Getting Tested
Q: I’m recently single and enjoying a…bit of a slutty phase, to be honest. I feel pretty good about it, and I’m taking the necessary precautions, but I still want to get tested regularly. I have a good family doctor and I don’t want to get booted off his client list by going somewhere else, but he’s kind of old and I don’t think he knows what STI tests and cultures or whatnot he should be running for someone in my, ahem, situation. What kind of things should someone having a lot of sex, most of it with condoms, get screened for? He said if I told him what boxes to check he’d do it!
A: Actually, the best place to go is to an infectious diseases clinic or a youth clinic (if under 25) which usually do the testing anonymously. These clinics are in hospitals, colleges and university campuses as well as in the community. It’s very important to get tested at least once a year or more if you are sexually active with multiple partners, and right away if you are experiencing symptoms. Consider getting tested before becoming sexually active with a new partner. It’s a great conversation starter for discussing sexual health. Please note that some STIs (herpes and HPV) are transmitted via skin to skin contact, which means that condoms do not protect you completely. Therefore, watch for signs and also ask your partners about their STI status.
Masturbation Gender Gap
Q: First things first: I’m a woman. I know the stereotype for guys is that they’re constantly jerking off—okay, maybe not constantly, but frequently. I dated someone who masturbated once a day. Conversely, I’ve never really been into it myself. He found it pretty shocking, but I also thought his “once daily” claim was a bit exaggerated. Is there really a gender gap in how often people of different genders masturbate? Or am I the only one who doesn’t prioritize it in my life?
A: You are correct that there is a gender gap in masturbatory activity, with guys engaging more than women. According to research (published in JAMA), when asked about masturbation frequency in the past year, approximately half of male participants reported masturbation at least twice a week. Among females, 45.5% reported masturbation a few times per year, while only 22.5% reported masturbating at least twice a week. It is certainly not unusual for men to masturbate daily (depends on age, relationship status, etc.). This is not considered “constantly” or “exaggerated.” Many people masturbate regularly not just because they are horny, but also because it has a calming effect and can help with sleep.