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Archives for November 2014

World AIDS Day: December 1

World AIDS Day takes place each year on December 1st. The annual observation is held to bring attention to the global impact of HIV/AIDS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that an estimated 1.1 million people are living with HIV, and 1 in 7 don’t know it. More than 36 million people around the world are estimated to be living with HIV.

The theme for 2017 is Increasing Impact through Transparency, Accountability, and Partnerships. You can follow the conversation with these hashtags: #WAD2017.


For more information on World AIDS Day visit hiv.gov. You can also take a look at ASHA’s resources on HIV/AIDS, including:

  • HIV testing
  • Preventing HIV
  • Living with HIV/AIDS
  • Preventing HIV with PrEP: PrEP involves taking a pill once daily to prevent HIV infection in someone who is HIV-negative. When taken consistently, every day, PrEP has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection in people who are at high risk by more than 90%. Read more and find resources near you at sayyestoprep.org.

Find Local Resources

Type your zip code into the box below to find HIV/AIDS-related services in your area.

Could Your Sex Life Be Better?

A survey released today by the American Sexual Health Association, Men’s Health Network, HealthyWomen, and Pfizer looks at a curious disconnect: people believe that sexual health is important but are so shy about the topic they often avoid discussing it altogether.

The survey—conducted by Kelton—was done with over 3,000 men and women in long-term relationships where at least one of the partners has a sexual health issue. 64% of participants said sexual health impacts their overall well-being, but only 13% of those unhappy with their sex lives are open and honest with their partner about their concerns. The bedroom isn’t the only place where they clam up: about 1 in 4 say they don’t feel comfortable discussing sexual health issues with their healthcare providers either.

We talk with our partners about where to set the thermostat, which vacation destination we’d prefer, and money issues. In the medical office we chat about everything from our cholesterol check-up to our blood pressure. Why—both at home and in the clinic—is sexual health such a challenge?

embarrassedSome of it can be explained simply enough; 26% of our respondents said plain old embarrassment with the subject kept them from asking their healthcare provider about sexual health. You know, it is S-E-X, after all.

It may also be because we just don’t know how to have these conversations, either with our sweetie or our doctors and nurses. That works both ways: medical professionals are given scant sexual health training and aren’t much better (or more comfortable) than patients in bringing up the topic. We don’t grow up having these conversations, or listening to others have them, so no surprise we fumble around a bit.

But not to worry! ASHA has developed tools to jump-start effective sexual health talks with your partner, your doctor, even your kids. Go here for detailed survey results and links to ASHA’s resources on talking the talk (including our popular 10 Things to Ask Your Healthcare Provider).

New National Sexual Health Survey Reveals Barriers to Addressing Issues

Why aren’t couples talking about sex? Despite increasing public acceptance of sex as an everyday topic and a trend towards more empowered health consumers, people continue to feel uncomfortable talking about sexual health issues—even behind closed doors.

A new national survey from the American Sexual Health Association, in partnership with Men’s Health Network, HealthyWomen and Pfizer highlights the gap between people’s belief in the importance of sexual health and their avoidance of addressing related issues.

Key Study Findings

Sexual health survey infographic
Click for a summary of results from the survey

The survey included 3,015 adults aged 40-74 who are sexually active and in committed relationships where at least one partner is experiencing one or more sexual health issue. Key findings include the following:

  • 64% believe that their sex life influences their overall satisfaction with their lives; however, only 38% are satisfied with their sex lives.
  • Embarrassment and resignation prevent many from talking to their doctors (26%) about sexual health challenges they are experiencing. 37% believe that these are obstacles for their partners as well.
  • Fewer than one in four couples (24%) facing sexual health issues feel that they’re always able to be honest with their partners about their sex lives.
  • Men and women have differing priorities for improving physical intimacy. For women, priorities were improving their ability to achieve an orgasm (28% vs. 19% of men), emotional bonding with their partners (32% vs. 20%), and general enjoyment of sex (34% vs. 22%). Men are more apt to focus on their physical ability to have sex (38% vs. 22% of women) and being able to experiment (28% vs. 12%).
  • More than a third of those surveyed—aged as young as 40—are resigned to a worse sex life in 20 years, especially those who are already dissatisfied with their sex lives.

Sexual health is an important part of overall physical and mental well being and has an impact on quality of life for both men and women. But despite its importance, embarrassment and discomfort in discussing sexual health issues remains a barrier—both for couples and healthcare providers.

ASHA has resources to help couples get past embarrassment and disappointment and start talking about issues affecting their sex lives and sexual health and how and when to seek help.

Talking to Your Partner Matters

Millions of couples deal with sexual problems—problems like sexual dysfunction. But problems like these have solutions. The first step to finding those solutions is talking with your partner and making a plan to get help.

ASHA Speaks Out on Female Sexual Dysfunction at the FDA

Deborah ArrindellOn October 27, the Food and Drug Administration conducted a patient-focused public meeting on female sexual dysfunction (FSD), with a special focus on female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD). The meeting included personal stories from patients on the impact of FSD on their lives and relationships as well as comments from advocates on the need for more treatment options.

ASHA’s VP of Health Policy, Deborah Arrindell, pictured at left, was among those at the meeting to offer comment and urge the FDA to provide more options for women suffering from FSD. You can listen to Deborah’s comments (and the enthusiastic applause that follows) below.

Transcript of Deborah Arrindell’s Comments

Good afternoon. I’m Deborah Arrindell with the American Sexual Health Association. Our organization was established in 1914 when women were largely considered vixens, vectors of infection, and maybe vamps. It’s wonderful that we’ve come to the point where we can begin to talk about women having healthy sexual lives. That women have a right, perhaps, to desire, arousal, even pleasure. So we really appreciate that the FDA has today given organizations like mine and people like me an opportunity to hear from patients—things that I have only read about.

What I’ve heard is despair, anxiety, loss of confidence, loss of self worth, troubled relationships, and families in crisis. And sexual health, we believe, is basic human right. What we’ve heard is that women will try everything, including, quote, “some things I don’t even remember the names of.” And indeed, I believe that for some women, chocolate, strawberries, and certain episodes of Grey’s Anatomy can make a difference. But for many other women, that is simply not the case. We heard that for some women, a month in the Caribbean will not do the trick. Not being able to have sexual desire will only add to anxiety there.

So I believe that sexual health is a basic human right and those are the women for whom we ask the FDA to provide some options. We don’t want a magic pill. We want an opportunity for those women and their providers to together figure out what’s right for them and what might work.

I believe that deeply buried in the Constitution there must be a basic right to healthy sexuality. I’m gonna go with the pursuit of happiness. Thank you.

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