Since Spring has arrived and romance is in the air, I thought I'd take the time to talk about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Not your favorite topic, I know, but definitely worth knowing about.
STI stands for "sexually transmitted infection." The reason this term is used instead of STD (sexually transmitted disease) is because the word "infection" is more accurate since many are actually curable (except for Genital Herpes and Genital Warts). Also, the word "infection" carries less of a negative social stigma than the word "disease."
STIs like chlamydia are 100% preventable, so you can either abstain from sex altogether (not realistic), or have you and your partner get tested before you have sex. Chlamydia can be passed through regular sex, and anal and oral sex, so being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know who is uninfected is also a great way to keep yourself safe. When latex or polyurethane condoms are used consistently and correctly, that can also reduce the risk of transmitting chlamydia.
Make sure you see your gynecologist annually to get tested because if chlamydia goes untreated, irreversible damage can occur to a woman's reproductive organs, causing infertility.
Want to know about chlamydia? Then read more
| STI | Symptoms | How do you test for it? | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia (The #1 STI in the U.S.) |
|
Samples of the infected fluid must be taken.
Urine tests are now available too (which is good news for guys) but because they're more expensive, they're not yet available at all health clinics. |
Since Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, antibiotics taken orally can cure most infections, but another round of antibiotics might need to be taken to get rid of it completely. |
Rupert Sanderson
GHD
Sebastian
Also to note that **70% of women are asymptomatic** (only 40% of men are)
So we should all be getting tested anyways even if you do not have symptoms (*because usually you do not until its too late and has ascended into your reproductive tract)
1I didn't know about the change in terminology (STD --> STI). Interesting. Thanks!
2I's really scary that a lot of STIs have no symptoms, so just because a person "looks" healthy, doesn't mean much. People should definitely be getting tested.
3FitSugar, I wish you'd picked a different photo to accompany this great article - that woman is way too thin!
4So true! Untreated chlamydia can lead to or be associated with many other health complications. It's definitely important to schedule regular screenings with your gyno. Better to be safe than sorry!
5Thanks for posting this article. I think awareness is an important component of prevention.
6
oh I know....use a condom!
7Post New Comment
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