Sexually transmitted diseases, STIs, dangerous if you don’t treat it well
Sexual health is that state of physical and mental well-being, with social repercussions, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), where prevention continues to play a fundamental role.
Sexually transmitted infections often cause serious health problems, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancies, and infertility.
The most commonly diagnosed Sexually transmitted infections are: chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), genital herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), and syphilis. In addition, there are many other STIs such as M. Genitalium, Ureaplasma, Gardnerella, Trichomonas Vaginalis, Hepatitis B and C, and HIV that are also diagnosed.
STIs, asymptomatic but dangerous
Often times, sexually transmitted infections do not show any symptoms, but if left untreated, they can lead to more serious health problems.
An STI can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. However, many people with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have no symptoms, for example women with chlamydia and even gonorrhea, so it is worth getting tested even if you feel fine. If you think you have an STI, the sooner you get tested, the sooner treatment can be given if needed.
Certainly, many STIs can be cured, but others cannot. Antibiotics usually fix a large number of them. Diseases like HIV, although there is no cure, can be treated to prevent them from getting worse.
It is important to get checked if you have had unprotected sex or think you might be at risk.
Frequent symptoms
- Itching, burning, or tingling around the genitals
- Pain when urinating.
- Blisters, sores, spots, or bumps around the genitals or anus.
- Women: yellow or green vaginal discharge, smelling discharge, bleeding between periods or after sex, pain during sex, lower abdominal pain.
- Men: discharge from the penis, irritation of the urethra.
Prevention
STIs can be prevented. Just having sex can put you at risk for a sexually transmitted infection. Therefore, it is important to protect yourself to avoid contagion.
Abstinence is the only thing that completely protects you from contracting sexually transmitted infections. But there are other methods that help protect you, such as condoms and other barrier methods, it is important if you suspect or have symptoms of being tested for sexually transmitted infections.
Vaccines: Currently there are vaccines to prevent sexually transmitted diseases such as hepatitis B and HPV. Human papillomavirus vaccines help protect against cancers caused by HPV, such as cervical cancer, and others such as mouth and throat.
