] In observance of sexual health awareness month, here are five questions to ask your health care provider about sexual health.
What does “sexually active” mean?
Regardless of whether you are single, in a relationship, or married, the most common way health care providers will start a conversation with you about your sexual health is by asking if you are sexually active. But what exactly does “sexually active” mean?
The term sexually active encompasses more than just intercourse. It includes oral sex, anal sex, and manual sex. Being sexually active doesn’t only mean you’re currently engaging in sex acts with others. If you’ve engaged in sexual acts in the past, you are considered sexually active.
When your health care providers ask if you are sexually active, it is because they want to know if you need to be tested for STIs and if you need resources to protect yourself against STIs or unwanted pregnancies.
How will I know if I have an STI?
Unfortunately, you may not know if you have an STI, because it may not produce any symptoms. This means you can unknowingly pass it onto others. Other STDs do produce symptoms in some men and women. Here are symptoms of common STIs.
Symptoms of HPV
Human papillomavirus (HPV) does not produce symptoms in the majority of infected people. Some strains of HPV will produce genital warts, but most women only find out they are infected after an abnormal pap smear. Since HPV is a viral infection, there is no cure. But a vaccine, [Gardasil 9,][2] is available for males and females ages 11-26 to prevent infection. Several medications are available to treat genital warts caused by HPV including [imiquimod][3] (generic for Aldara), and [podofilox][4].
| Prescription Medication | The RxSaver lowest price starts at: | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| [Imiquimod][5] | $27\.12 | ||
| [Podofilox][6] | $47\.53 | ||
| [Gardasil 9][7] | $471\.22 |
[2]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/imiquimod/coupons
[3]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/podofilox/coupons
[4]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/imiquimod/coupons
[5]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/imiquimod/coupons
[6]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/podofilox/coupons
[7]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/gardasil-9/coupons
Symptoms of Gonorrhea
Some men and most women won’t have any symptoms of gonorrhea. If symptoms do appear, they may include a burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge, or green, white, or yellow discharge from the penis, sore or swollen testicles, and vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods. Medications prescribed to treat gonorrhea may include a combination of [azithromycin][1] (brand name Zithromax), along with an injection of [ceftriaxone sodium.][2]
| Prescription Medication | The RxSaver lowest price starts at: | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| [Azithromycin][3] | $8\.45 | ||
| [Ceftriaxone sodium][4] | $3\.36 |
According to the CDC, most people infected with [chlamydia have no symptoms][5]. If you do show symptoms, they may include burning during urination for both men and women, an abnormal vaginal or penile discharge, or pain and bleeding in the rectum.
Medications prescribed to treat chlamydia may include a combination of [azithromycin][6] (brand name Zithromax), or [doxycycline hyclate][7] (brand names Acticlate, Monodox, Vibramycin).
| Prescription Medication | The RxSaver lowest price starts at: | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| [azithromycin][8] | $8\.45 | ||
| [doxycycline hyclate][9] | $10\.25 |
Symptoms of syphilis come in stages. During the primary stage, a sore or multiple sores may appear near where syphilis entered your body.
You may then develop skin rashes or mucous membrane lesions during the secondary stage. During the latent stage of syphilis you will have no symptoms, but still be a carrier. The recommended treatment for syphilis is an injection of the antibiotic penicillin.
The [RxSaver price for penicillin][10] at major retail pharmacies starts at $12.53
Symptoms of Genital Herpes
Symptoms of genital herpes include small blisters appearing on your genitals, around the rectum, or on your mouth. You may also experience flu-like symptoms including body aches or fever when you have your first outbreak. Genital herpes is caused by a virus so there is no cure, but outbreaks may be treated with medications such as acyclovir (brand name Zovirax, Sitavig) and valacyclovir (brand name Valtrex).
| Prescription Medication | The RxSaver lowest price starts at: | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| [acyclovir][11] | $10\.30 | ||
| [valacyclovir][12] | $19\.13 |
HIV infection may not initially produce any symptoms or may produce flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, body aches. Weight loss and diarrhea are also symptoms of HIV infection. A generic of Truvada, which is used to prevent HIV is set to be released in the fall of 2020.
Treatment for HIV typically requires a combination of medicines called an HIV treatment regimen, which typically includes three different medications from two different HIV drug classes.
Many different medications may be prescribed, including abacavir (generic for Ziagen), lamivudine (generic for Epivir), zidovudine (generic for Retrovir), nevirapine (generic for Viramune), and ritonavir (generic for Norvir).
| Prescription Medication | The RxSaver lowest price starts at: | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| [abacavir][13] | $84\.25 | ||
| [lamivudine][14] | $36\.18 | ||
| [zidovudine][15] | $34\.39 | ||
| [nevirapine][16] | $31\.46 | ||
| [ritonavir][17] | $55\.54 |
[2]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/ceftriaxone-sodium
[3]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/azithromycin/coupons
[4]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/ceftriaxone-sodium/coupons
[5]: https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm
[6]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/azithromycin
[7]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/doxycycline-hyclate
[8]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/azithromycin/coupons
[9]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/doxycycline-hyclate/coupons
[10]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/penicillin-g-potassium/coupons
[11]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/acyclovir/coupons
[12]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/valacyclovir-hcl/coupons
[13]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/abacavir/coupons
[14]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/lamivudine/coupons
[15]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/zidovudine/coupons
[16]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/nevirapine/coupons
[17]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/ritonavir/coupons
After I’m treated for an STD, am I cured?
STDs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis can be treated with medication, meaning that you are cured of the infection, after treatment. There is no cure for viral STDs such as herpes, HIV, and HPV. However, medications are available to minimize symptoms of HIV and herpes. These medications can be expensive, so make sure to check RxSaver prescription drug coupons to save up to 85% at the pharmacy. Keep in mind your STD-free state depends on your ability to prevent re-exposure, and your sexual partners will also need to be treated.
Am I at risk for HIV?
If you are sexually active outside the confines of a proven monogamous relationship, you may be at risk of HIV. Approximately 14% of Americans who have HIV do not know they have it.
So, if you have unprotected sex, it is possible to contract HIV. For this reason, the CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 gets screened for HIV at least once.
If you decide to get screened, make sure to ask your health care provider about the type of HIV test that you have received and what sort of follow-up testing is necessary. A negative initial HIV test does not automatically rule out that you have the virus, especially if you are concerned about a specific recent exposure.
If, after your discussion, you determine you are at high risk of contracting HIV, your health care provider can recommend a pre-exposure prophylaxis medication (PrEP). The currently recommended PrEP medication is Truvada, a pill that can be taken daily as a way to potentially prevent contracting HIV.
How can I protect myself from STIs?
When you ask your health care providers this question, they can make recommendations about what sort of protection is best for your specific situation. Using some form of protection, such as a barrier device, can prevent the contraction of STIs in the short term and also help you avoid the potentially serious consequences of untreated STIs, such as infertility, pregnancy problems, or cancer.
Safer Sex Tips
The best way to prevent an STI is to practice safer sex. To reduce your risk of exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, use condoms every time you have sex. The CDC also recommends that boys and girls get a first dose of the HPV vaccine between the age of 11-12, followed up by a second dose 6-12 months later. However, both males and females can get the vaccine up until the age of 26.
It is also important to exercise caution when it comes to drug or alcohol consumption, as it increases the likelihood that you’ll engage in high-risk sexual activity. If you are sexually active, get regular screenings for STIs, and check your own body for signs of sores, blisters, or rashes.
Finally, don’t be shy about speaking to your health care provider about sexual health. They are here to help answer your questions and address your concerns.
Imiquimod: 5 % / 12 cream packs Podofilox: 0.5 % / 3.5 ml Gardasil 9: 0.5 ml / 1 syringe Azithromycin: 250 mg / 6 tablets Ceftriaxone Sodium: 250 mg / 1 vial Doxycycline Hyclate: 100 mg / 20 capsules Penicillin G Potassium: 5mm unit / 1 vial Acyclovir: 400 mg / 60 tablets Valacyclovir: 1000 mg / 30 tablets Abacavir: 300 mg / 60 tablets Lamivudine: 150 mg / 30 tablets Zidovudine: 10 mg/ml / 240 ml Nevirapine: 200 mg / 180 tablets Ritonavir: 100 mg / 30 tablets
*Lowest online price at national pharmacy chains Costco, CVS, RiteAid, Walgreens and Walmart as of 9/11/2020. Prices vary by location and pharmacy, see RxSaver.com for actual pricing in your area.
Libby Pellegrini, MMS, PA-C
Libby Pellegrini, MMS, PA-C, is a nationally certified physician assistant. She currently works in emergency medicine where she sees and treats a broad spectrum of illnesses across all age ranges. She holds a journalism degree from Northwestern University.
The information on this site is generalized and is not medical advice. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard seeking advice or delay in seeking treatment because of something you have read on our site. RxSaver makes no warranty as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of this information.
If you are in crisis or you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
