Sexually transmitted diseases are a widespread health concern that affects more than 20 million people every year in the United States alone. More than half of the world’s population will be diagnosed with an STD disease sometime in their life. Despite the fact that STDs are a common problem, people often poorly understand how to protect themselves and reduce their chances of contracting an infection. Educating about STDs can help you decrease the risk of serious health problems and ensure overall well being.
Below are 6 things that you need to know about sexually transmitted diseases.
1. The United States is the leading nation in STDs
Among other industrialized countries, the United States has one of the highest rates of STD. While America spends the highest amounts of money on health care and prevention, more than 20 million people get diagnosed with pelvic infections every year. About 50 percent out of 20 million people diagnosed with STDs are between 15-25 years old. Sexually transmitted diseases cost the United States healthcare system more than $16 billion each year.
2. Condoms cannot provide a full protection
You need to keep in mind that condoms cannot ensure full protection from sexually transmitted diseases. While they are better than nothing, you still need to be checked for STDs regularly. For example, viruses like genital herpes live in areas that condoms can’t cover. In this case, any sexual contact puts you at risk of infection. If you have a new partner, feel free to ask them to get tested for STDs before having sexual contact.
3. Some STDs can affect your fertility
Certain STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea don’t cause serious symptoms in women and often go undiagnosed. As an infection progresses, it may affect the female reproductive system and lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. Pelvic inflammatory disease is a serious condition that can lead to fertility problems. Women who were diagnosed with the pelvic inflammatory disease are more prone to issues like chronic pelvic pain and ectopic pregnancies. Over 35 percent of women’s infertility cases happen because of pelvic inflammatory disease.
4. There are more than 25 different STDs
Most people don’t realize how many diseases can be transmitted sexually. When you have unprotected sex, you expose yourself to the risk of 25 different sexually transmitted diseases. While some of these conditions don’t cause serious health problems and can be treated with antibiotics, others may have serious side effects. It is important to visit your gynecologist or urologist regularly and use a condom to preserve your health and the health of others.
5. STDs can increase your risk of cancer
Human papillomavirus is the most common STD that may have serious health consequences. This infection is the most common cause of cervical cancer. It is hard to diagnose this condition because it has mild symptoms that don’t force people to seek medical help. While HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer, it causes about 8,000 cancers in American men yearly (throat, penile, and rectal cancers). Managing human papillomavirus with medications can help you decrease your risk of cancer and other serious health problems.
6. You might not be aware of STDs
More than 90 percent of people with genital herpes don’t know about their disease. Genital herpes is a widespread condition that one in six people between the ages of 14-50 have. This condition is incurable, but you can manage it with the right treatment. This condition is hard to diagnose because it causes mild symptoms, so people don’t seek medical help. If you are frequently having unprotected sex or change partners, it is important to visit a gynecologist every year to get screened for STDs.
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