Gonorrhea: the “clap” making a comeback

"After a two decade decline in prevalence, the rate of gonorrhea has increased in Florida and the rest of the country. The latest data for Florida shows an increase in number of cases (~19,000 to ~23,000) and rates per 100,000 people (111.5 to 129.0) from 2003 to the latest numbers in 2007."

Dealing With the Chronic Itch ‘Down There’ | EmpowHer - Women's Health Online

"How many women have had a yeast infection? How many women thought they had a yeast infection and instead it was bacterial vaginosis (BV)? What’s the difference?

The vagina is its own little ecosystem. It plays host to a number of flora that live in there and has the ability to self-correct if things get off balance. Typically, your pH runs from 3.5 to 4.5, so it’s relatively acidic. Blood (from your period) and semen increase the pH to be around seven. Ovulation also increases your pH to match that of potential incoming sperm (making it a friendly environment instead of killing them off)."

L.A. County launches new campaign against sexually transmitted diseases | L.A. Now | Los Angeles Times

"Concerned about the rate of sexually transmitted infections among young women, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is offering free in-home testing kits through a new mail-in service.

The program is aimed primarily at black and Latina women below the age of 25, who make up a disproportionate number of those infected, said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, who directs the county health department.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea often have no symptoms. But left untreated, they can cause serious long-term problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease and damage to reproductive organs."

Monitor Online | News | Gonorrhea, syphilis resistant to Penicillin

"Gonorrhea and syphilis, the sexually transmitted infections that have for long been treated and cured using penicillin have become resistant to the medicine, Health Ministry officials have confirmed.

The Director General of Health Services, Dr Sam Zaramba, confirmed last Friday that both gonorrhea and syphilis had become resistant to the first line medicine for their treatment."