Sexuality is one of the basic and most beautiful characteristics of human beings. Sexuality makes us attract each other. Unfortunately, along with the joy, sexual relations also bring the danger - the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Sexually transmitted diseases are spread through sexual relations involving the genitals, rectum or mouth, but can also be transferred from mother to fetus during pregnancy or childbirth. Sexually transmitted diseases, which affect both men and women worldwide, represent a public health problem.

In the United States it is estimated that 65 million of people suffer from STDs. Given that in America there are about 305 million people at the moment, one can easily conclude that 21.3% of Americans (but much higher percentage of sexually active population!) is suffering from a sexually transmitted infection.

At the greatest risk are youth between 16 and 26 years, primarily because of frequent changing of sexual partners, but also because of the frequent use of drugs and alcohol, which influence them to have the unprotected sexual intercourse.
Although most sexually transmitted diseases are treated, there are those for which there is no cure, such as HIV (which causes AIDS), genital herpes and human papilloma virus, which can lead to genital warts (condyloma).
Carriers of sexually transmitted diseases may be people who do not know that they are infected. Use the protection when having sex, including oral sex, until you are absolutely sure that neither you nor your partners are infected with a sexually transmitted disease.
If you are in a relationship, dispose sexual intercourse by the time you are physically and mentally ready, agree on having sex and do the test for sexually transmitted diseases.
 

Sexually transmitted diseases in men

STDs in men are quite widespread just as in women. Some believe that there are "female sexually transmitted diseases" and "male sexually transmitted diseases", but it is important to say that these are the same sexually transmitted diseases, because the viruses or bacteria that cause them are the same, but the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases in men differ from the symptoms of the diseases in women and in that sense there are differences.

They can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, kissing, oral-genital contact (oral sex), as well as using the same sex toys.

Sexually transmitted diseases in women

STDs in women are transferred during any kind of sexual contact, including intercourse (vaginal sex and anal sex), oral sex and sharing sex toys with a partner. For women it is characteristic that the symptoms of the same sexually transmitted diseases may differ from symptoms that men have, and sometimes there are no symptoms at all.
As we have already explained, there are no male and female sexually transmitted diseases, it is the same disease, as originating from the same bacteria and virus, only the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases may differ in women and men.

Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases

If you want to know which symptoms are indications of sexually transmitted diseases or sexual infections, we made a short but very effective list that you can check before you visit your doctor or clinic. So, here is a list of the most common symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases:

• Do you have an increased malodorous secretion from your genitals?
• Do you have a rash or itching in the genital area?
• Do you have any swellings, warts or blisters in the pubic region or near the anal opening?
• Have you noticed unusual-unpleasant odor in the genital area?
• Have you noticed a strange blister or open sore near the genitals?
• Do you experience pain during intercourse?
• Do you experience bleeding during sexual intercourse?
• Do you have pain in your stomach?
• Have you noticed any unusual or unexplained swelling?
• Is your urine dark or has an unpleasant, strange smell?
• Do you have a burning sensation when urinating?

If you have any of these symptoms, immediately contact your doctor. Most sexually transmitted diseases can be cured, and very quickly if treated as early as possible. So time is an important factor, do not wait a second. Even the most dangerous sexually transmitted diseases can be successfully treated if the treatment begins on time, so that the situation does not worsen.

Transmission of sexually transmitted diseases

Almost every STD is transmitted through body fluids and contact of the mucous membranes, as a result of lack of protection (not using a condom) during sexual intercourse, even when it comes to oral or anal sex. Some of the diseases can be transferred by contact with the infected skin (and not only through body fluids) such as for example Herpes (HSV) or genital warts (HPV), and the condom is often not a sufficient protection.

The symptoms of STDs can be absent for months or even years. The only way to know if you are infected with one of the sexually transmitted diseases is to contact a doctor and get tested.

Treatment of sexually transmitted diseases

As we said, the vast majority of sexually transmitted diseases are very successfully treated. Therefore, do not despair - there are many options for treatment of sexually transmitted diseases that are at your disposal.

The first and most important step is to contact a doctor. STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea (the clap) can be successfully cured using different antibiotics. On the other hand, micro-organisms that cause genital warts, or Herpes (HSV), remain present in the body of an individual, but can be controlled with help of various drugs and medical preparations.

The causes of AIDS (HIV) or hepatitis can be only partially controlled. If you are diagnosed with HIV AIDS or Hepatitis, it is necessary to follow the advice of doctors, take medication and adhere to the prescribed therapy, exactly as specified in the instructions. In many cases, a special support groups can help a lot through the exchange of experiences, questions and feelings, which are completely normal for such diagnosis.

What to expect from the doctor?

When you contact a doctor, be honest and tell him/her all your concerns, so that the doctor is able to help you and pay attention to everything you feel. Doing a test to determine if you are infected with one of the sexually transmitted diseases can be burdensome, so make that decision quickly and be honest with your doctor, because it is absolutely for your own interest and for your own good.

When you contact your doctor, he/she will most likely ask you why you think that you are infected. He/she might take a urine sample for testing or recommend a blood test; you may be examined to determine if you have swelling or blisters, and rashes, you may even get to do a Pap test, and anal examination.

In most cases, the doctor will have a very clear idea which sexual disease is in question before results are ready, while for certain sexually transmitted diseases, especially when it comes to AIDS or Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C, it may take weeks before you get the result of your tests, and may require additional tests, before your diagnosis is complete.

Tips for safe sex

Some sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV, can take up to 6 months to be detected in the blood. Genital herpes and human papilloma virus can be spread without symptoms. Although you and your partner are tested, continue to use condoms for another 6 months after you have had relationships with other people. After that, do the test again.

• Pay attention to the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases, such as unusual discharge, sores, redness, or enlargements in the genital area and pain when urinating.
• Do not have multiple sexual partners at the same time. Every time you get a new sexual partner, you are a subject to all the diseases that he / she or their sexual partners potentially have. The risk of sexually transmitted diseases increases if you have more sexual partners at the same time.
• Use a condom during every sexual intercourse. The condom is the safest protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Latex and polyurethane condoms do not allow sexually transmitted viruses to penetrate and represent reliable protection against these diseases. Condoms made of animal tissue do not protect against STDs.
• Use water-based lubricants such as K-Y Yelly or Astroglide to help prevent skin irritation when there is not enough lubrication during sexual intercourse. Slight irritation of the vagina during vaginal sex or rectum during anal sex allows STDs to get into the blood. 
• If you are a woman, avoid vaginal douching because it can disrupt the normal balance of organisms in the vagina and thus increase the risk of STDs.
• Behave responsibly. Avoid sexual contact if you have symptoms of infection or are being treated for sexually transmitted diseases or HIV. If you or your partner has herpes, avoid sex when there is an external manifestation and always use condoms.