Sex Friendly Manitoba

Nine Circles Community Health Centre answers questions about sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections to get the word out. Please scroll through our posts about safer sex, transmission, testing, harm reduction, etc… to find what you are looking for. You can also browse popular keywords by clicking SEARCH. If you don’t see your question here click ASK to submit one for our Health Educators to answer.

I was just diagnosed with herpes and am having a very painful outbreak. What can I do to manage the pain and speed up the healing?

Herpes cannot be cured, but there may be things you can do to manage the pain and get through an outbreak. … Read Full Answer

Where can I get accurate information about HIV in French?

Here are some resources that can provide accurate French information about HIV prevention, treatment and support: Catie.ca is a detailed Canadian site offered in French and English … Read Full Answer

Can men get trich, if so what are the signs and symptoms?

Trichomoniasis is one of the most common STIs but yet not much attention is given to it. Trichomoniasis also referred to as trich or trichomonas is caused by a parasite. Like many other STIs … Read Full Answer

I heard that syphilis cannot be cured, is that true?

Syphilis is largely sexually transmitted, and once acquired, it manifests in three different stages. Recognizing it sooner helps in early treatment and preventing the infection from moving to the next stage … Read Full Answer

I've never had sores "down there" before and I started seeing a new person in the last couple months and now all of a sudden I do. Is it safe to say my new partner may have infected me?

Before we get into it, just remember that without seeing a clinician about the sores that you have now, we don’t know what it is. Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) could cause similar sores. But it’s great to hear that you’ve been tested … Read Full Answer

Is the fourth generation test after 43 days reliable ?

I assume you are asking about the HIV testing technology called fourth generation testing. The fourth generation is the “gold standard” and is used across Canada in testing clinics, community settings, and providers offices … Read Full Answer

Is it possible for two people who have never been sexually active before to get STIs when they have non-protected sex?

Two people who have never been sexually active should not pose a risk for contracting an STI between themselves. However, there are … Read Full Answer

Is it possible to catch an STI through performing oral sex on a woman without any kind of barrier?

Oral sex involving a vulva (vagina) or anus can pose a risk to either partner in contracting different sexually transmitted infections without a safer sex barrier. … Read Full Answer

Someone showed me a piece of paper with STI results. Do you actually print out results, and can I trust them?

Great to hear that you’ve had a conversation about sexually transmitted infections with a partner. Some clinics may offer a print out with STI results on it, while many others … Read Full Answer

Do spermicides break down condoms?

No, spermicides do not break down condoms. Some condoms even have spermicidal lubricant built into the condom. Spermicide … Read Full Answer

Hey. My doctor told me that I am immune to hepatitis. My boyfriend just told me he has hepatitis C. I can't get hepatitis C from him right?

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver and could be caused by some drugs, diseases, alcohol use, toxins and bacterial or viral infections. The most common cause would be viruses namely … Read Full Answer

I like to order used underwear online and wear them. Am I gonna get infections from this?

Often the germs on our skin or body are harmless but sometimes they can cause infections. Used underwear may contain traces of feces (poo) or microorganisms from genital infections / sexually transmitted infections. … Read Full Answer

My penis curves. Can I get it fixed?

Genitals vary from person to person. Not all penises look alike (neither do all vulvas look the same.) But this is a frequent question that people have. Differences in appearance … Read Full Answer

I have HIV, undetectable and my CD4 counts are good. I am looking at getting a cat but heard rumors that cat waste is dangerous to poz people. Is this true?

Pets can add to our emotional health and bring us a lot of joy, whether we are poz (HIV positive) or not. The issue with cat waste is something called Toxoplasmosis … Read Full Answer

I am scared to get tested, because part of me doesn't want to hear bad news. If I find out I have a sexually transmitted disease will this turn my life upside down?

Getting tested can be an overwhelming experience for many people. Even though a large majority of those who test turn out to be negative, for some the anticipated threat of a positive test result … Read Full Answer

My brother just told me he has HIV, but he didn't tell me how much time he has before he gets AIDS. What's the average time someone has before they get AIDS?

Being diagnosed with HIV today is very different than it was a decade ago. Thanks to new advances in medical care and HIV treatment, people living with HIV can lead long lives without advancing to the state we know as AIDS … Read Full Answer

I think I should get tested, but I really don't want a little stick up my dick. Do I have to have that? Are there other tests they can do instead?

We’re glad you asked this question, because there are many people who are scared about what goes on inside an STI testing appointment. I can provide some information that might dispel some myths or fears around testing a penis for sexually transmitted infections … Read Full Answer

My best friend has had HIV for 7 years. She just got a new job and doesn't know if she has tell her new boss or not.

Let me provide some useful links you can pass along to your friend as she decides whether to disclose her HIV status to her new employer. In most cases, people living with HIV do not have to disclose their diagnosis to their employer or their co-workers. … Read Full Answer