Why You Need to Wear a Condom - The 6 most common STIs and how to prevent them
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) impact nearly 1 in 5 people daily in the U.S. Due to the exaggerated risks and mythology around STIs, there is a lot of misinformation out there.
We want to cover 6 of the most common STIs and how you can detect them.
Practicing safe sex and getting tested for STIs regularly is your best option for protection. Get regular sexual health screenings, including blood tests, use barrier methods during sexual activity, and lubricants to help prevent STIs in general.
Please note that cisgendered terms such as "women" and "men" and generally associated genitals are used throughout the article. However, this is only for the sake of brevity. Sex with Elaine respects that many people do not identify with those terms or gender identities. It is not intended to be disrespectful.
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Chlamydia
Also known as "the clam" or "gooey stuff."
A specific type of bacteria causes chlamydia. It is one of the most commonly reported STIs in the developed world.
The biggest concern about chlamydia is that most people who have it are asymptomatic, meaning they don't experience any noticeable symptoms.
You can contract chlamydia in various ways, including your anus, your genitals, your throat, and your eyes.
Facts: Chlamydia cannot be passed through kissing, sharing glasses, or hugging.
Prevention: Use a condom with every partner every time, get tested regularly, use protection during oral sex until your partner has been screened for STIs
How it can be transmitted: Penetrative sex without a condom (even without ejaculation), unprotected oral sex, touching the genitals, anal sex, from mother to child during birth.
Symptoms for men: pain or discomfort during sex or urination, green or yellow discharge from the penis, pain in the testicles, bleeding from the anus (if it is an anal infection).
Symptoms for women: pain or discomfort during sex or urination, yellow or green discharge from the vagina, pain in the lower abdomen, inflammation of the cervix, bleeding between periods, and anal infection can cause rectal pain, bleeding, or discharge.
Oral symptoms: cough, dry throat, fever, and sore throat
Eye symptoms: redness, swelling, irritation, itching, mucus, discharge, and sensitivity to light.
Treatment: Antibiotics such as Azithromycin in a single, large dose, or Doxycycline is taken twice daily for a week. Other antibiotics may be prescribed. Do not have sex until your antibiotic treatment has been completed.
If left untreated: Infections of the prostate, urethra, or testicles, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and blindness (if eye infection)
HPV (human papillomavirus)
Also known as "warts."
HPV is a virus. A person with HPV can pass it through both skin-to-skin contact as well as sexual contact. There are more than 100 strains of HPV. Some are more harmful than others.
Certain strains can lead to cancer, including oral cancer, cervical cancer, penile cancer, rectal cancer, and vulvar cancer.
Facts: It is possible to have multiple strains of HPV. 90% of HPV infections go away on their own within two years. Only some types of HPV can lead to cancers of the genitals, head, neck, and throat. Not all forms of HPV cause genital warts. Oral HPV is more common in men than in women.
Prevention: Routine sexual health screenings, barrier methods can help reduce the risk of spread, and getting the Gardasil 9 vaccine (only protects against certain strains.)
How it can be transmitted: HPV can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact (no intercourse required), direct anal, vaginal, or penile contact, and unprotected intercourse.
Symptoms for men: HPV is usually asymptomatic. Some strains can cause genital warts, bumps, lesions on the penis, scrotum, or anus.
Symptoms for women: HPV is usually asymptomatic. Some strains can cause genital warts inside the vagina, around the anus, the cervix, or the vulva. Unexplained bumps or growths around the genitals are also common.
Treatment: The majority of HPV cases will go away on their own within two years (they are still transmissible during those years.) There are also prescriptions available to help with genital warts.
If left untreated: Possibility of developing vulvar, penile, anal, oral, or vaginal cancers.
Gonorrhea
Also known as "the clap," "the drip," "morning drip," or "the dose."
Gonorrhea is an STI caused by a specific bacterium that targets warm and moist areas of the body.
It can be diagnosed in many different ways and treated thoroughly.
Facts: It can take several weeks to develop symptoms of gonorrhea. It can be transmitted through kissing. You may be at a higher risk of contracting gonorrhea if you've had other STIs. Both men and women are usually asymptomatic.
Prevention: Using a barrier method like a condom or dental dams also regular sexual health screenings.
Areas that can be affected: Urethra, eyes, throat, vagina, anus, female reproductive system (cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes.)
How it can be transmitted: It is transmitted through unprotected sexual contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of an infected partner and giving birth when the mother has gonorrhea.
Symptoms in men: Burning or pain during urination, increased urination frequency, pus-like discharge from the penis )usually white, yellow, green, or beige,) swelling/redness at the opening of the penis, persistent sore throat, and swelling or pain in the testicles.
Symptoms in women: Watery, greenish, or creamy discharge from the vagina, pain or burning during sex/urination, sharp pains in the lower abdomen, fever, heavier periods, and spotting.
Treatment: Antibiotics, there is no at-home or over-the-counter medicine available.
If left untreated: Bacteria can be passed into the reproductive tract, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, scarring or blocking of fallopian tubes, can be passed to a newborn during delivery, abscesses in the interior of the penis, reduced fertility, and potential sterility.
Herpes
Also known as "fever blisters," "cold sores," and "the gift that keeps on giving."
Both oral and genital herpes are prevalent sexually transmitted infections. Most people who have the virus are asymptomatic, which is why it is spread easily. It is estimated that one out of every six people in the United States (aged 14-49) have genital herpes.
Two different viruses cause it called the simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).
Facts: Oral Herpes is usually caused by type 1. You can contract herpes from someone even when an outbreak isn't apparent. You will not get herpes from bedding, swimming pools, toilet seats, silverware, or towels.
Prevention: Regular sexual health screenings as blisters may not be readily apparent. Herpes can still be transmitted from skin-to-skin contact even when a barrier method is being used. However, barrier methods do significantly reduce the risk of transmission. If your partner has herpes, you can take anti-herpes medication daily and/or avoid having intercourse during an outbreak. Abstaining from sexual contact during an outbreak can be helpful.
Areas that can be affected: The mouth, surrounding areas, and genitals are most commonly affected.
How it can be transmitted: Vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone with herpes, saliva, genital secretions, touching the skin around the mouth of an infected person, skin to genital contact with someone with herpes. A person does not need to be symptomatic to pass the infection.
Symptoms in men & women: Most people are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, sores/blisters around the genitals, rectum, or mouth, blisters break and leave painful sores that can take more than a week to heal, during outbreaks a person may have flu-like symptoms such as a fever, swollen glands, and body aches.
Treatment: There is no cure for herpes. However, numerous medications can help prevent or shorten outbreaks.
If left untreated: In rare cases, it can cause issues in a developing baby, such as neurologic disability or death. An infected person can pass it from mother to child, but this is rare. There is an increased risk of spreading the infection due to increased fluids from open sores. Those who are immunocompromised can have more severe symptoms and frequent outbreaks. In rare cases, it can lead to brain infections or eye infections.
Trichomoniasis aka (trich)
Also known as "trich."
Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis which is transmitted through sexual contact. It is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections globally and can be easily shared. However, medication can quickly cure it.
Facts: The incubation period between exposure to the parasite and the infection is unknown. Both men and women can get trichomoniasis. Most people have no symptoms. However, women are more likely to have them. You can easily pass it on without being aware of it.
Prevention: The best options are regular sexual health screening and sexual barrier methods like condoms or dental dams. Vulva owners should avoid douching.
Areas that can be affected: The genitals, cervix, or urethra in women. The prostate, penis, and mouth in men. It can spread to other parts of the body on rare occasions, such as the anus, mouth, or hands.
How it can be transmitted: Through unprotected sexual contact (oral, anal, vaginal.)
Symptoms in men: Men rarely develop symptoms but can carry the infection. They can have discharge from the penis, burning during urination and/or ejaculation, and increased frequency of urination.
Symptoms in women: A yellow-green and frothy discharge, unpleasant vaginal odor, vaginal and vulval itching, genital burning or redness, pain during urination or sex, the need to urinate more often, and bleeding after sex.
Treatment: A short antibiotic regimen, typically a single dose.
If left untreated: For pregnant women, there is a higher risk of giving premature birth, low birth weight, and transmitting the infection to the infant. It is easier to contract AIDS. You can re-infect your partner or pass it if you haven't been treated.
Syphilis
Also known as "the great imitator," "the pox," and "bad blood."
Another very common STI can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. It is caused by bacteria that medication can quickly cure. Syphilis is divided into four stages of infection (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary). Each has different symptoms associated with it.
Facts: Syphilis is still a very present and common STI. It is not a thing of the past. Syphilis can be spread through oral sex. Syphilis isn't always easily noticeable. Once you've had syphilis, you can get it again.
Prevention: Use barrier methods and lubricant during intercourse and dental dams for oral sex. Regular sexual health screenings can detect syphilis before the onset of symptoms.
Areas that can be affected: Initially, it may only infect the mouth, rectum, and genitals. It can spread over time and impact the entire body, even remaining inactive for decades.
How it is transmitted: Skin-to-skin contact with an infected person can transmit the infection. Also, direct contact with syphilis sores during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. A mother can pass it to a newborn and during birth or gestation. Syphilis is highly infectious during times where rashes or sores are present. It can be spread by blood contamination (needles or sharing injecting equipment.)
Symptoms of primary syphilis: Occurs 3-4 weeks after initial infection; a person may have one or more painless sores. However, these sores may take up to 90 days to appear after the initial infection. They also may have swollen lymph nodes. Sores may go away on their own, but the person is still infectious.
Symptoms of secondary syphilis: 7-10 weeks after initial infection; symptoms can last for six months or more. There may be a red rash on palms, soles of feet, chest, or back, fever, enlarged glands (especially in armpits and groin), hair loss, weight loss, headaches, sore throat, pain in bones, muscles, and joints, fatigue, ulcers in mouth/nasal cavity/genitals, neurological symptoms.
Symptoms of latent (sleeping) syphilis: Generally has no signs and can only be detected in blood tests.
Symptoms of tertiary syphilis: Can appear 5-20 years after initial infection, bacteria can damage any part of the body, including the brain, spinal cord, eyes, bones, and heart.
Treatment: Antibiotics such as penicillin is injected into the muscle. It may require multiple treatments.
If left untreated: Increased risk of heart disease, blindness, deafness, neurological problems, and mental illness, development of congenital syphilis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight, or death shortly after birth. Babies born with this infection may develop vision, hearing, organs, brain, and blood issues.
STIs are not the end of the world if you contract them.
Many people continue to live fulfilling sexual lives regardless of their status. However, prevention of STIs can help reduce the impact they have worldwide. It all starts with getting tested, being responsible, and wearing protection.
Please be aware that Sex With Elaine is not offering any medical advice. This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a diagnosis or treatment tool. If you or someone you know has any symptoms of an STI or other health-related difficulties, speak with a doctor or other medical professional.
“Sexual health is more than freedom from sexual disease or disorders … Sexual health is dependent upon an individual’s well-being and sense of self-esteem. Sexual health requires trust, honestly, and communication.”
— Eli Coleman, Ph.D.
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