Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

STD: It Could Happen To You

Whether we admit or not, we are living in a sexually permissive society. We see it everyday. Take a look at the music videos of popular artists with provocative suggestions of sex, as well as films touted to be artistically produced and directed. Even advertising makes use of subliminal messages of seduction to promote their products. There is really nothing wrong with sex if it's done safely and responsibly.

Boys and girls will normally get curious and interested about sex as they go through physical and emotional changes during puberty. And due to media and internet access, our youth are easily exposed to a lot of possibilities about sex. The risks of acquiring Sexually Transmitted Diseases or STD are high in this age group. It is the responsibility of the parents to strike a balance between teaching their teens about responsible sexual health while, at the same time, making them understand that the knowledge about safe sex does not give them a license to engage in sex with every willing party and at every available opportunity.

What is Sexually Transmitted Disease?
Sexually Transmitted Diseases or STD are diseases caused by viral or bacterial infections that can be transmitted through sexual contact. STD can affect sexually active men and women of all ages and backgrounds. People who are aware of STD may experience social, emotional and psychological stress due to guilt or embarrassment. But there is more to STD than stress and shame. These diseases are serious sexual health problems that may cause permanent damage such as infertility. If not given proper attention, STDs may even lead to serious complications and even death, as morbidly shown in the thousands of AIDS cases around the world.

But the good news is, STD can be treated. The spread of STD is due to the common misconception that only people who engage in sexual intercourse get the infection. STD, like herpes or genital warts, can be acquired through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area or sore. The myth that one cannot get infected through oral and anal sex is what it is --- a myth. Viruses or bacteria that cause STD can enter the body through tiny cuts or tears in the mouth and anus, as well as the genitals.

The fact that it is difficult to tell whether a person is infected or not makes STD spread easily. People who are infected may not even know that they have STD, thus, endangering their partners with the infection without even realizing it. Sometimes, it takes a long time before any signs or symptoms of STD appear.

The following are some of the most common STDs that affect sexually active individuals:

Chlamydia – is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacterial infection. Chlamydia often infects the cervix in women while the urethra, rectum and eyes can be infected in both sexes.

Gonorrhea - is a bacterial infection that is sexually transmitted and can infect the cervix, urethra, rectum, anus and throat. It is possible to be infected with gonorrhea and have no obvious symptoms.
Crabs or Pubic Lice - are small, crab shaped blood-sucking parasites that live on pubic hair but can also be found wherever there is hair such as in the armpits, on the body, and even in facial hair such as the eyebrows. Crabs or pubic lice can also survive away from the body and may be found in clothes, bedding and towels.

Genital Herpes - is caused by the virus called herpes simplex and can affect the mouth, genital area, the skin around the anus, and the fingers.

Genital Warts – are small fleshy growths found anywhere on a man or woman's genital area, or on different parts of the body, such as the hands and anus. If a woman has warts on her cervix, this may cause slight bleeding or, very rarely, an unusual and colored vaginal discharge.

Syphilis - is a bacterial infection that is sexually transmitted and may also be passed from an infected mother to her unborn child. Syphilis has several stages. The primary and secondary stages are very infectious.

STD Risk Factors
After knowing the types of STDs that commonly infect sexually active individuals, it is best to be informed about the following risk factors associated with sex-related illnesses:
· Curiosity about sex among young people almost always lead them to sexual experimentation. The younger people start to have sex, the greater their risk becoming infected with an STD.

· Promiscuity or having lots of different sex partners increases the risk of getting STD infections than those who stay with the same partner.

· Lack of sexual responsibility or being unprotected during sex exposes individuals to possible risks of getting STD infections.

Prevention and Treatment
Just like with other medical conditions, preventing Sexually Transmitted Diseases is much easier than treating them. Abstinence from all types of sexual contact may be the only way to prevent STD. But people do not have to deprive themselves of sex as long as they remain faithful to their partners or at least, try to use condoms and other birth control methods that also serve as sexual safety aids. Other birth control methods may help prevent pregnancy but only latex condoms can lessen the risk of getting an STD.

People who are sexually active should consider getting regular gynecological or male genital examinations to give doctors not just the opportunity to check for STD while they are still in their earliest and most treatable stage. Sexually active people should be well-formed about STDs and the various ways to protect themselves.

People should always be honest about their sexual history especially during consultations with doctors. The more you hold back, the more chances you allow STD to develop and cause more serious damage.There is a delicate harmony that balances guilt-free sexual health awareness, self-worth, and social responsibility. Parents need to be more willing to hold open discussions with their children. It is the duty of the parents to prepare their children in the matters of physical, emotional and social dimensions of sexual health and its consequences. STD is a serious sexual disease. Remember: It could happen to you.

Important Information on Condoms

Most people really have no idea as to just how much important information there is to learn about condoms, not just in general but also in regards to your health and potentially your life. There is some very valuable information available regarding condoms that everyone should be aware of.

What They Are
Condoms are a barrier method of contraception. Condoms of today are made of polyurethane, as opposed what they used to be made of, which was latex. Condoms are worn by the male during sexual intercourse. Their job is to block ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner, thus helping to prevent pregnancy. They are also the only barrier method available that can prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis and gonorrhea. If worn properly, condoms typically have about a 99.9% success rate of protection in all these areas.

Types and Sizes
There are more types and sizes of condoms than you would think, so it is important that you choose the right ones eg., safex condoms. Otherwise you could be putting both yourself and your partner at risk. First, you should know that condoms come in a variety of shapes. They may be regular-shaped with straight sides, form-fitted where there is an indent below the head of the penis, and flared, in which the condom is wider in the part just above the head of the penis. You will want to choose the shape of condom that is going to be most comfortable for you and also one that fits properly so it won’t be too tight, which can cause the condom to tear, or too loose and have the condom accidentally slip off.
When it comes to size, there is no standard length, but most condoms are able to stretch naturally in order to fit the size of the man’s penis. You will have to pick and choose from the different sizes to find the condom that best fits your own particular size.

How to Use
Condoms should come with the directions listed on the box. However, the rules are pretty basic and simple. Just open the condom package at the corner, making sure to be careful so that you don’t rip the latex, and then place the rolled condom over the tip of the penis, pinching the reservoir at the top of the condom in order to ensure that all the air is out of the tip. Be sure to roll the condom all the way down to the base of the penis as far as it will go, and smooth out any air bubbles that may be present along the sides of the condom. You can also add extra lubrication onto the condom once it has been put on, but make sure not to use too much because you do not want the condom to be able to slip off during intercourse.

Health and Safety
One of the most important things about condoms in general is that they protect against sexually transmitted diseases, and there is no other form of contraception that is capable of this. However, in terms of pregnancy, even though condoms have an incredibly high success rate when used properly, you may still want to include an additional form of contraception, such as the birth control pill or a diaphragm. It is up to you to look after the health of both you and your sexual partner, and together you are going to have to come up with a plan that is going to work for you both.

The Various Methods in Which a Person Can Get a Venereal Disease

Venereal disease can be anything from genital warts to herpes and is also commonly known as VD (venereal disease), STD (sexually transmitted disease), and also STI (sexually transmitted infection).

It is also known that most if not all venereal disease problems are contagious. This means that things such as herpes can be passed from one sexual partner to another through vaginal sex, oral sex, or anal sex. More frequently you will also find that a person who has a venereal disease is, or has been, sexually active with more than one partner.

Multiple sexual partners can be a very large part of contracting a venereal disease. Other reasons can include lowered immunity in a person, a deficiency of the immune system due to an illness, the overuse of drugs (such as steroid usage), stress, and poor nutrition and nutritional habits.

Many people are also at risk from a venereal disease who also have a history of STD’s, who begin sexual relations at a very young age, and who use personal items such clothing and towels of the person who is infected with a venereal disease.

It has also been shown that alcohol and cigarette consumption in more than moderate amounts can be detrimental to the health and pave the way for contracting a venereal disease more easily.

Women who are pregnant run the risk of contracting venereal disease more easily than if they were not pregnant. This is due to the fact that the body of a pregnant woman lowers its immunity to accommodate the growing fetus.

Other instances where a person can contract a venereal disease include unprotected sex, sharing of needles and such, and also in some cases, blood transfusions. And these are all only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the various methods in which a person can get a venereal disease.

Treatments for the different venereal disease infections will also vary with each infection, just as the symptoms of the different venereal disease infections also vary. Just to get a feel for the widely differing symptoms and treatments which accompany venereal disease infections, a short list of venereal disease infections have been compiled.

First and foremost is AIDS, then Genital Warts (HPV), Genital Herpes (HSV), Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Scabies. And this is only a short list. There are more than enough venereal disease infections doing the rounds in this day and age of sexual revolution.

And the problem with the venereal disease infections which cropped up over the last 20-30 years is that these are for the most part, resistant to modern medicines. This means that most of these can’t be fully cured.

The symptoms of the venereal disease can be cured but not necessarily the venereal disease itself. At least not the modern ones like genital warts (HPV), genital herpes (HSV), and HIV/AIDS. And that is definitely not a pleasant thought.

STD Symptoms

STD (sexually transmitted disease) better known as STI (sexually transmitted infections) caused due to sexual contact. These are infectious disease and are passed from one person to another through sexual contacts, oral sex and anal sex. This is real threat to our society as teenage boys and girls are getting affected and the number is increasing at an alarming rate. At least this disease grips 80% of the people. 40 million people around the globe are suffering from this disease and half of them are women.

It is the matter of great concern for those countries which are having the highest number of population affected. The main cause is practicing of unsafe and unprotected sex i.e. sex done without using condoms, faulty use of condoms or the oral sex. It is very difficult to trace the early signs of the disease. The symptoms are not seen but the disease may still remain active, but if there is any change in the body or some symptoms like the, foul smell in vagina, unusual discharge from penis or vagina, abnormal bleeding, burning sensation while urination, , itching and swelling in testicals or vagina, mouth sores, warts or some transparent blisters around the vaginal area or testicals or pale skin and eyes, or unexplained tiredness may be due to the diseases like Gonorrhea Hepatitis (viral), Syphilis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) or Genital Warts. All these are different types of sexually transmitted disease. But the one which is incurable and fast spreading is HIV positive (aids).

Those people involved in sex with multiple partners or more than one partner is more prone to sex related problems or easily susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases. Those with less sexual partner or only one sex partner have low risk of getting affected. The safest way to be away from such disease is to stop engaging in multiple sexes, avoiding sex with multiple partners and using condoms. The condoms are available both for men and women. Without condoms the risk of transmission manifests many folds. See to it that you use condom before every sexual encounter. The contraceptive pill available can only help you in avoiding conception but never protects from transmitting STD.

If you find some of your symptoms are abnormal, immediately consult the doctor. If you are found positive don’t panic, as most of the sexually transmitted diseases can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage. But it is very essential that you complete the prescribed medication for an STD, don’t leave your treatment in between and the situation can become grave.

Surveys have revealed that many people who are infected and are aware of this fact still continue sex in an unsafe manner, neither do they tell the partner or they use condom, which is really wrong. Even one unsafe sexual encounter can transmit the infection. Practice safe sex and save yourself from getting infected from these diseases.

Sexually transmitted diseases - The Price of Sexual Freedom

In this modern era, sexual freedom is taken for granted and little is thought of promiscuity as it was in past generations. However, the reality is that this sexual freedom also carries with it the very real threat of sexually transmitted disease. Because not all sexually transmitted diseases are curable, it is essential to take steps to avoid them.

A sexually transmitted disease or STD is actually a combination of several different conditions that are all acquired through sexual intercourse. AIDS, a disease caused by the HIV virus, is the most serious of the sexually transmitted diseases and, despite some progress in recent years, is still incurable and is usually fatal.

Some of the other problematic STDs include syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and non specific urethritis. There are also a few other diseases such as pubic lice, genital warts, trichomoniasis, and monilia that are classed as STDs but are of a less serious nature.

The incidence of sexually transmitted diseases has increased over time and today there are more recorded cases than at any time in the past three decades. This is because people, especially young people, feel that the use of contraception allows more sexual freedom and has led to a change in the views of sexual behaviour. It is also a fact that this sexual freedom has led to people becoming sexually active at an increasingly younger age. However, not all contraception can stop the spread of infections caught during sexual intercourse.

Syphilis
One of the most serious STDs is syphilis which is highly infectious and, if it remains untreated, can result in death. Even if it is not fatal, the probability of disability is high.

Not only can the syphilis bacteria be contracted during sexual intercourse, but it can also be passed to the unborn child of an infected mother. The baby is then born with a condition known as congenital syphilis. This is quite uncommon in this era as all pregnant women undergo routine blood testing.

The incubation period for syphilis varies. The first symptoms can also vary, thus making early diagnosis difficult. Usually, the first symptom is a painless ulcer around the genital area, the anus, or the mouth. Because this ulcer heals without any medical intervention, the person doesn’t normally do anything about it, thinking that it is nothing important.

If this disease is not treated early, it is likely to result in death. It is therefore essential that, if a person believes he or she may have been in contact with an infected person, that medical advice is obtained immediately.

Gonorrhea
Another serious and very common disease contracted by sexual intercourse is gonorrhea. Often, the female is unaware that she is infected because around eighty percent have no symptoms. Other women suffer from dysuria (pain while urinating) or from lower abdominal pain. This is because it involves the fallopian tubes and can therefore lead to sterility.

The disease is more obvious for the male, resulting in dysuria followed by a discharge from the penis. This occurs within a week of contracting the infection. Gonorrhea in the male is usually confirmed by laboratory testing of the discharge.

A dose of penicillin is the normal treatment for gonorrhea in both male and female sufferers. It is also vital that the person abstain from alcohol and from sexual intercourse for a period of several weeks. Although the treatment relieves the symptoms quickly, it is essential that the person continues to have medical maintenance to ensure that the cure is complete. A responsible person should inform any sexual partners of their infection so that they may be examined and treated if necessary.

NSU
The most common sexually transmitted disease is nonspecific urethritis or NSU which continues to increase at an remarkable rate. Many cases of NSU are caused by the Chlamydia germ but not all. NSU is an inflammation of the urethra and has no identifiable cause.

The primary symptom is a discharge from the penis. This may be nothing more than moistness at the tip of the penis but this can vary. The discharge is different to the discharge in gonorrhea and makes it easier to recognize. There is also pain on urinating.

Genital herpes
Genital herpes, another sexually transmitted disease, has reached epidemic proportions in the Western world. This is because the herpes virus cannot be cured and so, once infected, the person carries the germ permanently. Thus, any person infected adds to the population of carriers.

There are two herpes viruses. The first one, HSV 1, is normally found around the mouth and is known as cold sores. The second one, HSV 2 , is an infection passed by sexual contact and is normally found in the genital area and the anus, as well as on the bladder, the buttocks, the thighs and the legs of both male and female sufferers.

After the first attack the virus lies dormant in the body. It will then recur time and time again, usually in the same place, appearing as a painful blister. When any of these blisters are open, the carrier is extremely infectious. Usually, the attacks are linked to emotional or physical lows such as depression, stress, or injury.

Genital herpes causes pain and distress to an adult but is not fatal. However, if the herpes virus is passed to an infant during its journey down the birth canal of an infected mother, it is often fatal. It is important for the mother to inform the medical professionals so that they can monitor her pregnancy and possibly advise her to have the baby by cesarean section.

Genital herpes cannot be cured but there are ways of making the attacks more bearable. By keeping the affected area clean and dry, the carrier can ward off secondary infections. Pain can be kept to a minimum by the application of cold compresses and also by taking salt baths.

Female sufferers need to have a pap smear annually as genital herpes has been linked to cervical cancer.

In women, vaginal discharge may constitute reasons for concern. However, if the discharge is clear, it is unlikely to be the result of disease. If the discharge is offensive and discolored and causes irritation to the vagina and vulva, it would suggest the presence of infection which may need to be investigated. It is essential that this is not allowed to continue and medical advice should be sought as soon as possible, especially if this is accompanied by abdominal pain and fever as it may be an indication of a sexually transmitted disease.

Prevention
Obviously, the best way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases is by abstinence or monogamy. However, if considering sex with a new partner, it would be wise to use a condom until you are sure about the person. If you are worried, cleaning the genital area thoroughly with soap and water after intercourse will kill many of the bacteria. This is true for both males and females.

It is extremely dangerous to apply antiseptic lotions to the genital area and particularly to pour strong antiseptic into the urethra or vagina as it can cause serious and permanent internal damage.

If you believe there is any possibility that you may have an STD, do not hesitate to seek medical attention. Everything that happens is confidential and no information is given to anyone without your permission.