Overview
The term sexually transmitted disease (STD) is applied to any group of diseases spread by sexual contact (sexual intercourse, oral-genital contact or anal sex). According to the American Social Health Association, about 19 million cases of sexually transmitted diseases are reported in the United States every year. About half of these were contracted by males and females between 15 and 24 years of age. That means one in four teens will contract an STD.
The impact of STDs is particularly severe for women. Since many STDs often cause few or no symptoms in women, they may go untreated. Women are at serious risk for complications from STDs. Some of these complications include ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, cervical cancer and infertility. In fact, the American Journal of Public Health reports that 15 percent of women who are infertile cannot conceive solely because of an untreated STD.
Symptoms
It is important to remember that many STDs do not have noticeable symptoms so you must get tested for STDs regularly. The most common diseases and their symptoms (when and if they appear) are:
Genital Herpes
• Itching, tingling or burning sensation in the genitals
• Fluid-filled blisters on genitals
Chlamydia
• Usually has no symptoms
• Pain during intercourse (females)
• Clear, watery discharge (males)
Genital Warts (HPV, or Human Papillomavirus)
• Cauliflower-like growths in clusters on genitals or anus
HIV/AIDS
• Night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Headaches
Gonorrhea
• Cloudy vaginal discharge and vaginal itching (females)
• Yellowish discharge (males)
• Painful urination
Candidiasis (Yeast Infection)
• Cloudy vaginal discharge and vaginal itching (females)
• Yellowish discharge (males)
• Painful urination
Hepatitis B
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Nausea
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Affects females only
• Lower abdominal pain
• Fever
• Bleeding between menstrual periods
Crabs (pubic lice)/Scabies
• Intense itching
• Tiny but visible crab-like insects in hair on genitals
Syphilis
• Sores on genitals, mouth and/or anus
• Rash
• Fever
• Sore throat
Trichomoniasis
Vaginal itching and greenish foul-smelling discharge (females)
Clear discharge (males)
Treatment
To avoid STDs, stay abstinent or use a condom every time you have sexual contact. Most contraceptives prevent pregnancy but not STDs.
In order to treat STDs that are treatable with antibiotics, they must be accurately diagnosed. This means that if you become sexually active or are considering becoming sexually active, you need to have regular gynecological (for females) or male genital examinations. Testing can be done without parental consent in the United States.
STDs that are not treatable include HIV/AIDS, genital warts (although there is now a vaccine available to prevent genital warts), genital herpes and advanced PID. For females, it is important to remember that Pap smears do NOT test for these (or any other) STDs.
Ask Your Physician
If you think you have an STD, or if you had sexual contact with someone who might have an STD, you should see a health care provider right away. Ask your partner to be tested also.
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