What's Up With Sex?
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Over 19 million people contract a STD each year. Unfortunately, approximately 25% of those infections occur in people under 25. Sexually transmitted diseases aren't like personality flaws; you can't see them from miles away. Most STDs don't have any symptoms at all, but many of them can impact your health for the rest of your life.
Here's a look at some STDs that are common among young adults:
Chlamydia
- It's the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease
- Men and women can both get it
- You can get chlamydia by having sex (oral, anal or vaginal) with an infected person
- People with chlamydia often don't know they're infected because there are usually no symptoms. When symptoms are present, they're most commonly in the form of pain while going to the bathroom and discharge coming out of the penis or vagina.
- It can be treated with antibiotics
- Abstinence from all types sexual activity is the best way to avoid being infected.
NOTE: If you've already had sex, talk with your parent(s) or legal guardian(s), and then get tested!
Gonorrhea
- It's the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease
- Men and women can both get it
- You can get gonorrhea by having sex (oral, anal or vaginal) with an infected person
- People with gonorrhea often don't know they are infected because there are usually no symptoms. When symptoms are present, they're most commonly in the form of pain while going to the bathroom and discharge coming out of the penis or vagina.
- It can be treated with antibiotics
- Abstinence from all types sexual activity is the best way to avoid being infected.
NOTE: If you've already had sex, talk with your parent(s) or legal guardian(s), and then get tested!
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
- It's a sexually transmitted viral infection that affects the skin around the genital area
- It can NOT be treated with antibiotics
- There is no cure for HPV, although a new vaccine that protects against several strains has recently been released
- HPV causes over 90% of all cases of cervical cancer!
- HPV is contracted by skin-to-skin contact with infected body fluids
- HPV is most often spread by sexual play or sexual intercourse
- Abstinence from all types sexual activity is the best way to avoid being infected.
NOTE: If you've already had sex, talk with your parent(s) or legal guardian(s), and then get tested!
Genital Herpes
- One in 5 Americans over the age of 12 has genital herpes
- Genital herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus
- Most people with genital herpes don't know they're infected.
- Symptoms of genital herpes may include blisters or sores in the genital area, or pain/burning while going to the bathroom.
- Medication is available to suppress outbreaks
- Abstinence from all types sexual activity is the best way to avoid being infected.
NOTE: If you've already had sex, talk with your parent(s) or legal guardian(s), and then get tested!
Trichomonas
- It's a parasite that causes genital infections
- It's passed through contact with infected bodily fluids
- It can be treated with medication
- Symptoms include watery vaginal discharge, vaginal irritation, pain during sex and burning while going to the bathroom
- Abstinence from all types sexual activity is the best way to avoid being infected.
NOTE: If you've already had sex, talk with your parent(s) or legal guardian(s), and then get tested!