STD’s or STI (sexually transmitted infections) can be transmitted from one person to another by the means of sexual intercourse. It can be transferred by either by virginal intercourse, oral sex or even by anal sex. A person might have STD and carry it without showing any symptom. STD’s can also be transferred form a mother to her child by child birth and breast feeding. It can also spread through the used of an infected IV drug needle. There are presently more than 25 types of STD present. Some STD’s are very harmful especially to women if not treated in time, some can cause pelvic inflammatory disease which can even cause infertility. The best prevention for STD’s are to avoid sex with strangers, and the use of condom can also help to a certain extend. Another way to remain safe is to get your self and your partner checked for any infections or STD’s.
Bacterial Vaginosis is a virginal infection. It is one of the most common infections in women and is caused due to the abnormal growth of certain bacteria disturbing the natural balance of the bacteria’s that are present in the vagina and help preventing the growth of other micro organisms from growing. Sex might not be the only cause of BV, a person who has not had sex could also be infected but if some activities can disrupt the natural balance of the bacteria’s. The vagina usually contains some harmful bacteria’s but mostly good ones, when the quantity of the harmful bacteria increases BV is caused. Some signs of BV consist of vaginal discharge of a very strong odor, stomach cramps, swelling and itching around the vagina, burning sensation while passing urine or a virginal discharge with a fish like odor after intercourse. Sometimes women don’t experience any symptoms at all. BV can cause a lot of harm to a pregnant women causing harm to the womb or a premature birth. A woman with BV is more at risk of getting other STD’s. So don’t ignore the symptoms if you think it could be BV, there is no harm in getting it tested. Medical attention is the only way to get rid of this problem completely.
Chlamydia is a STD caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. It is a common infection caused by intercourse. It is known to affect the male and female genitals and even cause eye infections. Chlamydia bacteria are normally present in the human cell, and can be transmitted by virginal, anal or oral sex. It can also be transferred to a child by its infected mother while virginal child birth. The treatment for Chlamydia is the use of antibiotics but in most cases there are no symptoms. Thus is vital to take care while having sex and to have regular checkups, have an annual check up. It can happen to anybody who is sexually active, the more the number of partners the more the chances of getting infected. Chlamydia is more common and easily affects young or teenage girls since their organs are not fully matured and are at high risk of catching the infection.
Some symptoms that women experience are burning sensation while urinating, lower abdominal pain, lower back aches, fever, nausea, bleeding between menstrual periods, pain while having intercourse. Men will also experience a burning sensation while passing urine, burning and itching around the penis or a discharge from the penis. An infection can also spread to rectum in case of people who engage in anal intercourse that can cause rectal pain, discharge or bleeding. And can also be found in the throats of men and women who have oral sex with an infected partner. The measures that you can take to avoid Chlamydia are, practicing safe sex, practicing monogamy and proper use of latex condom. Apart form these preventions you have to take precautions, women either young or old who have indulge in multiple sex partners need to have an annual checkup. Pregnant women should also go for an annual check to rule out the possibility of any STD.
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection caused in a warm and moist area. The bacteria’s can grow and multiply in such conditions hence affect the reproductive track, the cervix, uterus and the fallopian tube which consist of egg canals in women. And the urine canal of men and women. These bacteria’s can also grow in areas like mouth, throat, eyes and anus. It is spread through the contact of an infected penis, vagina, mouth or anus. The infection can be transmitted with out ejaculation. A pregnant woman can affect the baby.
Gonorrhea can be treated but a person can get infected again on coming in contact with an infected person. The symptoms are sometimes very mild or not present in most cases. In men the symptoms appear after a few days of getting infected or sometimes can take up to a month also to appear. Symptoms include a discharge of a white, yellow or green color, burning sensation while urinating, swollen or painful testicles. In women the symptoms are not very specific. It can easily be confused with a virginal or a bladder infection. Women can also experience a burning feeling while urinating, projectile urination, virginal bleeding between periods, bleeding after intercourse, a lot of virginal discharge. It can lead to some serious complications if not treated. So remember to have a regular check up if you are sexually active even if you have no symptoms. A rectal infection does not have a symptom always but some symptoms in both men and women include discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowl movement. When the infection is in the throat it can cause soar throat.
Herpes is a genital disease caused by herpes simplex virus. Most of the times there are no or minimum signs or symptoms of herpes. If there is a sign it is very obvious blisters on the genitals and the surrounding area. When these blisters break they leave tender ulcers that take a long time to heal, up to a month in some cases the first time. A second out break can occur later but they might not be as severe as the first time. More women get affected by herpes; the ratio is 1:4 as compared to men which is 1:8. This is because there are more chances of women getting infected from men than men getting infected by women. A person can have the herpes virus but might not have the sores or any other symptoms of the infection but can transmit the virus to his sexual partner. Herpes can infect the mouth and lips in case someone has an oral sex with an infected person. And the genitals get infected in case of sexual intercourse.
