Safe Sex & STI’s
What is “safe sex”
Safe sex is a term used to describe behaviors that lead to less risk in terms of physical and mental health. Here, we do not wish to preach for what we think is the “right” way to have sex. However, we will provide the facts along with tips on how to be healthy and safe in terms of your sexual behavior. Specifically, we will address birth control and sexually transmitted diseases. We will work to debunk the myths and stigmas surrounding both, and provide information specifically on: Herpes, HPV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and HIV.
How to have “safe sex”
To avoid unwanted pregnancy and STIs, birth control is the best invention up to date to avoid these. To protect oneself against unwanted pregnancy there are hormonal birth controls, such as the pill, and long lasting birth control, such as an IUD. There are also barrier methods to protect against both unwanted pregnancy as well as STIs. Barrier birth control includes male condoms, female condoms, dental dams, etc.
What is it? Herpes is a viral skin condition that commonly affects the genitals, mouth, or anus. It can also affect the eyes or upper thighs/buttocks area. There are two types of Herpes, HSV1 and HSV2 – HSV1 typically affects the mouth and HSV2 typically affects the genital region.
How is it transmitted? Herpes is spread from skin to skin contact, usually by kissing or sexual intercourse.
What are the symptoms? Cold sores/blisters that are first itchy, and eventually burst and scab over. They can be painful when they are open wounds before they scab over. The first outbreak is usually the most intense, and individuals may experience flu-like symptoms. However, herpes is commonly asymptomatic.
What is the treatment? Those who have herpes and experience symptoms can take antivirals daily or when they experience “prodrome” symptoms, such as itching or irritation. Herpes cannot be cured, it is a virus that lives in one’s body forever. However, it is manageable, and many people experience no outbreaks, few outbreaks, or outbreaks that are manageable by antivirals.
What is it? A sexually transmitted infection that may cause health problems such as gentital warts & increases risk of certain cancers.
How is it transmitted? Transmission occurs through skin-to-skin sexual contact. Because there are areas that condoms & other contraceptives do not cover, condom use will not guarantee full protection against HPV.
What are the symptoms? Most people may not have symptoms, as there is no HPV status tests. Some symptoms may involve genital warts, and may lead to an increased risk of cervical, genital or mouth & throat cancers.
What is the treatment? Currently, vaccinations are available for prevention, however, there is no cure for individuals who are diagnosed with HPV. If symptoms arise in the form of genital warts, treatment may involve surgeries for removal.
What is it? Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that commonly affects the penis, vagina, or urinary tract. However, Chlamydia can also affect the throat or the anus.
How is it transmitted? Sexual contact, usually penetrative sexual intercourse. This is because Chlamydia is transmitted through bodily fluids such as semen or vaginal fluid.
What are the symptoms? Common symptoms of Chlamydia include burning during urination, pelvic pain, smelly or discolored discharge, or itching.
What is the treatment? One round of antibiotics is needed to cure Chlamydia. It is recommended not to have sex a week after treatment to reduce chance of reinfection. Once Chlamydia is treated, it is cured, but one is not immune and can be reinfected if they are exposed again.
What is it? Sexually transmitted bacterium that can infect both men in the urethra, rectum or throat & women in the cervix
How is it transmitted? It is transmitted through unprotected sexual practices. It is important to wear a condom during intercourse to prevent transmission
What are the symptoms? Asymptomatic in many cases, however, when symptoms persist, they affect the genital tract. Men may experience painful urination, pus-like discharge from the tip of penis, or pain & swelling in one testicle. Women may experience increased vaginal discharge, painful urination, vaginal bleeding b/w periods, such as after vaginal intercourse painful intercourse, abdominal or pelvic pain.
What is the treatment? 250mg of intramuscular ceftriaxone AND 1g of oral azithromycin is recommended to cure gonorrhea by the CDC. Take the entire medication at once & do not share it with anyone
Check out our fun quizzes to test your knowledge on HPV and Chlamydia!
Chlamydia Quiz:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MLP6YDV
HPV Quiz:
References
“AIDSinfo.” US Department of Health and Human Services. (24 Nov. 2019). US National Library of Medicine. (24 Nov. 2019).
<https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/>
“Bi 101.” Bi.org. (2019). Bi.org. (24 Nov. 2019).
“Birth Control Myths.” Nationwide Children’s. (2019). Nationwide Children’s. (25 Nov. 2019).
<https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/specialties/bc4teens/resources/birth-control-myths>
“Chlamydia Basic Fact Sheet.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (23 Jan. 2014). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (24
Nov. 2019). <https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm>
“Contraception Myths.” Cleveland Clinic. (2019). Cleveland Clinic. (24 Nov. 2019).
<https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9137-contraception-myths>
“Gonorrhea.” MayoClinic. (25 Jul. 2019). MayoClinic. (24 Nov. 2019).
<https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gonorrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20351774>
“Gonorrhea: Treatment and Care.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (4 Jun. 2015). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 24
Nov. 2019). <https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/treatment.htm>
“Herpes Fast Facts.” American Sexual Health Association. (2019). American Sexual Health Association. (24 Nov. 2019).
<http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/stdsstis/herpes/fast-facts-and-faqs/>
“HIV.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (12 Nov. 2019). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (24 Nov. 2019).
<https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/age/youth/index.html>
“HIV Overview.” AIDSinfo. (3 Jul. 2019). US Department of Health and Human Services. (24 Nov. 2019).
<https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv-aids/fact-sheets/19/45/hiv-aids–the-basics>
“How Do I Talk About Consent?”Planned Parenthood. (2019). Planned Parenthood. (25 Nov. 2019).
<https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sex-and-relationships/sexual-consent/how-do-i-talk-about-consent>
“HPV Infection.” Mayo Clinic. (19 Oct. 2018). Mayo Clinic. (24 Nov. 2019).
<https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hpv-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20351596>
“Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the Most Common Sexually Transmitted Infection in the United States. Some Health Effects Caused by
HPV can be Prevented by the HPV Vaccines.” CDC. (16 Nov. 2017). CDC. (24 Apr. 2019).
<https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm>
“Mean Girls-Coach Carr ‘Don’t Have Sex.’” Means Girls. (2004). Means Girls. (24 Nov. 2019).
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5xkxTfVLSA>
Mintz, Laurie. “Sexual Communication: The Bedrock to Make Your Bed Rock.” Psychology Today. (17 Dec. 2017). Psychology Today. (24 Nov.
ock>
“Myths About HIV and AIDS.” Avert. (25 Oct. 2019). Avert. (24 Nov. 2019).
<https://www.avert.org/hiv-transmission-prevention/myths>
“Myths About STIs and Condoms.” FPA. (2019). FPA. (24 Nov. 2019).
<http://www.fpa.org.uk/2016-sexually-transmitted-infections/myths-about-stis-and-condoms>
“Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDS).” MayoClinic. (29 Oct. 2019). MayoClinic. (24 Nov. 2019).
“Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2017: Adolescents and Young Adults.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (24 Jul. 2018).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (24 Nov. 2019). <https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats17/adolescents.htm>
“STIs: What You Need to Know.” Kaiser Permanente. (13 Oct. 2019). Kaiser Permanente. (24 Nov. 2019).
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thvWLdyDT4U>
“Talking About Sex.” American Sexual Health Association. (2019). American Sexual Health Association. (24 Nov. 2019).
<http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/sexual-health/talking-about-sex/>
“5 Sex Myths & Their Relationship Implications.” Heartalytics. (5 Apr. 2019). Heartalytics. (24 Nov. 2019).
-advice-expert-relationship-help>