Talk, Test, Treat: What You Need to Know About STIs. April is STI Awareness Month, a great time to learn more about sexually transmitted infections (STIs): what they are, how they’re transmitted, and how to minimize your exposure. According to the Center for Disease Control, in 2023, over 2.4 million cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia were diagnosed and reported. This includes over 209,000 cases of syphilis, over 600,000 cases of gonorrhea, and over 1.6 million cases of chlamydia. While these numbers are high, Bradley Stoner, MD, PhD, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of STD Prevention has said that these numbers are slowing and there is hope for fewer cases in the future. The theme for this year’s STI Awareness month is Talk, Test, Treat; let’s break it down.
What are STIs?
Sexually transmitted infections, sometimes called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections or conditions you can get from sexual activity, affecting your mouth, anus, vagina, or penis. Some common symptoms include:
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Bumps, sores or warts on or near your penis, vagina, mouth or anus.
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Swelling, burning or severe itching near your penis or vagina.
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Discharge from your penis.
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Vaginal discharge that has a bad odor, causes irritation or is a different color or amount than usual.
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Vaginal bleeding that’s not your period.
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Painful sex.
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Painful urination or frequent urination.
Sometimes STIs are asymptomatic (AKA no symptoms) making it much harder to diagnose and contain. You can also have other serious side effects like weight loss, rashes, night sweats, fever, and aches and pains.
How are STIs transmitted?
STIs are super contagious! They easily pass from person to person by sexual contact through body fluids or by touching the part of a person’s body that’s infected–usually the genitals. Sexually transmitted infections occur when bacteria or parasites are passed during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. However, there are some other ways STIs can be transmitted without sex, like sharing needles that contain blood for piercings, tattoos, or drugs.
How do I ensure I’m protected from STIs?
First things first: communication is key! Talking openly about sexual health is crucial to a happy and healthy sex life. Before you decide to become intimate with a person, discuss STIs. Have they been tested? When were you tested? For which STIs? What were the results? Discuss your history and be open about the precautions you want to take and your plans to be monogamous or not. Having these conversations can help you and your partner make sure you are on the same page and are completely comfortable with intimacy. Some other precautions you can take:
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Use a condom when you have sex.
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Avoid drugs and alcohol before sex. If you are under the influence, you are less likely to take safety precautions.
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Learn the symptoms of STIs and contact your doctor if you see them.
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Get tested regularly to prevent the spread.
When talking about STIs and condom compatibility, it’s important to mention that oil-based lubricants can break down latex and polyisoprene condoms, which increases the risk of breakage. The good news? Polyurethane condoms are safe to use with oil-based lubes.
How do you get tested for an STI?
Your healthcare provider can help you get tested for STIs, and because testing is the only reliable way to know if you have one, it’s extremely important to test often! Most providers recommend getting tested yearly, but you may want to get tested every few months if you have many partners. Different STIs require different tests, but can include a urine test, cheek swab, blood test, fluid sample, or discharge sample. The good news is, tests are easy and simple–there are even at-home STI tests you can take.
How do you treat an STI?
If you are infected with an STI, talk to your doctor immediately about your options. Most often, antibiotics or antiviral medications will be prescribed orally or given via injection. Once treated, you should start to feel better after a few days.
This month and beyond, the most important thing you can do is stay educated about STIs and don’t shy away from discussing them openly. For more on sexual health, follow us on social media and stay up on our latest blog posts.
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