All plants and animals that reproduce sexually may develop sexually transmitted infections. They are also very common among humans. Unfortunately, many people consider sexually transmitted infection a moral issue. But the stigma and shame that result may lead people to neglect taking good care of their sexual health. Many people find it very difficult to talk about their sexual health. But discomfort and shame can get in the way of common sense. They can keep people from taking good care of themselves and their partners by practicing safer sex and getting annual sexual-health checkups with their health care providers.
Safer-sex practice allows couples to reduce their sexual health risks. Safer sex is anything we do to lower our risk of sexually transmitted infection. The basic rule for safer sex is to prevent contact with genital sores and prevent the exchange of body fluids, such as semen, blood, and vaginal secretions.
For good sexual health care, choose a clinician with whom you can be comfortable while discussing these issues. Keep yourself healthy by speaking frankly and openly with your clinician about your sex life and your sexual health concerns. Some clinicians don't ask - so take charge and speak up. Remember, testing, examination, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections are always confidential.
If you or your partner has any of the following symptoms in the genital area, see a clinician right away:
- abnormal or smelly discharges from the vagina, penis, rectum
- bleeding
- blisters
- boils
- buboes
- burning sensations
- cervicitis
- chancres
- growths
- irritations
- itches
- odors
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- painful intercourse
- pains
- polyps
- pus
- rashes
- sores
- swellings
- tenderness
- ulcers
- urine changes
- vaginal yeast infections
- warts
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Some symptoms of sexually transmitted infections are like those of other kinds of infections. They may not even show up in the genital area. But they are serious and mean something is wrong with your health, whether or not they are sexually transmitted. Seek medical advice if any of the following symptoms persist:
- weight loss that is constant, rapid, or unexplained
- coatings of the mouth, throat, or vagina
- abdominal pain
- aching joints
- appetite loss
- bowel problems
- chills
- diarrhea
- coughs
- vomiting
- discolored skin
- fatigue
- feeling run down
- evers
- general weakness
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- growths
- hair loss
- hearing loss
- headaches
- jaundice
- lightheadedness
- mental disorders
- muscular pain
- nausea
- night sweats
- sore throat
- swollen glands
- vaginitis
- vision loss
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