ask the sexpert
Can sex help menstrual
cramps?
Not simple coitus alone But
an orgasm, yes Many women
report that an orgasm —
whether arrived at alone or with
a partner — reduces cramping
as well as lower back pain Be
warned, however, that typically
there is a gush of menstrual
blood at the moment of orgasm
There is no harm in this, and the
total amount of blood lost is not
increased, but you may want to
take measures to deal with it A
diaphragm provides an excel
lent temporary block for the
menstrual flow
Can you tell me about herpes?
My girlfriend has it and I am
afraid to have any sexual con
tact with her
You have a lot of company
with this question Herpes is a
virus infection usually transmit
ted by sexual intimacy, but also
may arise spontaneously There
are two closely related kinds of
herpes virus, types I and II In
fection in the genitals usually is
caused by the type II virus In
fection of other body parts —
such as cold sores on the lips or
nose — usually is caused by the
type I virus
Type II usually is transmitted
by vaginal or anal intercourse or
oral-genital contact Symptoms
include one or several groups of
small, painful bumps or blisters
that appear on the sexual or
gans
These lesions should be
treated by a doctor They will
disappear spontaneously in one
to four weeks, but the virus
continues to live in the body For
this reason, the sores may
reoccur (just as cold sores do)
Presently there is no known
cure for herpes, though re
searchers are actively inves
tigating several leads
A person is highly contagious
when he or she has active sores.
Intercourse should be avoided
during this time It is difficult to
say how long one is contagious
after the sores disappear; pos
sibly for several weeks
Most doctors recommend
careful use of condoms to
reduce the chance of contract
ing herpes At the least, con
doms should be used for six
weeks after the sores have
healed Women occasionally
will have herpes sores internally
on the cervix, where they are
not readily noticed. Symptoms
of vaginal discharge, burning or
itching usually will alert the
woman to a possible outbreak of
Continued on Page 14
"ELECTRIC PERFORMANCES,
GRAND FUN,
ELEGANTLY
RAUNCHY, UN
EXPECTEDLY
TOUCHING."
—Sheila Benson, LOS ANGELES TIMES
OUTRAGEOUSLY ENTER
TAINING, BITCHILY FUNNY"
-David Ansen, NEWSWEEK MAGAZINE
//
WONDERFUL DIALOGUE,
HILARIOUS SEX SCENES,
BRILLIANT ACTING'
—Liz Smith,
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
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