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Guest bio
Dr. Karthik has obtained his MD in Neuropsychiatry from JSS Medical College. Following his on-field training he has practiced at Manipal Fertility for over 4 years out of his 13 years of practice. He also hold additional certification in andrology and sexual medicine and will be using the same knowledge to talk to us about important topics including viagra use. He also teaches undergraduates and post graduates in the field of sexual medicine and psychiatry.
"Condom is the only way where you can actually avoid a pregnancy and a STD."
- Dr. Karthik, Psychiatrist, Allo Health
Viewer’s QnA from the podcast
Q: Can I get infections through oral sex? And is there a way to prevent it?
Yes, frankly speaking, if a mucous membrane touches another mucous membrane there's always a risk of infection. I think just to like, explain for the audience- mucous membrane Something (that is) a part of the skin. Right. Yeah, that does. Then there is always a risk of transmission. Definitely. Slightly lesser when compared to normal vaginal sexual intercourse. So the risk is more when we talk about anal sex, the risk is slightly lesser when we actually talk about oral sex as such, And with oral sex, you think condoms again, since we were talking about condoms, can be a way to prevent or at least reduce the risk? Definitely. Definitely. That is why there are so many flavored condoms, right? I think people don't know that.
Q: I used a condom when I had sex last, but now my period is late. Could I be pregnant?
Yes. You have to realize that even condoms are only 98-99% safe. There is always a chance of rupture of the condom. Or sometimes what people do is they wear a condom after having sexual intercourse for some time, just before ejaculation, just to avoid the pleasure. So the pre ejaculate which comes that can also lead to a pregnancy that might also have some amount of sperms in the body. So even that can lead to pregnancy. Yes, there could be a chance. You need to get it checked.
Q: If I'm having sex with more than one person, how often should I get tested?
You need to realize that even if you get tested just after sexual activity, the reports usually come negative. You usually have to wait for at least have to wait for 20 days. Where the body picks up, the infection starts throwing antibodies. That is what we detect in the test. Right. So, yes. How often now that depends on you. Theres an entity called venero-phobia, where people test themselves, you know, once every month or once every week for, you know, ages together? Probably not recommended. Yeah. Wait for 20 days after your previous exposure. Get yourself tested if youre negative, just take that youre negative until and unless you show any symptoms, or if you show any symptoms like there is a lesion in the penis or in the personal part of a female. Or if you having recurrent fevers, then it's better to get tested. There is no recommended criteria for this. Usually it is 20 days after your previous sexual activity.
Read transcript
Sexpert + Topic Intro
I was watching TV with my parents
and then this sensualised condom ad
came on and I was like,
Oh my God, where do I look?
And then I was like- wait, wait, wait.
I'm old enough to know about condoms,
watch condom ads,
and even talk about condoms.
And that's exactly
what I'm going to do today.
Of course, you know,
the show- Allo #AskTheSexpert,
a space where we invite sexual
health and wellness
experts to talk about sex,
pleasure, wellness,
and so much more
so that you can have better sex,
backed by science.
Today we have another expert
from Allo Health,
Dr. Karthik, who's a psychiatrist.
How are you doing today?
I'm doing well Artika, thank you.
So Dr. Karthik,
like we were talking about condoms,
I think condoms are the first thing
that one thinks of
when we think of sex, whether you know
a little bit about sex or a lot.
So are you ready
to get into this conversation?
Definitely.
So I think when it comes to condoms,
one thing
that we want to talk about is safe sex.
But on the Internet nowadays,
there's a word called safer sex,
which is trending.
And I'm just sitting and wondering,
what is the difference
Safe Sex v/s Safer Sex
between safe and safer sex?
Frankly speaking, safer sex is possibly a
a misnomer. Okay?
There is no difference
between safe, safer or safest sex.
Yeah,
This is probably invented by people
who are you
a bit more anxious
regarding sexual activity,
Right. You know,
who actually want to feel
a bit more safer-
so they invented this.
So probably, if you ask me,
safer or the safest
sex is always with protection
and possibly, with a condom. Always.
I mean, that's
exactly why we wanted
to talk about condoms today.
So what is the reason that condoms
Reasons Why Condoms Are The BEST
have become so popular?
And it's not just today.
They've always been very,
very popular for so many years-
theyre part of government policies.
Theyre part of
you know, public health centers as well.
What is the reason
that condoms are that popular
and not some of the other methods?
Yes.
So when we talk about anything
which is helping us
in having a safe sex, or safer
to be really frank.
There are
few things which we have to keep in mind.
One is the side effect of anything
which we use.
One is the availability. Now condoms
have revolutionized the sex industry
because of the availability, first thing.
And the other one
is because
of being devoid
of any of the side effects
which probably
the other methods of contraception have.
Yeah.
So condoms
as such right now are the cheapest
and the safest method,
which can be used as a contraceptive,
which also actually as an added
benefit prevents
any kind of transmission of STDs-
sexually transmitted diseases
when you're actually involving
yourself in any kind of activity.
Yeah, you're absolutely right.
You know, when you say
condoms are not just for unplanned pregnancies,
but also prevent STI
transmission or lower the risk.
Even then,
I know of so many people
Prefer NOT Using Condoms?
who don't want to use a condom.
So what's your take on that? Yes.
So as I was
telling that, are condoms
is actually the safest
and the cheapest
method available right now.
But there are certain
religious constraints
in few communities
which devoid them from using a condom.
And moreover,
a few people do not use it
because it actually affects
their pleasure.
However, there are new types of condoms
now which are used to enhance
pleasure, all these things.
But condoms
usually come
with a small amount of anesthetic,
gel in them.
That IS
in fact to increase
the timing of the male partner,
but as a side effect,
they actually cause, you know,
reduced sexual pleasure.
So that is why some people
avoid using a condom.
I think that's a very
scientific fact
that you mentioned, though
I don't think a lot of people
even know that fact.
I actually know a lot of people
who've never used a condom
and theyre like well never use it.
So I think
if anything,
this information
should help them make a decision.
So now when if a person
does not want to use a condom,
Different Options Of Protection
there are various other methods which
you can use.
However, you should know that
preventing STD- condom is the best way.
Mm hmm.
So we would actually stress upon
using a condom as much as possible,
especially if the person
has multiple sexual partners
or if it's something else.
However, if you doesn't want to use then
there are different methods.
Like we say, the calendar method
where you know, all of us know that
the lady ovulates
usually on the 14th
day of her period. Hmm.
So sex should be avoided
between the 10th day and 20th day.
If you consider
the starting day of the period. Okay.
Like if your period starts
from first of this month from 10th to 20th,
you should avoid sex. Maybe before that
or after that, it's safe,
but not 100% effective
that you should know.
And that's why we use the word safer.
That it's safer. And it's not 100%.
It depends on the context whether youre looking
at avoiding your pregnancy
or you're looking at avoiding sexually transmitted disease
Okay. So,
apart from calendar method,
then there are OCP- oral
contraceptive pills.
Then again,
you know, the side
effect of all of these drugs
are too much. Yeah.
Because they cause some period
abnormalities, mood swings
in the female partner, especially,
sometimes bloating,
sometimes weight gain,
all these things.
So other safer methods
if you are
with a single partner,
if youre married, looking for a long term
contraceptive method
which is safer is actually
intra-uterine contraceptive device.
Now there are various
contraceptive devices
again, rates
starting from 1000 to 10, 20, 30,000.
But you need to consult a gynecologist
for that
who is going to appropriately advise you
which IUD is preferable.
But again, it's reversible,
so it should not be a problem.
I mean like, very personally speaking,
as someone who ovulates,
I don't even think of the calendar
method as a method of contraception.
You know, like we said, its-
kind of comes with a lot of risks and
to the point that you made that
you should consult a doctor- ah
currently in India
OCPs are also prescribed medicines-
You cant buy them over the counter.
So I definitely feel like
there's some weightage
to you saying
that- that any of the method
that one decides to choose
should come through a
doctors recommendation for sure,
and just talking about,
you know, all of the various methods
that you named right now
which work to prevent
unplanned pregnancies
but do not work to prevent STI transmission.
Is that correct?
Yes.
Definitely. Condom is the only way
where you can actually avoid
a pregnancy and a STD. Right.
So it brings me to a question
that I have to ask you,
because I've seen it
floating around all over the Internet,
which is Can
you have safe sex without a condom?
SAFE sex WITHOUT a condom?
And what does that question even mean?
Okay.
So to be really frank,
Ive had patients called me up,
who consult me and ask, you know,
I don't want to use a condom.
I want to have sex, I want to prevent
STD, is there any pill to do that.
Yeah. You just give me a pill before sex-
which I pop in and Im completely safe.
Is there a pill? No.
Okay.
If there was a pill, condoms
wouldn't have been so famous.
Not really.
Yeah. Oh, yeah. So nothing of that sort.
However,
if there is a post sex-
invariably have got into a sexual act,
and right now we are scared.
Yeah. Okay.
So that way there are-
theres something called as
Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PeP)
where we give a pill
Post & Pre-Propylaxis
for a period of one month.
Depends on the pill, frankly speaking.
But again, none of it is 100% sure.
These you have to keep it in mind-
these were invented for doctors
to help doctors,
because if they're operating or
if they're in contact
with the HIV patient
and there is some transmission, then
to prevent the HIV
from coming into our body,
it was invented.
It was never invented
for the purpose of having unprotected
sexual activity with the partner
and then pop in a pill- doesn't work that way.
Mm hmm.
So the safest
method, not even safer
-the safest method is always a condom.
Right. Got it.
I think that was a really cool
capsule
about condoms
and just explaining
why condoms are so popular.
And I do have to tell you
that we do have a segment
where we get audience questions.
So can I take you into that segment.
And for everybody who's tuned
in, this section is called
Ask your Question,
where you can drop your questions
in anonymously.
There is a link in the description
Ask Your Question- Sexpert Answers YOUR Questions!
and maybe we'll take your question
and ask them to the sexpert
the next episode.
So let's get into it Dr. Karthik-
The first question I've got is
Can I get infections through oral sex?
And is there a way to prevent it?
Yes, frankly speaking,
if a mucous membrane touches
another mucous membrane
there's always a risk of infection.
I think just to like, explain
for the audience- mucous membrane
Something (that is) a part of the skin. Right.
Yeah, that does.
Then there is always
a risk of transmission.
Definitely. Slightly lesser
when compared to normal
vaginal sexual intercourse.
So the risk is more
when we talk about anal sex,
the risk is slightly lesser
when we actually talk about oral sex
as such,
And with oral sex,
you think condoms again,
since we were talking about condoms,
can be a way to prevent
or at least reduce the risk?
Definitely. Definitely.
That is why there are so many flavored
condoms, right?
I think people don't know that.
Also, a very good point you brought up.
But yeah, moving on to the next question.
The next question is
I used a condom when I had sex last,
but now my period is late.
Could I be pregnant?
Yes.
You have to realize that even
condoms are only 98-99% safe.
There is always a chance
of rupture of the condom.
Or sometimes
what people do
is they wear a condom
after having sexual intercourse
for some time, just before ejaculation,
just to avoid the pleasure.
So the pre ejaculate
which comes
that can also lead to a pregnancy
that might also have some amount of
sperms in the body.
So even that can lead to pregnancy.
Yes, there could be a chance.
You need to get it checked.
You need to get it checked.
Great. Absolutely.
The third and the
last question for the day is
If I'm having sex
with more than one person,
how often should I get tested?
You need to realize that
even if you get tested
just after sexual activity,
the reports usually come negative.
You usually have to wait for
at least have to wait for 20 days.
Where the body picks up,
the infection starts throwing antibodies.
That is what we detect
in the test. Right. So, yes.
How often now that depends on you.
Theres an entity called venero-phobia,
where people test themselves, you know,
once every month or once
every week for, you know, ages together?
Probably not recommended.
Yeah. Wait
for 20 days after your previous exposure.
Get yourself tested if youre negative,
just take that youre negative until and unless
you show any symptoms, or if you
show any symptoms like there is
a lesion in the penis
or in the personal part of a female.
Or if you having recurrent fevers,
then it's better to get tested.
There is no recommended criteria for this.
Usually it is 20 days
after your previous sexual activity.
Got it.
I think that was all of
all the questions we had.
And you answered them all so brilliantly.
Thank you so much.
That does bring us
to the end of this episode.
And before we go,
I have to tell you all that you
please keep your comments coming in.
You can write to us. You can also DM us.
This is me Artika
and Dr. Karthik signing off.
We'll see you again
with another expert in another episode.
Until then, take care and bye!