STDs & STIs

STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease, which is something you probably already knew…

STD is the most commonly used term for a collection of infections and diseases that are spread through any kind of sexual contact. However, people who become infected don’t always know they are infected because they’re not always experiencing symptoms. Sometimes, people’s sexually transmitted infections don’t always develop into a disease, so that is where the term STI came from.

The Most Common Symptom Of An STD/STI? None.

Most people with an STD/STI don’t know it, because infections have no symptoms. With or without symptoms, disease can still spread from person to person.

Prompt treatment and early detection can help prevent complications of some STD/STI’s. Since many people in the early stages of STD/STI’s experience no problems, screening is important to prevent complications.

STD/STI’s Left Untreated Could Cause:

• Sores or bumps anywhere on the body
• Recurrent genital sores
• Generalized skin rash
• Pain during intercourse
• Scrotal pain, redness and swelling
• Pelvic pain
• Groin abscess
• Eye inflammation
• Arthritis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Infertility
• Cervical cancer

According to the CDC, there are 20 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections diagnosed each year, and about half of those are in people under age 25.

All STD’s or STI’s are treatable, but that doesn’t mean they are always curable. The only way to know if you or a partner has an STD/STI is to get tested. Call SCV Pregnancy Center for referral information.

STD/STI Exposure

How many partners have you really been with? Had sex with just a couple people? Seems safe enough, right?

However, there’s a chain reaction that occurs if your partner had sex with someone else, and then that person had sex with someone else, and on and on. The more people involved in this chain, the more at risk you are. If any of them was infected, whether they had symptoms or not, you’re at risk.

Do the math. How many partners have you been with? Use the calculator below to see your exposure rate. What are your odds of getting a life-changing or life-threatening STI?

STD/STI’s May Spread Easier Than You Think

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are spread by sharing body fluids or by skin-to-skin contact with an infected partner.
• Most infected people have no symptoms.
• You may get more than one STI at a time.
• Your risk multiplies with every sexual encounter.

If you wish to avoid sexually transmitted infections altogether, you need a plan. Any sexual activity, and any genital contact with another person can be a serious matter that can put you at risk for life-long consequences. STI’s can be spread with any sexual activity to various parts of the body, not just limited to genitals.

Use knowledge to empower your decisions. The consequences that follow casual sex or putting off getting tested for STD’s are preventable.

Need a plan? Need some help? Contact us to talk about it.

Calculate Your Exposure Rate