Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), sometimes known as venereal diseases, are defined as a group of diseases caused by different pathogens acquired through sexual contact.

Sexually transmitted diseases affect women and men of all social classes and races. They are more common among adolescents and young adults.

The incidence of sexually transmitted disease is on the increase, partly because in recent decades, young people are sexually active at an earlier age and marry later. As a result, today people that are sexually active have a greater probability of having many sexual partners during their lives and, for this reason, are at greater risk of developing sexually transmitted diseases.

Most of the time, STDs do not cause symptoms, particularly in women. Nevertheless, even when they do not cause symptoms, an infected person can transmit the disease to his or her sexual partner.

The health problems caused by STDs are generally more severe, occurring more frequently in women than in men, in part because the infection is asymptomatic in women and they don't see a doctor until complications have developed.

When diagnosed and treated early, many STDs can be cured effectively.

There are various risk factors for contracting an STD:

Beginning sexual activity during adolescence.

  • Having multiple sex partners.
  • Having a sex partner who has many sex partners.
  • Not using a condom or prophylactic during intercourse.

Some of the more important STDs in women are:

HIV

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) was first reported in the United States in 1981. It is caused by a virus known as HIV or the human immunodeficiency virus, a virus that destroys the capacity of the body to defend itself against infection. It is estimated that around 900,000 people in the United States are currently infected with HIV.

People with AIDS are susceptible to many dangerous diseases known as opportunistic infections and certain forms of cancer. The transmission of the virus principally occurs during sexual activity and the sharing of needles used to inject intravenous drugs.

Chlamydia Infection

Currently, this infection is the most common of all bacterial STDs. A chlamydia infection can cause abnormal genital discharge and pain when urinating.

In women, untreated chlamydia infections can lead to complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, one of the most common causes of ectopic pregnancy and female infertility.

In many people, a chlamydia infection does not cause symptoms. Once diagnosed, one can cure a chlamydia infection with antibiotics.

Genital Herpes

Herpes infection is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The main symptoms of a herpes infection are painful blisters in the genital area. These may cause itching or a stinging sensation on the legs, buttocks or in the genital region.

The blisters caused by herpes generally disappear in 2 or 3 weeks, but the virus remains in the body for life and the sores can reappear over time. Some recurrent or severe cases of genital herpes can be treated with antiviral drugs that require a doctor's prescription.

These drugs or medications can help to control the symptoms, but cannot eliminate the herpes virus from your body. Women who acquire genital herpes during pregnancy can transmit the virus to their babies. An untreated genital herpes infection in babies can result in mental retardation and death.

Genital Warts

Genital warts (also called venereal warts) are caused by the Human Papillomavirus or HPV, a virus that is very closely related to the virus that causes warts on the skin. Genital warts generally appear as hard protuberances in the genital area, penis, or around the anus, and cause no pain. If left untreated, they can grow and develop a cauliflower-like appearance.

Additionally, in considering genital warts, certain types of HPV can cause cervical cancer and other cancers of the cervix.

Gonorrhea

The most important symptoms of gonorrhea are vaginal discharge or discharge from the penis, and pain or difficulty during urination. The most serious and most common complications of gonorrhea generally occur in women. These complications include pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.

Once diagnosed, gonorrhea can be treated effectively with antibiotics.

Syphilis

The initial symptoms of syphilis can go undetected because they are very mild and disappear. The first symptom to appear is a lesion called a "chancre." This lesion does not cause pain and appears as a sore on the penis, in the vagina or around the vagina. It can also occur near the mouth, the anus, or on the hands. If syphilis is untreated, it can reach more advanced stages, including eruptions or rashes, and eventually complications involving the heart and central nervous system. Penicillin continues to be the most effective treatment for syphilis.

Other sexually transmitted diseases are trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, and infections caused by the cytomegalovirus.

To prevent an STD, you must:

  • Have a monogamous sexual relation with an uninfected partner.
  • Use a condom or prophylactic in all of your sexual relations.
  • Postpone the age at which you begin to have sexual relations.
  • Use clean, disinfected needles to inject intravenous drugs
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