Mysexlifeonline STDs & Reproductive Health Guide

Our sex lives can bring us pleasure, but can also result in health conditions that are a bit less desirable. Anyone with an active sex life can be vulnerable to catching a sexually transmitted infection (STI). We all take risks in our daily life, so it's important to be empowered with knowledge to make informed decisions in deciding how much risk we are comfortable with.

While the activities that put you most at risk for HIV are unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse, even non-penetrative acts such as body rubbing can spread other diseases like scabies, or genital warts. Getting informed helps take away the fear. All of the diseases below have treatments available, some have cures, and the earlier you are diagnosed the more successful you're likely to be in stopping or slowing down the diseases' negative impact.

What are STI's? Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are those which are passed from one person to the next through some sort of sexual activity. STI's can be caused by a virus, a bacteria, or a small organism present in blood, cum (semen), vaginal fluids and saliva. STIs can be passed on through contact with the skin, throat, penis, anus or vagina. If infections are not diagnosed and treated early they can cause serious and permanent damage to your health, and in rare circumstances may be life threatening. You may have heard STI's referred to as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or Venereal Diseases (VD) in the past.

What are HIV and AIDS? HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. AIDS is the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, and describes a collection of illnesses a person can get as the HIV virus breaks down their immune system, making it harder to fight off disease. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

What can I get from different sex acts if I don't use protection? Over 30 different organisms can be spread through sexual contact. Here are the specific ways you can get some of the most common:

From body rubbing, skin-to-skin contact: crabs, scabies, chancroid, genital warts (HPV), herpes, molluscum contagiousum
From kissing: oral herpes (cold sores)
From oral sex: herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, Hep A
From oral-anal contact (rimming): Amebiasis, Giardia, Hep A, Shigella
From vaginal or anal intercourse: HIV, genital warts (HPV), chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, Hep B

What are the most common signs and symptoms of STI's? Abnormal discharge from the tip of the penis or the vagina, pain during urination, sores or bumps on or around the genitals or anus, rashes or itching around the genital area, swollen glands, fever, pelvic pain or pain during sex, bleeding after intercourse, jaundice, and sore throats. If you have these symptoms, you should seek medical care. If your sexual partners have these symptoms, you should both get checked out. It's important to know that many people with STI's don't get any symptoms!

Who is at risk? If you are sexually active, you are at risk of getting an STI. The more partners you have the higher the risk of coming into contact with someone who is infected with an STI. Despite the common belief that you can tell if someone has an STI by looking at them, this is entirely a myth, and people can look "hot" or "clean" and still have an STI.

How do I avoid getting/spreading them? If you are sexually active, there is no 100% way of avoiding all STIs, but there are many things you can do to lessen your chances of contracting one. Using condoms consistently and correctly can help us avoid most serious diseases (see our safer sex pages), but some STIs (like crabs, scabies, warts or molluscum) could still be spread since they are not covered by condoms. Other safer sex barrier devices such as dental dams can be used during oral sex (for rimming or going down on a woman). Currently the only STIs that can be prevented through a vaccine are Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. Getting regular health check ups for ourselves and our sexual partners are a key part of maintaining our sexual health.

What if I become infected with an STI? Don't panic! Most STIs can be easily and effectively treated, if not cured. A general rule is that the sooner you get treatment, the less chance you have of serious complications. You can get tested at your local clinic or by your doctor, and in many cities, free testing is available at government clinics. You can also call the national Planned Parenthood hotline at 1.800.230.PLAN, and they can refer you to someone in your area. In terms of possible treatments, STI's caused by bacteria and small organisms tend to be curable, while those caused by viruses have no cure (though treatments can often keep symptoms at bay).

While all these infections have treatments, they will not work unless the doctor's prescriptions are followed. Many people make the mistake of stopping their medications the minute the symptoms go away. This can lead to you developing and spreading a drug resistant infection. In addition to following your own prescription, remember that your partners need to be notified and tested too to protect their own health and to prevent them from re-infecting you. Disclosing to sex partners that we have or had an STI is difficult and has pros and cons, but as responsible partners we don't want to put another person at risk. Preventing an STI before it occurs is always preferable.

STD's that cause abnormal discharge from the vagina/penis and pain during urination: