A key distinguishing characteristic of paraphilias is whether they involve an element of coercion. Several of the paraphilias are strictly solo activities or involve the partici­pation of consensual adults who agree to engage in, observe, or just put up with the particular variant behavior. Because coercion is not involved and a person’s basic rights are […]

In this chapter, we focus on a number of sexual behaviors that have been variously labeled as deviant, perverted, aberrant, or abnormal. More recently, the less judgmen­tal term paraphilia (pair-uh-FILL-ee-uh) has been used to describe these somewhat uncommon types of sexual expression. Literally meaning "beyond usual or typical love," this term stresses that such behaviors […]

The high frequency of infections without symptoms makes it imperative for infected individuals to inform their sexual partner(s) once they are diagnosed with an STI. Partner notification, which is beneficial in reducing the spread of all STIs, is an espe­cially imperative prevention tactic for curtailing the spread of HIV infections (Bird & Voisin, 2011; Obermeyer […]

Many authorities recommend that sexually active people with more than one partner routinely visit their health-care practitioner or local public health clinic for periodic checkups, even when no symptoms of infection are evident. In view of the number of people, both women and men, who are symptomless carriers of STIs, this seems like good advice. […]

Examining your partner’s genitals before coital, oral, or anal contact might reveal the symptoms of an STI. Herpes blisters, vaginal and urethral discharges, and chancres and rashes associated with syphilis, genital warts, and gonorrhea may be seen. In most cases symptoms are more evident on a man. (If he is uncircumcised, be sure to retract […]

You may wish to reevaluate the importance of sex with multiple partners in light of the clear and extensive evidence that having many sexual partners is one of the stron­gest predictors of becoming infected with HIV, HSV, chlamydia, HPV, and numer­ous other sexually transmitted infections. You might also elect not to have sex with individuals […]

Research efforts are currently under way to develop safe and effective topical gel or cream products or suppositories, called microbicides, that can be inserted into the vagina or rectum to prevent or minimize the risk of being infected with HIV and other STIs. These products would be applied before sexual intercourse, but they would not […]

vagina, which can increase vulnerability to HIV infection transmitted during vaginal intercourse (Van Damme, 2000). Furthermore, animal research has shown that N-9 can damage the cells lining the rectum, thus providing a portal of entry for HIV and other STI pathogens (Workowski et al., 2010). The CDC recommends against use of condoms lubricated with N-9 […]

It has been known for decades that condoms, when consistently and correctly used, help to prevent the transmission of many STIs (Reece et al., 2010b). The condom, one of the great underrated aids to sexual interaction, is the only current contraceptive method (other than abstinence) that protects against pregnancy and most STIs (Reece et al., […]

Even when people are entirely candid about their own sexual histories, there is no way to ensure that their previous sexual partners were honest with them—or, for that matter, that they even asked previous partners about STI risk status. In view of these concerns, we strongly encourage couples who want to begin a sexual relationship […]