The United States has the highest rates of certain STIs of any developed economy. This is believed to be due to the inadequate sexual health education and the absence of dialogue about sexual pleasure.
Contrary to most people’s beliefs, STIs and STDs are not the same! STIs are by definition infections that are passed from one person to another via sexual interaction. STIs can be caused by bacteria, parasites, and viruses. One can contract an STI by unprotected sex. Other factors such as having multiple partners, already having an STI, and using the birth control pill as your only form of contraception may increase your risk for contracting an STI. Once an STI begins to have more damaging consequences, such as causing damage to cells, it is then considered an STD. This means that all STDs start out as STIs. This information emphasizes the importance of frequent testing, as many STIs are treatable with antibiotics if caught early, so it will be unable to progress to a STD.
The most common STIs can be categorized as bacterial, parasitic, and viral.
Bacterial STIs
Most bacterial STIs can be treated with antibiotics.
Chlamydia can be transmissed during intercourse and rarely by oral sex. Symptoms of chlamydia include discharge from penis or vagina, painful and frequent urination, excessive bleeding or spotting between periods or during intercourse, painful intercourse for women, lower back pain, abdominal pain, nausea, fever, inflammation of rectum, and swelling or pain in testicles. 90% of women and 60% of men show NO symptoms of having chlamydia.
Gonorrhea can be contracted in intercourse and oral sex. Symptoms in females include frequent burning urination, an irregular menstrual cycle, pelvic and lower abdominal pain, painful sex, yellow/greenish discharge, swollen or tender vulva, and arthritic pain. Symptoms in males are pus-like discharge from urethral or painful and burning urination, and foul smelling genitals. Long term side effects of gonorrhea is that the bacteria can cause sterility, arthritis, and heart problems. Females can develop PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) and stillbirth or premature labor. Gonorrhea can be diagnosed with a microscopic examination or urethral or vaginal discharges, and cultures taken from cervical, throat, urethra, or rectum. The STI can be treated with antibiotics. The best way to prevent contracting gonorrhea is by using a condom.
Parasitic STIs
Trichomoniasis is the most common parasitic STI. Scabies and pubic lice are also common. Many parasitic STIs can be treated with topical ointments.
Viral STIs
Viral STIs cannot be treated with antibiotics. Some will be healed on their own, while others must be monitored as long term diseases.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and 2 and human papilloma virus (HPV) are the most common and transmissible viral STIs. HSV is associated with cold sores and fever blisters. Transmission can be due to kissing, intercourse, and oral sex. HPV is characterized by genital warts. The blisters are in the genitals, urethra, anus, and rarely throat. These warts are soft to the touch, and they look like miniature cauliflower florets.
HIV
HIV is actually considered an STI. Although HIV is considered as an infection, if it is left untreated, it can progress into a disease called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
STD
If left untreated, HIV can eventually progress into the STD called AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. HIV is the transmissible form of AIDS, and it can only be transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. After an infection of HIV, the body will begin to produce antibodies that can be detected on tests. This stage is called seroconversion. It takes about 3-6 months for the antibodies to be detected on a test.
Tips for not contracting an STI:
Minimize number of sexual partners between testing
Avoid partners who engage in high risk actives
Use condoms/dental dams
Develop communication skills
Check partner’s status before participating in sexual activities
Urinate after intercourse
Explore alternatives
Don’t share needles
Get regular medical checkups/attention
Thoroughly clean shared sex toys
The most important takeaway from this article is to emphasize the importance of frequent testing! Frequent testing is crucial in being able to diagnose and treat a STI before it progresses into a STD.
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