Dear Counsellor:

I had severe pain in my belly bottom and sometimes I pass a little blood from my vagina. Sex is usually very painful. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with PID. How is PID treated? The doctor told me it is very dangerous and that I may never be able to have children. Is that true? How is it treated?

Worried Woman

Dear Worried Woman:

Pelvic inflammatory Disease (PID) is treated with antibiotics, bed rest, and sexual abstinence. In some cases you may need to be hospitalised. You may also need surgery to remove infected, scarred tissue or to repair or remove your fallopian tubes or uterus.

Treated or untreated, PID can lead to sterility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pain. Even if your PID was treated successfully and you don't have any more symptoms, your fallopian tubes may be scarred that you will still be sterile (cannot have children. I must encourage you to follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

Is anal sex a safe thing to practice?

Dear Counsellor:

My boyfriend wants us to practise anal sex but I'm afraid. I have tried it once and although I enjoyed it I'm still not comfortable. My boyfriend told me that male and female who practise anal sex don't have anything to worry about because they are heterosexual.

Jean

Dear Jean:

Females who engage in anal sex with their male partners must know that this is an additional route and risk factor for sexually transmitted infections including HIV the virus that causes AIDS between heterosexual couples. The riskiest unprotected sex with an infected partner is anal intercourse. It is, therefore, necessary for everyone; it does not matter what your sexual preference is, once you are sexually active you are at risk for sexually transmitted infections including HIV the virus that causes AIDS. Therefore, you must use a condom or have sex with only one person who you know is not infected. Remember you cannot tell if a person is infected with HIV by just looking at him/her.

Will I always have herpes blisters?

Dear Counsellor:

I had itching and painful blisters like sores on my vagina. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with herpes. My doctor told me that herpes would stay with me for the rest of my life. Does that mean that I will always have blisters on my vagina?

Living with Herpes

Dear Living with Herpes:

Infection with herpes does not mean that you will always have blisters on your vagina. The first outbreak of herpes usually lasts one to three weeks and there is no certainty when outbreaks might recur. They may be weeks or even months apart. Some people with genital herpes do have recurrences. The average is about four recurrences per year, and for many individuals the number of recurrences decreases as time goes on.

For more information on condom use, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections call the AIDS/STD Helpline at 967-3830, 967-3764 or toll free at

1888-991-4444 or write to AIDS Affairs, c/o the Star, 7 North Street, Kingston.