STDs
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections which
are passed through intimate contact and generally effect the genital
areas. Unfortunately many who are infected with an STD are not
aware of it, which means the infections continues to spread to
new people. Fortunately there are successful cures for many STDs.
Types of STDs
There are many types of sexually transmitted diseases, but the
most common include:
- Chlamydia
- Crabs
- Gonorrhea
- Hepatitis
- Herpes
Preventing STDs
Abstinence is the only fail-proof way to prevent being infected
with STDs, but if you know the risks and still desire to be sexually
active there are other protective measures you can take. The first
thing to do in order to protect yourself is to limit the number
of people that you have sex with and to be careful not to be intimate
with someone who has had a lot of sexual partners. During sex
itself, most critical thing you can do is to always use a condom
for any type of sexual activity, including oral and anal sex.
To be truly effective, you must use the condom from start to finish,
and not just for vaginal penetration.
Testing for STDs
Because most STDs have symptoms that may be mistaken for other
things, or have no immediate symptoms at all, the only way to
know if you have STDs is to go to a doctor or clinic and ask to
be tested. Most tests require a urine sample, although your doctor
may need to take a blood sample or swab an active sore for other
tests.
Treatment for STDs
Treatments vary depending on the types of sexually transmitted
diseases. The treatment may be as easy as getting a series of
pills or a cream that must be applied, or may involve shots or
even surgery. If you receive medicines to treat STDs, make sure
to take all of it, and don’t have sex until a doctor has
cleared you to do so, in order to prevent exposing anyone else.
