Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

What are STD’s?
STD stands for sexually transmitted disease. This name implies exactly what they are, diseases that are contracted via sexual contact. This contact can be vaginal, oral, or anal.

What types of STD’s are there?
A lot! There are too many STD’s to list them in their entirety, but here are the 4 most common sexually transmitted diseases:

1. Chlamydia – This disease is affects the cervix in women and the penile urethra in men. This is such a common disease because men and women who have it, don’t exhibit symptoms for weeks or sometimes months. When symptoms do begin to manifest, they usually consist of pain during sex and discharge from the penis or vagina.

2. Gonorrhea – Similar to Chlamydia, this is a bacterial infection that affects the cervix in women and the penile urethra in men. Symptoms of this disease include a burning sensation when urinating and men can experience a discharge from the penis that is white, yellow, or green in color.

3. Syphilis – This disease is notorious for its reputation of being a “dirty” disease. Syphilis can be transmitted via direct contact with sores that can be found on the external genitals, mouth, vagina, and rectum. If left untreated, this STD can have severe consequences.

4. Herpes – There are two different strains of herpes: HSV1 and HSV2. HSV1 is commonly associated with cold sores found on or near the mouth while HSV2 are the genital sores. Although the sores can be treated, the virus cannot and will always be present in your body. Therefore, it is important for people who have herpes to know that they can transmit this disease even if they don’t have any visible sores.

How do STD’s impact fertility?
Not all sexually transmitted disease will affect fertility; however there are some that will. The two most common STD’s that are known for causing infertility are Chlamydia and gonorrhea.

CHLAMYDIA
If left untreated, this disease can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can cause permanent damage to these structures leaving a woman infertile. It is estimated that up to 40% of women with untreated Chlamydia will develop PID and subsequent infertility. However, because this disease is essentially symptom less, it is important for women to have routine, yearly exams and testing.

GONORRHEA
This STD is very similar to Chlamydia in that it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and cause irreparable damage to the fallopian tubes and uterus. As previously mentioned, PID can leave a woman infertile.

How are STD’s treated?
Depending on the type of disease, there are different treatments. Many STD’s can be treated with oral or topical antibiotics such as penicillin. In more serious cases surgery may be required.

How can I prevent STD’s?
The only way to completely protect yourself from STD’s is to practice abstinence. However, if you are sexually active you should always practice safe sex; limit the number of sexual partner you have, always use a condom, and get yourself tested regularly.

The Numbers Don’t Lie:

• Between 2004 and 2008 the number of women who were infected with Chlamydia rose from 10.4% to 14.2%
• In 2008 there were 3,700 cases of Chlamydia and 485 cases of gonorrhea.
• 82% of women diagnosed with Chlamydia were less than 30 years of age.
• 59% of all Chlamydial infections were women.
• 54% of all gonorrhea infections were women and 46% were men.
• The average age of women who are infected with gonorrhea is 27 years old.
• Between April and June of 2009, there were 138 reported cases of gonorrhea.