Jun 07
26
STD’s and You
Sexually transmitted diseases should be a concern for any sexually active adult at any age. Although all age groups need to protect against STD’s, two thirds of the cases occur in the population younger than 25 years old. The HIV/AIDS virus is one of the biggest worries among the STD’s and the most highly publicized.
STD’s are many and varied.
Not only is the HIV/AIDS virus a concern, but there’s also genital herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B and chlamydia. The causative organism can be a virus, bacteria or protozoa. STD’s can occur in men or women and they are transmitted through sexual contact either genitally, orally or rectally. Another means of contracting STD’s is sharing needles, or during delivery of a baby or breast feeding.
To protect yourself, use condoms during sexual contact for safer sex. Monogamy and not having sex with multiple partners will reduce your risk. Part of the reason that two thirds of STD’s occur in people under 25 is they are often engaged in high risk behavior sexually. If you think you may have contracted an STD, make certain you seek testing and treatment. If you have an STD and it is bacterial, the earlier the treatment, the better the chance of a cure.
For prevention of STD’s, talking about safe sex with your teenagers is imperative. Talk openly about the necessity of using condoms if you suspect they are sexually active. Encourage abstinence and readiness for engaging in sexual activity until they are more mature. Problems and complications that can occur for women as a result of STD’s can range from infection of the reproductive organs, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease and possible infertility. STD’s in males can cause infection of the urethra, prostate and epididymis.
For your sexual health and reproduction, don’t engage in high risk sexual behaviors with multiple partners or have unprotected sex. Take good care of your sexual health, whether you’re male or female, for your sake and the sake of your partner and children.
