What’s the Big Deal about STD’s?
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
Common Symptoms:
- Abnormal Discharge/Order
- Itching/Burning during urination
- Sore/Bumps/Rashes
Did you know that most people with an STD have no symptoms at all?
BACTERIAL INFECTIONS:
- Bacterial infections can be treated by antibiotics.
- Damage caused by these diseases prior to diagnosis cannot be reversed.
- Certain bacterial infections are becoming resistant to drugs.
Common Bacterial STDs
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Bacterial Vaginosis
VIRAL INFECTIONS:
- Only the symptoms of viral infections can be treated.
- Many viral infections remain permanently in the body, like HIV.
- Sometimes viral infections clear up on their own.
Common Viral STDs
- HIV/AIDS
- Genital Herpes
- HPV
Other Conditions:
- Trichomonas’s Parasite
- Public Lice, commonly known as “crabs”
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Treatments may include:
- Oral medication
- Topical medication
- Surgery
Risks:
- Infertility
- Cancer
- Increased susceptibility to PID, other STDs, HIV, and ectopic pregnancy
- Many STDs can be passed from mother to child.
Can Condoms help protect against STDs?
- If they are used correctlyand used 100% of the time, condoms provide some degree of risk reduction from contracting certain STDs. For STDs passed by skin to skin contact, they may provide no protection at all.
What do you think is your risk of contracting an STD? (Sexually transmitted disease)
- How would you feel if you found out you had one?
- How do you plan to protect yourself in the future?
You are not alone. We are here to help. We offer nonjudgmental counseling. We can offer you a referral for STD testing. Options for Women is available to take your call (573) 883-1088 or text (573)880-5185 right now.