The thought of STDs is frightening to any woman. There
are so many, and each has its own complex characteristics. The best
and safest protection against STDs is abstinence. The second safest
form of protection is the latex condom. Condoms help protect people
from gonorrhea, chlamydia, AIDS, genital herpes, genital warts, hepatitis
B and syphilis.
Women who think they may have contracted a STD are
not alone. Over 12 million Americans have some form of a STD. A physician
should be consulted when there is concern and question about having
an STD. If you learn you have an STD, you can take measures to rid
yourself of the disease and help protect others who may contract
the STD unknowingly.
HIV/AIDS
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is contracted
from bodily fluids, including blood, from someone who has HIV. Acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, encompasses the final stages
of HIV when the immune system has significantly degenerated. There
is currently no known cure for this disease, so practicing abstinence
or using a condom is more important than ever.
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gonorrhea
Gonorrhea, or the clap, is one of the most common
STDs. The infection is a type of bacteria most commonly found in young
adults between the ages of 15 and 29 and can be contracted from any
form of sex. Symptoms include sore throat and vaginal irritation, which
occur two to five days following intercourse. Other symptoms can include
vaginal discharge, urinary discomfort and increased urinary frequency,
abdominal discomfort, fever, chronic abdominal pain and painful intercourse.
The danger of gonorrhea is that the organisms that cause gonorrhea can
spread to the cervix, uterus, and Fallopian tubes which can lead to
sterility (inability to bear children). Half of women who contract gonorrhea
have no symptoms, so it is important to ask your gynecologist to test
you for gonorrhea once a year or with each new sexual partner. Antibiotics
can kill the gonorrhea bacteria, but they may not be able to reverse
any of the long-term consequences of the disease, such as infertility,
if not detected early.
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HPV
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are comprised of
more than 80 viruses. They have been known to cause cervical cancer,
warts (both genital and external) or papillomus, or non-carcinogenic
tumors. A Pap smear can detect irregularity in cells and find HPVs.
Although the disease cannot be completely eliminated treatments to
decrease viruses include electro-surgery, traditional surgery and
chemicals.
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chlamydia
Chlamydia, the most common STD, is a bacteria that
if treated immediately, is easy and relatively inexpensive to cure.
Often, people who are affected with gonorrhea are also infected with
chlamydia. However, if treatment is postponed for a substantial quantity
of time, the STD can cause infertility, miscarriage and chronic pelvic
pain. About 75% of women affected by the disease have no symptoms, so
those who are sexually active need to get a Chlamydia test annually
or when changing sexual partners. Women who do get symptoms will notice
them in one to three weeks. Symptoms include vaginal bleeding and discharge,
abdominal pains and a burning sensation during urination.
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