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MSM Sexual Health Standards of Care

New screening standards that illustrate the highest quality of sexual health care for MSM, expanding beyond federal guidelines to incorporate the collective experience of experts in the field of sexual health.

Third Trimester Pregnancy Screening for Syphilis and HIV

This information sheet highlights syphilis and HIV screening practices for pregnant women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends prenatal testing for syphilis and HIV during a woman’s first prenatal visit and repeat testing for “high-risk” mothers during the third trimester (preferably 28-32 weeks).

The Case For New Multipurpose Prevention Technologies

Lauren Hunter, a doctoral student at UC Berkeley, presented the "Contraceptive method use and chlamydia positivity among California family planning clients: the case for new Multipurpose Prevention Technologies," an analysis comparing chlamydia positivity by type of contraceptive method used among women tested through California's Family PACT program in 2012-2013. In the presentation, she discusses the implications of the findings and how the development and provision of additional Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (MPTs) may help to address an unmet need for STI prevention.

Keep Her Awesome

Web page that provides general overview on Bacterial Vaginosis (BV). Includes facts, statistics, and what can be done to help prevent BV among women.

3 scary complications of gonorrhea

The article provides a comprehensive overview of gonorrhea, a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It outlines the nature of the infection, its transmission routes, symptoms, potential complications, and treatment options. Gonorrhea primarily affects the genitals, rectum, and throat, and can sometimes infect the eyes. While many cases, especially in women, are asymptomatic, symptoms may include painful urination, unusual discharge, pelvic or testicular pain, and rectal discomfort.

Painless but Contagious: The Truth About Syphilis Sores

This article provides an in-depth, reader-friendly overview of primary syphilis, focusing on the characteristic yet frequently overlooked manifestation of the disease—the painless chancre. Through narrative examples and symptom comparisons, it explains how the absence of pain or dramatic signs enables early syphilis to spread unnoticed during sexual contact.

Syphilis vs Herpes: How to Tell Them Apart Without Guessing

The article provides a comprehensive, practical guide for individuals who notice genital or oral sores and are unsure whether they may have syphilis or herpes. It emphasizes that visual inspection alone is insufficient for diagnosis, as symptoms of these sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can overlap and vary widely. The guide explains the key differences between syphilis chancres—typically single, painless, firm sores—and herpes lesions—usually multiple, painful blisters—while highlighting that both infections can present atypically.