Risky sexual behavior is defined as any sexual activity that puts one both sexual partners at risk for unwanted pregnancy, HIV, sexually transmitted infections or sexual assault. This can include risks to physical health such as failure to use birth control or condoms, having sex with a partner of unknown health status, having anonymous sex, being in situations where risk of sexual assault is increased Risky sexual behavior can also include behaviors that put emotional well being at risk such as an affair.. Risky sexual behavior is usually a rash, unplanned sexual encounter where the person is not thinking clearly and making rational decisions.

People who engage in risky sexual behavior:

• Are more likely to be under the influence of alcohol which lowers inhibitions.
• Are more likely to be under the influence of illegal drugs which also lowers inhibitions.
• Are more likely to be in an intensely positive mood state.
• Have been shown to exhibit the trait of Positive Urgency-which is the tendency to act rashly when experiencing a positive affect.
• Have reported low self efficacy.
• Have issues with Power, either having to be in control and powerful or being submissive to the person in power.
• Tend to show signs of impulsivity.

 Further, people who show signs of being neurotic tend to engage in risky sexual behaviors as a method of coping with negative emotional states. The other side of the coin can be found in extroverted persons who may engage in risky sexual behavior in order to enhance their positive emotions-to keep their emotional high.

 Self esteem is a major contributing factor to risky sexual behavior. Persons with low self esteem are less confident about negotiating condom use, less likely to insist on protected sex and more likely to use drugs and alcohol. It can also be more difficult to reveal their own health and HIV status to potential sexual partners for fear of rejection.

 Agreeableness which is defined as being friendly, trusting, tolerant and generous has been shown to be positively correlated with risky health behavior including sexual behavior. Further, one study reported that lower rates of shyness and higher levels of emotional instability expressed at an earlier age were predictors of engaging in risky behaviors. So it appears it may be something that is learned early in life which presents a greater challenge when determining the best way to change negative behavior.

These factors all contribute to the debate about whether behavior is learned, in innate or can be a combination of the two. If indeed, some personality characteristics that are biological in origin contribute to the likelihood of someone engaging in risky sexual behavior, where does that leave these persons when it comes to the ability to change these characteristics and thereby change their behavior?

Whether it is nature or nurture, for each persons on sexual health and well being, they should take steps to limit behaviors that may put them at risk for unprotected sex.

References:
http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=buy.optionToBuy&id=2009-08896-018
http://truthfornow.hubpages.com/hub/Motivations-for-Risky-Sexual-Behavior
http://www.adamatorres.com/docs/Portfolio/Research/Personality/Personality.pdf

Many people are aware that the acidity and pH levels in the vagina have a great deal to do with maintaining good vaginal health. Keeping the vaginal healthy and the pH levels at an even keel can be like walking a tightrope with the slightest change making a big difference. Things like diet, medication, and the menstrual cycle are just a few of the things that can influence vaginal pH levels. What people may not know is that the pH level of the vagina can influence the risk of a woman contacting HIV.

In a healthy vagina, lactobacilli, which are the healthy organisms and bacteria found in a vagina, thrive and grow at a normal healthy rate. The lactobacilli’s main function in keeping a woman’s vagina healthy is to use the glycogen in the vagina as an energy source and break it down into lactic acid and glucose. This in turn helps keep the vagina’s pH balance at a healthy level. When the pH is at a healthy level, the vagina’s acidity is able to kill germs, and it helps provide a mucous membrane of squamous cells to cover and protect the cervical canal.

Healthy pH balance contributes to HIV transmission risk in a variety of ways. One way is helping to protect the vagina from microscopic cuts and abrasions that allow HIV to enter the body. These microscopic cuts and abrasions happen when the vagina is inflamed, usually due to infection, tampons, douching or trauma and can cause the pH balance to rise.

Vaginal infections such as Bacterial Vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia greatly influence the pH level of the vagina creating an unhealthy environment and a greater risk for HIV transmission. Further, sexually transmitted infection such as syphilis and herpes that cause any type of open sore that can occur in the vagina as well as the rest of the genitals also provides access to the body for HIV transmission.

The pH balance changes over the menstrual cycle which means there are times during the menstrual cycle where a woman is more susceptible to HIV transmission. During the last half of the menstrual cycle when a woman is fertile, the acidity in the vagina changes and the immune system is compromised so sperm is not destroyed and a woman’s chances for pregnancy are optimal. This also makes it easier for a woman to be infected with HIV. Further, when estrogen levels are lower during certain phases of the menstrual cycle, the vaginal mucous can become thin which makes it easier to get cuts and abrasions.

A sexual practice that influences healthy vaginal pH and increases HIV transmission is the use of vaginal drying agents. Vaginal drying agents can be anything from stones, toilet paper, leaves, powders and clothes that are inserted into the vagina to soak up normal vaginal lubrication. This is done in some cultures where dry sex is seen as more desirable than sex with vaginal lubrication. In these cultures vaginal lubrication during intercourse is an indicator of infidelity on the woman’s part, is seen as a curse or bad luck. Not only does the dryness in the vagina alter health pH level but the woman can experience lacerations and other trauma to the vagina that create yet another opening into the body for HIV to enter.

This all reinforces the need for women to keep their vagina’s healthy overall, but also to help protect themselves from HIV transmission.

References:
http://www.thebody.com/content/art13485.html
http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/2409398.html

HSV 2 is the virus that causes genital herpes and infection is for life. A diagnosis of herpes can be devastating and is life altering. Pain is both emotional and physical with herpes. Wondering how it will affect your sex life, relationship, health and future is completely normal after being infected with HSV 2.

Because HSV 2 is a virus, there is no cure. Focus turns to treatment options to manage symptoms (episodic) and control outbreaks (suppressive).  Episodic treatment consists of treatment and comfort measures taken at the first sign of a Herpes outbreak. The goal of episodic treatment is to hopefully shorten the duration of the outbreak and help control the symptoms that accompany an outbreak. Suppressive treatment is taken daily. The goal of suppressive treatment is to prevent outbreaks from occurring at all. Treatment is in the form of antiviral medication and is taken orally or topically.

When contemplating all of the life issues associated with HSV 2 infection, many women pay particular attention to issues related to HSV 2 infection and pregnancy. Fear that the virus will be transmitted to a fetus can be overwhelming. Women who are pregnancy and infected with HSV 2 have a higher rate of miscarriage, inhibited fetal growth and premature labor.  HSV 2 infection in newborns can be life threatening, cause meningitis, skin infections, seizures, developmental disability and infection in the bloodstream. It can even be fatal. Risk to a fetus is especially great if the woman is experiencing her first herpes outbreak during her pregnancy. Reasons for this include the first outbreak historically lasting longer than subsequent outbreaks which results in viral shedding lasting much longer and a lower amount of antibodies are transferred from mother to fetus during a primary outbreak. Women who are infected with HSV 2 usually deliver by C-Section to help avoid transmission to the fetus during delivery.

However, attention also needs to be paid to treatment during pregnancy that helps reduce the risk of transmission to the fetus in utero. Valtrex is an antiviral, oral medication used as a suppressive treatment for HSV 2 infection. Pregnant women with HSV 2 infection who take Valtrex has been shown to reduce the rate of HSV 2 transmission to fetuses during pregnancy. However, Valtrex is considered a Class B drug which means while no harmful effects were found to fetuses in animal studies, there have been no conclusive studies performed in humans. Basically the research shows that women on Valtrex have no more babies born with birth defects than women who are not taking Valtrex during pregnancy. Therefore, it is recommended that women who are pregnant and infected with HSV 2 discuss the best option for reduced transmission rate with their physician. Discussion with a health care provider can help the woman evaluate the pros and cons, risks and benefits of taking Valtrex during her pregnancy.

References:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/herpes-simplex-000079.htm
http://www.herpes.org/herpesinfo/hpreg.shtml
http://www.drugs.com/pro/valtrex.html