Missed Sex in the Dark? Don’t worry, Health Services here to answer some unanswered questions that came up during the event:

  1. Does cranberry juice work to cure a UTI? Cranberry juice and cranberry supplements will not treat an active urinary tract infection (UTI). A UTI is a bacterial infection that will need to be treated with antibiotics. There have been some studies that demonstrated a potential ability to prevent recurrent UTIs in some people that use cranberry products, however the results are not definitive. Also, studies do not support a specific dose or frequency with using these products. With that said, cranberry products are not routinely recommended to prevent recurrent UTIs.
  2. At our age (in the 20s) is it okay to have ED? What are treatment options for people our age? Erectile dysfunction (ED) does occur in younger people. A 2013 study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that 26% of cases of ED occur in people ages 40 and under. Getting an erection involves interactions involving the brain, hormones, circulatory system, nerves and muscles. An issue in any of these systems can lead to ED. In addition to physical causes, there can be psychological causes that can affect ED such as depression, stress, or performance anxiety. Certain medications, smoking, recreational drug use and alcohol can also be factors for the development of ED. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about having ED as it could be a sign of a medical or psychological condition. Treatment options depend on the cause of ED; however, some treatment options can include healthy lifestyle changes, counseling, or medication.
  3. Is it common to bleed as a girl after sex? There are many reasons for bleeding that can occur after sex. Most commonly bleeding is caused by vaginal dryness or friction during sex, however more serious causes need to be checked including cervical infections that cause inflammation (STIs, vaginitis) and rarely, vaginal or cervical cancer. Your healthcare provider will need to take a look at your medical history and perform a pelvic exam to determine the cause of your bleeding.