Ask the Sexpert

Dear Sexpert,

I've had a few episodes where I couldn't get and keep a boner, and it's starting to freak me out. Everyone says it happens to lots of guys. I'm not sure that's true. How common is it really?

— Rising Junior

Dear Rising,

First off, don't freak out. It sounds really cliche, but lots of guys have trouble getting and keeping erections sometimes. It tends to happen more frequently with age, but even young guys have this issue.

There are lots of causes. Alcohol can impair erectile functioning, and so can stress and fatigue. Sounds a lot like the college atmosphere, doesn't it? Different medications can also make things pretty hard, by making certain things pretty soft.

Chances are you should just relax and go at it again some other time, when you're sober and able to chill out and not think about other things while you're trying to get erect. Stressing out about not being able to get an erection only makes things worse since anxiety may have contributed to the problem in the first place.

Erectile dysfunction, however, might be a sign of some other issue. So, if this occurs often over a long span of time — regularly and when you haven't been drinking — you should see a doctor. Luckily, medications are available to treat erectile dysfunction, such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

Lastly, don't forget to reassure your partner that you haven't lost interest in him or her. It's easy for him/her to assume it's his/her fault that you can't get or keep an erection.

— The Sexpert

Dear Sexpert,

Can you tell me more about herpes and syphilis? Can they be treated and completely removed from one's body? What is the treatment involved in doing this?

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— STI Researcher

Dear STI Researcher,

Let's start with some background information on herpes. Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Both can appear in the mouth or genital area, but the majority of genital herpes cases are caused by HSV-2. According to recent research, one in four people has HSV-2 without any symptoms. Even without symptoms, one is still able to spread herpes. This is known as asymptomatic shedding.

For those who do show symptoms, there are generally one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take around 12 days to heal the first time they occur. Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but it is almost always less severe and shorter than the first outbreak, if one's immune system is functioning properly. Though the infection can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease over a period of years.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for herpes. But there are antiviral medications on the market that work to shorten and prevent outbreaks while the person is taking the medication. In addition, daily suppressive therapy for symptomatic herpes can reduce transmission to partners. I strongly advise practicing safe sex with partners, however, because you are able to transmit herpes anytime, whether or not you are having an outbreak. Condoms help prevent the transmission of herpes, but other than abstinence there is no absolutely "safe sex" since herpes can be spread skin-to-skin.

Syphilis, on the other hand, is fairly easy to cure when caught early. Unfortunately, many of those infected with syphilis may have it for years without any symptoms. Because syphilis sores can be hidden in the vagina, rectum or mouth, it may not be obvious that a partner has syphilis.

There are three stages of syphilis: primary, secondary and late. The primary stage has the telltale single sore known as a chancre and may include multiple sores. The chancre is usually firm, round, small and painless. It appears at the spot where syphilis entered the body, sometimes healing without treatment.

If adequate treatment is not administered, however, the infection will progress to the secondary stage. Sympoms can be flu-like, or include hair loss and rashes on the hands and feet. The disease will rarely progress to the last stage. If it does, effects include dementia, loss of vision, skin lesions and heart disease. Complications of this may result in death. Luckily, syphillis can be treated by injecting the infected person with penicillin or a similar antibiotic.

If you are worried that you have contracted an STI you should definitely go to Women's and Men's Health Services in McCosh Health Center, where doctors can diagnose and treat you.

— The Sexpert

"Sexpert" is written by a team of peer sexual health educators and fact-checked by University health professionals. Submit questions, to be published anonymously Thursdays, to sexpert@dailyprincetonian.com. Don't be shy!