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Women's Health

Gynecology

Sexual Health

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

It's scary, but true: Twelve million people will get an STD this year and two-thirds of these people are teenagers and adults under the age of 25. Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that are spread through sexual contact–contact that may be genital, oral or anal. They are caused by either bacteria or viruses and while some can be treated with antibiotics, one is fatal–HIV/AIDS.

Common STDs

Some of the STDs you may have heard about are syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), which is caused by HIV. Other types of infections include genital warts, chancroid, and trichomoniasis.

Symptoms

Sometimes you can tell if you have an STD and sometimes you cannot. This is because many times the infection doesn't cause any symptoms, especially in women. Another reason is that the signs of the STD, ulcers or breaks in the skin for example, can occur inside the woman's vagina or on the cervix.

Symptoms of STDs in women include:

  • Sores on or in the vagina, on the labia, on or around the anus or mouth
  • Irregular growths (warts) in the genital area
  • Vaginal discharge (may be foul-smelling or discolored)
  • Vaginal itching
  • Pain on urination or having a bowel movement
  • Pain with intercourse
  • Bleeding or spotting after sexual intercourse
  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Pain or swelling of glands in the groin area
  • Rash

If You Think You Have an STD–Take Action

If you think you have an STD, or you've been sexually active with someone who might have an STD, see your health care provider right away. If you don't have a primary care doctor, call your health department to find a nearby STD clinic.

Protect Yourself

You are particularly at risk of getting an STD if you have more than one sexual partner, or if your partner has more than one sexual partner. When condoms are used correctly, 100% of the time they provide the best protection against STDs currently available.

From a medical point of view, you know it's wrong to engage in the dangerous practice of intravenous drug use, but if you do it anyway, you need to know that HIV can be spread through the sharing of needles.