Sexual Health
Drugs for treating ED can be taken orally, injected directly into the penis, or inserted into the urethra at the tip of the penis. In March 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Viagra, the first pill to treat ED. In August 2003, the FDA gave approval to a second oral medicine, vardenafil hydrochloride (Levitra). Additional oral medicines are being tested for safety and effectiveness.

Erectile dysfunction, sometimes called “impotence,” is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. The word “impotence” may also be used to describe other problems that interfere with sexual intercourse and reproduction, such as lack of sexual desire and problems with ejaculation or orgasm. Using the term erectile dysfunction makes it clear that those other problems are not involved.

Birth Control
Most women are capable of conception from their early teens, into their late 40’s. Birth control makes planning your family possible, both in the size of your family and the spacing of your children.

The pill is the most popular form of birth control. The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research found that 50 percent of the women they surveyed did not know that the pill provides benefits beyond preventing pregnancy. It has come a long way from the original version created over 40 years ago. The benefits include the decrease risk of ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, colorectal cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, osteoporosis and benign ovarian cysts. In fact the pill is recommended for women experiencing the discomfort of perinenopause.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration states that out of 100 couples a year who rely on either the pill, injections, implants, IUD’s or sterilization only 5 will have an accidental pregnancy. Out of 100 couples depending on condoms or diaphragms in 1 year 14 to 20 will have an unwanted pregnancy. Even less effective were the natural planning method, spermicides alone, and the female condom.

Over a lifetime many men and women find they have used a number of different types of birth control. Discuss with your doctor which method of birth control is right for you at this stage of your life.

Genital Warts (HPV)
Sometimes also called “venereal warts,” genital warts are caused by a group of viruses called HPV (short for human papillomavirus). Some kinds of HPVs cause the kind of warts you see on people’s hands and feet, but these warts are not sexually transmitted.

Genital warts can be passed from person to person during intimate sexual contact (vaginal, oral, or anal sex). Rarely, genital warts are transmitted from a mother to her baby during childbirth. You cannot catch genital warts from a towel, doorknob, or toilet seat.

Genital Herpes
According to the CDC genital Herpes is on the rise. Research shows that 90% of the population has been exposed to oral herpes and 25% of the population aged 25-45 in the U.S. has been exposed to genital herpes. An estimated 86 million people worldwide are thought to have genital herpes. More than 1 million new cases of genital herpes are diagnosed in the United States each year as reported by the National Institute of Health.

Joining a support group can lessen the stress associated with this illness. Social and emotional shame can be far worse than the pain of an outbreak. Education and treatment can remedy the social isolation felt.

Genital Herpes cannot be cured. However, treatment can relieve the symptoms. Medication can rapidly decrease the pain and discomfort associated with an out break and can shorten healing time as well. In August of 2003 the FDA approved Valtrex for the reduced risk of heterosexual transmission of genital Herpes to susceptible partners with healthy immune systems when used as suppressive therapy in combination with safer sex practices. Researchers have found that daily doses of antiviral herpes drugs reduce asymptomatic shedding, but whether this suppressive therapy can help prevent transmission is not yet known. These medications do not cure the herpes infection, they suppress the symptoms and have been shown to speed healing time.

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Zithromax (Azithromycin) is a powerful antibiotic with a short dosing schedule. It also treats sexually transmitted vaginal or urinary tract infections caused by chlamydia. It will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

Zithromax® DRUG INFO

AZITHROMYCIN (Zithromax®) – ORAL

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Zithromax

USES: Azithromycin also treats sexually transmitted vaginal or urinary tract infections caused by chlamydia. It will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

HOW TO USE: Take azithromycin TABLETS by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water. Azithromycin tablets can be taken with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber’s advice.

SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, stomach upset, trouble sleeping, headache, or cold symptoms may occur. If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Unlikely but report promptly: dizziness, mental/mood changes, fast heartbeat, fever. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: fainting, irregular heartbeat. Although drowsiness is very uncommon at usual doses under normal circumstances, be aware that drowsiness may occur and may effect the ability to perfom tasks requiring alertness (e.g., driving). If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: antacids; astemizole; digoxin; dihydroergotamine; ergotamine; magnesium salts; terfenadine; triazolam; warfarin Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines..

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include irregular or unusually slow or fast heartbeat, unusual nervousness or excitement, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, and seizures.

NOTES: Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. There should be an interval of at least 12 hours between doses.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from sunlight and moisture.

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Tetracycline, is used to treat bacterial infections, including pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections; acne; infections of skin, genital and urinary systems; and the infection that causes stomach ulcers (Helicobacter pylori). It also may be used as an alternative to other medications for the treatment of Lyme disease and for the treatment and prevention of anthrax (after inhalational exposure). Tetracycline is in a class of medications called tetracycline antibiotics.It works by preventing the growth and spread of bacteria.Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

TETRACYCLINE DRUG INFO

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: dark yellow or brown urine; decrease in the amount of urine; difficulty breathing; fever; headache; increased sensitivity to the sun or ultraviolet light; itching in the rectal or genital area; pain on swallowing; redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth; skin rash, itching; stomach pain or cramps; unusual weakness or tiredness; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): diarrhea; discolored tongue; loss of appetite; nausea, vomiting; sore mouth.

PRECAUTIONS: Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 2 to 3 days.

Do not take tetracycline just before going to bed. It may not dissolve properly when you are lying down and can cause pain in your throat.

Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths.

Make sure your diet provides vitamin B. Ask your prescriber or health care professional for advice if you think you are short of this vitamin.

Birth control pills (contraceptive pills) may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Use an extra method of birth control for at least one month.

If you are being treated for a sexually transmitted disease, avoid sexual contact until you have finished your treatment. Your sexual partner may also need treatment.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking tetracycline.

Antacid can stop the effects of tetracycline. If you get an upset stomach and want to take an antacid, make sure there is an interval of at least 2 hours since you last took tetracycline, or 4 hours before your next dose.

Iron and zinc preparations can also stop tetracycline from working properly.

Never use tetracycline if it is past the expiration date; it can make you seriously ill.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Antacids; calcium salts; cholestyramine; colestipol; digoxin; female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills; ferrous sulfate; magnesium salts; methoxyflurane; other antibiotic medicines; sodium bicarbonate; vitamin A; warfarin; zinc salts.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

NOTES: Prescriber needs to know if you have any of these conditions: kidney disease; liver disease; other chronic illness; an unusual or allergic reaction to tetracycline antibiotics, foods, dyes, or preservatives; pregnant or trying to get pregnant; breast-feeding.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. There should be an interval of at least 4 to 6 hours between doses.

STORAGE: Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15—30 degrees C (59—86 degrees F). Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

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Amoxicillin kills or stops the growth of bacteria that cause infection. It treats many different kinds of infections of the skin, respiratory tract, sinuses, ear, and kidney. Amoxicillin also treats some sexually transmitted disease.

AMOXICILLIN DRUG INFO

AMOXICILLIN – ORAL

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Amoxil®, Trimox®, Wymox®

USES: Amoxicillin kills or stops the growth of bacteria that cause infection. It treats many different kinds of infections of the skin, respiratory tract, sinuses, ear, and kidney. Amoxicillin also treats some sexually transmitted disease.

HOW TO USE: How should I take this medicine? Take amoxicillin capsules or chewable tablets by mouth. Chew or crush the tablets, do not swallow whole. Swallow the capsules or tablets whole with a glass of water; take while in an upright or sitting position. You may take amoxicillin with or without food. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber’s advice.

SIDE EFFECTS: What side effects may I notice from taking amoxicillin? Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:; difficulty breathing, wheezing; dark yellow or brown urine; dizziness; fever or chills, sore throat; increased thirst; pain or difficulty passing urine; pain on swallowing; redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth; seizures (convulsions); skin rash, itching; stomach pain or cramps; swollen joints; severe or watery diarrhea; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual weakness or tiredness; vomiting; yellowing of the eyes or skin Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):; diarrhea; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach gas or heartburn

PRECAUTIONS: If you are diabetic and taking large doses of amoxicillin, you may get a false-positive result for sugar in your urine with certain brands of urine tests. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine. If you get severe or watery diarrhea, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice. If you get a skin rash, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: What drug(s) may interact with amoxicillin?; allopurinol; birth control pills; methotrexate; neomycin; probenecid

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include sluggishness, change in amount of urine, loss of consciousness, or seizures.

NOTES: What should my health care professional know before I take amoxicillin? They need to know if you have any of these conditions:; asthma; eczema; kidney disease; leukemia; mononucleosis; intestinal problems (especially colitis); other chronic illness; phenylketonuria; viral infection; an unusual or allergic reaction to amoxicillin, other penicillins, cephalosporin antibiotics, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives; breast-feeding

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not “double-up” the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 15-30 degrees C (59-86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

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