Perhaps you think: “it just won’t happen to me” – or you’re too embarrassed or intimidated to insist on using a condom. Maybe you’ve had too much to drink, or you think you can just throw caution to the wind because, you know, you only live once…
When it comes to unprotected sex, just one careless decision can have a lifelong impact on your health! Make smarter and safer sexual decisions for your own health and peace of mind – every time.
Which infections can be sexually transmitted?
- HIV
- chlamydia
- gonorrhoea
- hepatitis B, C
- syphilis
- HPV (human papilloma virus) causing genital warts
- genital herpes
- chancroid
- trichomoniasis
- pubic lice
How can I know if I’ve picked up a STD?
It’s important to remember that you could have an STD with NO symptoms. Yup. So even if you can’t see anything suspicious on your partner, they can still be infective. Symptoms you can look out for:
- vaginal or penile discharge, or irritation
- a genital sore/s
- pain or burning when urinating
- lower abdominal pain or pelvic pain
- painful or swollen testicle/s
- swollen lymph glands in the groin
- vaginal odour
- a rash, blisters or ulcers in the genital or anal area
- warts (small flesh-coloured/grey swellings, or cauliflower-like protrusions)
- itching in the anal and/or genital area
- bleeding between periods or in association to sex
- pain during sex
- fever
- sore throat, jaundice, headache, diarrhoea, night sweats, weight loss
- painful joints and discharge from eye/s
How can I protect myself?
Okay, abstaining from oral, vaginal or anal sex is one sure way to protect yourself, but here are some tips for the sexually active:
- talk to your partner and both get tested for STDs and HIV before you start having sex
- get vaccinated (vaccinations are available against HPV and hepatitis B)
- if you are going to have sex, keep it monogamous
- think carefully about having sex – reducing your total number of sexual partners in your lifetime greatly reduces your risk
- always use condoms and dental dams, and use them correctly
- if you or your partner become infected with a STD, go for early testing and treatment – and make sure your partner is treated as well, to prevent re-infection
The strongest weapon to protect you before you even get into the danger zone, is your own mind. Controlling how much you drink, and avoiding drugs mean you stay in control of your head. Remember – no amount of ecstasy is worth the agony of a lifelong illness.
Dr Leanne White for HelloDoctor.com