Just as the name suggests, sexually transmitted diseases are acquired through sexual contact. The viruses and bacteria causing the infections are spread via semen, blood, or vaginal fluids. How can you protect yourself from these diseases, and are there treatment options? Continue reading to get basic information on STIs.
The Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Gonorrhea: This is a treatable infection that affects the mouth, genitals, or throat.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) develops when chlamydia or gonorrhea infections go untreated. However, not all PID cases are sexually transmitted. The signs are nausea, vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain, and heavy or painful bleeding.
- Genital warts: These are white bumps on the genitals or anus. The condition is manageable, although warts can disappear on their own and re-appear.
- Syphilis: The infection appears as a small sore on the anus or genitals. If left untreated, the disease can cause serious health repercussions such as loss of vision, memory, hearing, and brain or spinal cord infections.
The Best Ways to Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Use Condoms
The correct use of condoms consistently reduces the chances of sexually transmitted infections. Use a condom for vaginal and anal sex. If you are allergic to latex condoms, use synthetic condoms, although they break easily.
Wash Before and After Sex
Clean your hands before engaging in sex and wash them after sexual contact. Use clean towels, and don’t share your undergarments or towels. In addition, urinating after sex can help flush bacteria from the body, thus reducing the chances of STIs and UTIs.
Mutual Monogamy
You can decide to be sexually active with one person, and the partner should reciprocate. This is a reliable method if you stay in a long-term monogamous relationship with an uninfected person. Be faithful and honest to prevent contracting STIs.
Get Vaccinated
Vaccines are recommended for preventing HPV and Hepatitis B. HPV vaccines are usually administered to young teens between 11 and 12 years old or up to 26. However, adults aged between 27 and 45 who haven’t been vaccinated previously may decide to get the vaccine, although it may be less effective due to HPV exposure.
Use Preexposure Prophylaxis
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of PrEP to prevent HIV infections. Non-infected people use the medicine, so you should always have a test before using it. However, if you have an infectious disease, you need to see a specialist before using PrEP. To be safe, you should include a condom to lower the chances of infection.
Abstain
Abstaining from sex is the most effective way of preventing STIs and HIV. An STI can be spread by sharing sexual fluids or touching genitals. You can still have fun with romantic partners without indulging in any sexual contact.
Stay Away From Alcohol and Drugs
An intoxicated person isn’t in the right state of mind. Most drunkards engage in unsafe sex and contract sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, an intoxicated person is always at risk of forced sex, which may lead to infections.
Restriction on Sexual Partners
You can reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases by reducing the number of sexual partners. Get tested for HIV and other infections with your partner. You can also opt for sex toys. Most women wonder, are vibrators OK while pregnant? It is appropriate to use them and you should talk with your doctor to get full information.
Seek Medical Care after Rape
Most rape victims do not seek medical care due to stigma, but immediate medical care can reduce the chances of contracting an STI, especially HIV. The doctor will prescribe medicine and offer counseling services.
Male Circumcision
Circumcision can help males minimize the risks of contracting HIV from infected women by up to 60%. Male circumcision can also help to prevent genital HPV and herpes transmission. This is because uncircumcised men’s foreskin attracts viruses.
Sexually transmitted diseases are usually common to sexually active people. Some infections show symptoms while others don’t. Therefore, it’s best to practice safe sex or abstain from living an STI-free life.