It is natural to want to satisfy your sexual needs. Everyone is entitled to fulfill their body’s needs, whatever they may be. Exploring your sexuality can be fun and exciting, but it can also be risky and dangerous. Sexually transmitted diseases are rampant because these diseases are not being taken seriously.
Sexually active people do not prioritize getting tested because these types of infections do not show apparent symptoms. Early detection is the key to treating curable STDs and managing diseases that do not have a cure.
What Is STD?
STDs mean sexually transmitted diseases. These types of infections are often, but not all, spread through sexual intercourse. STDs are some of the most prevalent contagious diseases today. In fact, 110 million Americans carry some STD and pass it to other people. While some are aware of their condition, there are still people who are clueless that they have an STD. As a result, they become infected, and they become carriers of the infection. This cycle is continuous and would continue if proper protection is not used.
How is an STD Transmitted?
Sexually transmitted diseases are spread primarily through sex. However, some STDs are spread through skin-to-skin contact. For example, when you touch an infected part of a person with herpes, you can get infected. In other cases of chlamydia, HIV, HPV, and gonorrhea, you are more at risk of getting infected if you do not use protection during sex and you have multiple sex partners.
Most Common STDs
The possibility of getting infected with STDs is as high as the pleasure you feel when you are under the sheets with your partner. You need to know more about these common sexually transmitted diseases so you can avoid infection:
- Chlamydia. Being one of the most common STDs in the United States, Chlamydia cases soared and are now infecting 1.5 million people. This infection is usually transmitted through anal or vaginal sex. However, it can also be transmitted through oral sex. A common symptom is an unusual discharge from your genitals. Sadly, even though Chlamydia is curable with antibiotics, men and women still contract is because they fail to notice the symptoms early.
- Syphilis. Syphilis is one of those sexually transmitted diseases that can trick you. It is passed on through sexual activities. Therefore, a condom is your best protection against it. It can also be transmitted through pregnancy when a mother is already infected while she is pregnant. Symptoms look like regular sores or a harmless rash. These symptoms will eventually fade on their own, but you are already infected. Severe conditions include nerve and organ damage, and brain problems.
- Trichomoniasis. A small parasite causes trichomoniasis. Just a vagina-penis contact can get you infected with this STD. Common symptoms include sore and itching genitals and foul-smelling and colored discharge from your penis or vagina. Trichomoniasis is curable, but it is best to get tested early to avoid any complications.
STD Myths You May Still Be Believing
People who are infected with STDs feel discrimination because of STD myths. Those who do not have an STD tend to fear STD-positive patients due to the wrong information they have about the diseases. Some of the myths should be debunked to avoid spreading the incorrect information about these diseases.
- Only people who have sex can have STDs. This myth is often misleading because not everyone who is sexually active has an STD. Sometimes even infants have an STD. Those who use protection while having sexual intercourse minimize their risk of getting an STD. However, infants who were born from mothers who are positive with any STD are at risk of getting infected.
- If you and your partner have an STD, you will know it. Most STD symptoms are similar to the signs of common illnesses. Some STDs do not even show any alarming symptoms unless it is in its later stages.
- Anal and oral sex will not give you an STD. Any form of sex puts you at risk of contracting STDs. Therefore, you can still get an STD even if you stay away from vaginal sex and only perform anal and oral sex.
- Using two condoms is better than one. We live in a society where most people think that the more you have, the better. However, this belief does not apply to condom use. If you use two condoms during sex, the risk of getting an STD is higher. Friction causes the two condoms to tear and break, leaving you more vulnerable to infection. Therefore, it is best to use one condom every time you have sexual intercourse.
- You cannot get STD if you only had sex once. Even if you just had sex once, you can still get an STD, especially if your partner is already infected. You may not notice any symptoms of an STD, but when you or your sexual partner already have it, then you are at risk of getting infected or infecting someone else regardless of the number of times you had sex.
When it comes to sexually transmitted diseases, people need to be well informed for them to make a sound decision. The correct information about STDs must be relayed not only to sexually active people, but also to those who are not yet affected with STD. Once the people are aware of the truth about STDs, people who are infected can be more mindful of their actions, and those who are still free from this infection can understand how STD-positive patients feel. To have a thorough understanding on the possible health risks of STDs, you can click here for more information.
Angela Hall
Angie is a health enthusiast who specialises in spreading STD education across the country. She enjoys what she does and loves to travel to different areas. She loves to write for websites and is a family girl at heart.
