Sexually Transmitted Diseases: The Basics

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are infectious diseases that are usually passed during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. However, STDs can be passed during or before childbirth and whenever someone’s genitals touch another person’s skin. According to Your Total Health, some sexually transmitted diseases are bacterial and viral while others are caused by parasites. The most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States are HIV/AIDS, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV).

The Center for Disease Control reports that two-thirds of all STDs are found in people under the age of twenty-five. One of the scary aspects of obtaining a STD is that many don’t have any signs or symptoms. If you’re sexually active, then you should be getting tested at least once every year. Some common signs of having an STD are raised bumps or sores on the genital area, discharge, painful urination, lower abdominal pain, and itching. If you notice any of these signs, you should contact your primary care physician or gynecologist.

The sexually transmitted diseases caused by parasites are pubic lice, trichomoniasis, and scabies. If you contract one of these diseases, you will probably feel intense itching and burning. These parasites receive nourishment from the host that they infect.

The viral STDS are HIV/AIDS, genital herpes, viral hepatitis, and HPV. These viral infections can’t be cured. They can be treated to decrease outbreak and symptoms but the virus will remain in the body. According the Mayo Clinic the early symptoms of HIV are fever, headache, fatigue, swollen lymph glands and a rash.

Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, chancroid, and granuloma inguinale are all caused by bacteria. According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of Chlamydia and gonorrhea are similar and include painful urination, discharge, pain during sex, and lower abdominal pain. But it’s important to remember that most people contracting these diseases don’t have symptoms.

What are the risk factors for STDs?

Having multiple sexual partners is a considerable risk factor. If you’re practicing safe sex, then you decrease the chance of contracting a STD; however, if you’re having sex with numerous people the chances that one of them has an STD is relatively high. Many people have STDs without knowing it.
Another risk factor of contracting an STD is having unprotected sex which includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Every time that you participate in sexual activity you should utilize protection to decrease your risk factors.
Sharing needles for drug use is an additional risk factor.

How can you prevent STDs?

Practice abstinence. This is the only way that you can dramatically reduce your risk of contracting an STD.
If you’re choosing to have sex, limit the amount of your sexual partners.
Know your partner’s sexual history. If your partner hasn’t been tested, then go together to get tested for STDs. Be suspicious if your partner refuses.
Practice safe sex by always using protection which includes utilizing protection during oral sex. Invest in flavored condoms.
Don’t share sex toys. These toys may have genital fluid containing STDs on them.
Urinate after sexual intercourse. This will help to flush out parasites or fluid that entered the vagina or penis.

Why should you care about early detection of STDs? If you don’t treat some STDs, then you can suffer from liver failure, cancer, infertility, neurological problems, and death. It’s important to know your STD status. If you’re pregnant, then you should get tested during the first prenatal doctor’s appointment. You can limit the risks to your baby by getting tested and treating any diseases. Complications can occur if you have an STD while pregnant and/or giving birth. They include eye disorders, deafness, bone deformities, mental retardation, stillbirth, prematurity, pneumonia, brain damage, bacterial infections, and death.

If you take care of yourself and your body throughout your life by getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases, you’ll be doing yourself a favor. Many people avoid getting tested, because they’re frightened of what they might find out. Refusing to get tested could be a costly decision long-term.

Talk to someone about your concerns and fears. Confide in a close friend or family member. Ask if he/she will go with you when you get tested for moral support. If you don’t feel like you can trust a friend or family member, talk to a therapist about your concerns. A trusted expert could help you look at your fears and get past them, so you can get tested on your own.