The Dreaded Sexually Transmitted Disease
Sex is a normal, natural and healthy human process. It helps two people bond and ensures we can live on through our children. It is a natural result of falling in love; it also relieves stress and is a great physical activity. With the right person, sex can be a whole lot of fun.
Sex in this day and age however, has become increasingly risky and downright scary. Too frequently, we read headlines about a new and deadly virus. Insidious people will knowingly infect you with HIV or another STD. Married people cheat on their spouses, even when pregnant. Many do this without using a condom. There is even a popular website with over a million members that encourages extramarital affairs.
Whatever your moral compass, you have the right and responsibility to protect yourself at all costs. As long as you’re sexually active, you run the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. Even if you’re in a serious relationship or marriage, you can’t guarantee the fidelity of your partner. Trusting the wrong person can kill you or leave you medically scarred. While few want to talk about STDs it is important to remain conscious of the risks. Unfortunately, one night of passion can cause a lifetime of misery.
Both men and women need to be cautious. In a heterosexual scenario, women run a greater risk of catching a STD. This is because females are receptive; the vagina is in fact an orifice that will receive the most body fluids during each encounter. The way to stay safer is to always use a condom, no matter who you’re dealing with. Adhering to these simple, yet effective practices will also lower your risk and help you to stay healthy.
• Women: Always check your vaginal discharges and odor so you are familiar with both. Your vagina should smell
clean, not foul or fishy. If you notice a change in your vaginal discharge or odor, see a doctor or health care
professional immediately.
• Men and women: Examine your penis/vagina with a mirror regularly. Get to know its contours. Check for sores,
unusual growths and anything that looks irregular. If you notice a lump, bump or anything else unusual, stop
having sex and seek medical attention.
• Avoid partners with poor hygeine and funny aromas. Some STDs cause an odor from the genital area. If your
partner smells sour, or like penicillinm, or otherwise unclean, do NOT engage in sexual activity,
• Check your partner’s genitals regularly. You don’t have to make it a clinical study, just get close and look the
penis or vagina over. If your partner has issues with you examining their genitals, beware! There may be
something this person doesn’t want you to see. In that case, don’t take any chances. No matter what your
partner says or does, don’t proceed with sex, even if your partner wants to use a condom.
• Urinate and wash your genitals immediately after sex. Studies show you decrease your risk of catching a STD
if you urinate and wash right after the act.
• If you think you may have contracted a STD, stop having sex and get yourself checked,
• If you have sex and later notice a change in discharge or odor, or if you experience burning, itching or redness in
the genital area, contact your doctor or visit your local health clinic.
Here’s a list of the most common diseases you can catch through sexual contact:
AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Currently incurable and often deadly. Despite the sobering statistics regarding AIDS, many people are still having unprotected sex. Some people are HIV positive and infecting others on purpose. Once you have AIDS there is no turning back. While there are many drugs available to ensure a lengthened life with this disease, why take the risk? Always use a condom with your partner.
Chlamydia: This STD can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), arthritis and male sterility. Symptoms resemble Gonorrhea (see Gonorrhea below). Crabs: Crabs are actually pubic lice. They are very easy to catch and spread. Not as dangerous as other STD’s but very annoying and also embarrassing. Crabs can still be spread between people that use condoms. And no, you can’t drown them by soaking in a hot tub. Keeping pubic hair trimmed makes it easier to spot an invasion. Once you have crabs, you’ll have to see a doctor for relief.
Genital Herpes: A strain(s) of the varicella virus, the same virus that causes Chicken Pox. Herpes is a series of small, painful blisters that erupt into sores which eventually crust over. This STD has been around since ancient times and was referred to long ago as “The Creep”. That name fits because this STD is creepy. It’s incurable, can recur at any time and can increase your risk of catching AIDS. It’s not life threatening, but very contagious during an outbreak. If the virus is active during delivery, it can harm your baby. Condoms may not protect you against this disease.
Genital Warts: Genital warts are caused by the Human papillomavirus. They often look like a cluster of small bumps in the vaginal and/or rectal area. Left untreated, genital warts can cause Cervical Dysplasia (abnormal growths on the cervix) and cancer. They are also very contagious. Like herpes, genital warts can also be spread even when your partner is using a condom.
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For informational purposes only. No portion of this article is intended to replace the evaluation, care or advice of a health care professional. The author makes no claims or recommendations whatsoever as to any illness, treatment or cure. Read more...
Tannis Blackman is a certified dance instructor and health enthusiast. She is the author of several books, including The Mystical Seductress Handbook and writes numerous articles for Alight Transmedia.
© 2022 Alight. © 2022 Tannis Blackman.
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Gonorrhea: Commonly referred to as “The Clap”. Many women have no symptoms, but can readily spread it to a male. Men tend to have burning penises, a funky discharge and painful urination roughly three days after infection. Gonorrhea can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. If you’re sexually active it’s a good practice to get tested routinely for Gonorrhea.
Hepatitis B: A liver disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus. More dangerous and easily contracted than AIDS, Hepatitis B is often spread by sexual contact and is currently on the rise. According to The Center for Disease Control, the best form of prevention is a vaccination. Visit the CDC’s website by clicking HERE. http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/B/index.htm
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): The virus believed to cause AIDS. This virus is commonly spread by sexual contact; it involves the breakdown of your immune system and can eventually lead to AIDS. If you develop AIDS the result can be debilitation and even death. HIV is currently incurable.
Scabies: Nasty parasites which can make life miserable. You end up with an infestation that will plague you with red, itchy sores. One bout of this and you’ll never forget the person that gave it to you. Scabies is the human version of mange and most often spread between young people by sexual contact. Skin to skin contact allows those scabies to crawl onto you. They have eight legs and burrow under the skin, where they multiply. Under a microscope, scabies look downright horrifying.
Syphilis: A potentially deadly disease. This STD progresses through three stages. Its symptoms often go undetected in the first two stages. If Syphilis reaches the third stage without treatment, it can cause death. Your best defense is to include a routine test for syphilis during your annual pelvic exam, or whenever you have a new partner and unprotected sex.
Trichomoniasis: Often called “Trich” this may be mistaken for a vaginal infection by laymen. What you get: a funky discharge that may be accompanied by pelvic pain. More serious than a normal yeast or vaginal infection, if left untreated, Trich can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and infertility. While men don’t get it, there’s speculation it can be transmitted from a male to a female during sex. Condoms may offer some protection against this common STD.
Yeast Infections: Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of microorganisms in the vagina. Yeast infections are very common, even in women who are not sexually active. The overgrowth of yeast can be caused by stress, hormonal changes, pregnancy, a weak immune system, diabetes, increased sexual activity and certain medications. A fungal yeast infection can look like cottage cheese and be very itchy. The vulva might become inflamed and even painful. A bacterial vaginal infection can smell very fishy, have a watery discharge and make you feel pretty nasty. Both are annoying, but fairly easily treated. There is some speculation that vaginal infections can be transmitted from one female to another if they both have unprotected sex with the same male. Although men don’t get yeast infections in the genital area, they can in fact have an overgrowth of yeast in the mouth (Thrush) that some believe, can be transmitted through oral sex. If you think you have a vaginal infection, avoid having sex until you see your doctor and get treated. Treatment for a yeast infection usually lasts several days.
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