STI’s and Safe Sex Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are passed from one person to another through sexual contact, including oral, vaginal and anal sex. They are very common, with millions of new infections occurring each year in the United States. Check out five of the most common STIs and how you can protect yourself from getting them. STI’s STI’s Chlamydia What is it? Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial STI in the U.S. It is also the highest reported STI among active-duty service members (ADSMs). It can cause serious damage to a woman’s reproductive system, including infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), if left untreated. In rare cases, it can also lead to infertility in men. Who can get it? Men and women can both become infected with Chlamydia. What are the symptoms? Most people do not experience symptoms. When present, symptoms in women include an abnormal vaginal discharge and a burning sensation while peeing. Men may experience discharge from their penis, a burning sensation while peeing and pain or swelling in their testicles. What are the treatment options? Chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics. You should take all medicine prescribed and refrain from sex for seven days to avoid spreading the infection to your sexual partner(s). Even though treatment will heal the infection, it will not fix any long-term damage caused by the disease. Who is most at risk? Women under the age of 25 and those with high risk factors, such as new or multiple sexual partners, should get tested every year. Gay or bisexual men who are sexually active should also get tested regularly. How can I protect myself? Practice safe sex – Click here to learn more! Gonorrhea What is it?Gonorrhea is the second most common bacterial STI in the U.S. It can affect the genitals, rectum and throat. Left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to the development of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women and epididymitis, or the swelling of the tube behind the testicles that carries sperm, in men. Who can get it?Men and women can both become infected with Gonorrhea. What are the symptoms?Many people do not experience symptoms. In women, symptoms include a burning sensation when peeing, increased vaginal discharge and vaginal bleeding between periods. Men may experience a burning sensation when peeing, white, yellow or green discharge from the penis and painful or swollen testicles. What are the treatment options?Gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics, but several drug-resistant strains have developed. You should take all medicine prescribed and return to your healthcare provider if symptoms persist for longer than a few days after treatment. Even though treatment will heal the infection, it will not fix any long-term damage caused by the disease. Who is most at risk?Women under the age of 25 and those with high risk factors, such as new or multiple sexual partners, should get tested every year. Sexually active gay or bisexual men should also get tested annually. How can I protect myself?Practice safe sex – Click here to learn more! Syphilis What is it?Syphilis is a bacterial STI that develops in stages, where each stage has different symptoms. Without treatment, syphilis can cause serious health problems. It is the fastest increasing STI among ADSMs. Who can get it?Men and women can become infected with Syphilis. What are the symptoms?In the primary stage, sores may appear in, on or around your penis, vagina, anus, rectum, lips or inside the mouth. In the secondary stage, the most common symptom is a rash that looks rough, red or reddish-brown. Other possible symptoms include remaining sores, fever, swollen lymph glands, patchy hair loss, sore throat, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches and fatigue. In the latent stage, there are no visible symptoms. In the tertiary stage, syphilis can spread to the heart and blood vessels, the nervous system and the brain. Symptoms include severe headaches, muscle weakness, changes to your mental state (e.g., trouble focusing or personality shifts), dementia, eye pain or redness, vision changes or blindness, hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness or vertigo. What are the treatment options?Syphilis is curable with antibiotics, but without treatment it can move through several stages that progressively worsen. Even though treatment will heal the infection, it may not fix any damage caused by the disease. Who is most at risk?Sexually active individuals who are gay or bisexual, have been diagnosed with HIV or are currently using Prep should get tested regularly for syphilis. Women who are pregnant should also get tested, as syphilis can spread to the unborn baby and cause complications during and after birth. How can I protect myself?Practice safe sex – Click here to learn more! Human Papillomavirus (HPV) What is it?HPV is the most common STI in the U.S. There are over 150 types, but only 40 affect the genital area. It is possible to have more than one type of HPV at a time. HPV can cause genital warts and various cancers. Who can get it?Men and women can both become infected with HPV. What are the symptoms?Often, HPV does not have any symptoms and will go away on its own. However, sometimes HPV can cause genital warts and cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus and in the back of the throat. What are the treatment options?There is no treatment for HPV itself, but there are treatment options for the health problems that are caused by HPV. Genital warts can be cured with prescription medicine. Treatment for cervical precancer is available if problems are found before cancer develops. Other cancers caused by HPV are more treatable the sooner they are found. Who is most at risk?Anyone who is sexually active with a new partner is at risk of contracting HPV. How can I protect myself?Practice safe sex – Click here to learn more! Get vaccinated: The HPV vaccine prevents genital warts and cancers of the cervix, vagina, penis, anus and throat. It is deemed very safe and effective and is available at all military medical facilities for males and females aged 9 to 26. For individuals aged 27-45 years, the vaccine has less benefit but may protect against new HPV infection. Get tested for cervical cancer: Women who are 21-65 years old can prevent cervical cancer with routine screening. Genital Herpes What is it?Genital herpes is a common STD caused by two types of viruses. Oral herpes is linked to genital herpes because the virus can spread to the genitals during oral sex. Who can get it?Men and women can both become infected with genital herpes. What are the symptoms?Many people do not experience symptoms, or their symptoms are mild. The most common indication of genital herpes is a blister-like sore on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth. What are the treatment options?Although there is no cure for genital herpes, medicines exist that can prevent or lessen outbreaks. A daily medicine is also available that can reduce the likelihood of transmitting the infection to your sexual partner(s). Who is most at risk?Anyone who has oral, vaginal or anal sex with someone who has genital herpes can get the infection. You can also become infected if you come in contact with a herpes sore, saliva or skin in the oral area of a partner with oral herpes, and genital fluids or skin in the genital area of a partner with genital herpes. How can I protect myself?Practice safe sex – Click here to learn more! Practice Safer SexAll sexual contact comes with risk, but there are ways to protect yourself from STIs. Have open discussions with new partners:Talk to your partner about previous sexual behavior, STI history and drug use before engaging in any type of sexual activity.PrevNext Limit your number of sexual partners:The more sexual partners you have, the higher your risk of contracting an STI. You are also more likely to have a partner who is unaware of their STI status, which could put you at risk.PrevNext Get tested for STIs regularly:Knowing your STI status ensures that you are able to control and treat the infection before it causes complications. It also helps you avoid transmitting the disease to your sexual partners.PrevNext Always use condoms:Correct AND consistent use of condoms significantly reduces the risk of acquiring or spreading HIV and other STIs. Use a condom every time you have sex, especially if you do not know your partner’s STI status or sexual history.PrevNext Avoid drinking alcohol or using drugs:Engaging in sexual activity while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can impair judgement and lead to riskier decision making. It is best to remain sober when planning to have sex, especially if it is not with a trusted partner.PrevNext Be aware of any bodily changes:If you notice changes in your body, such as new sores, blisters, rashes or discharge, you should get tested immediately. These mutations can be signs of an STI.PrevNext Keep in mind that abstaining from oral, vaginal and anal sex altogether or having sex with a mutually monogamous uninfected partner are the only ways to be completely protected from the transmission of HIV and other STIs. STI or STD: What’s the Difference? You may have heard the terms STI and STD used interchangeably. All sexually transmitted illnesses used to be referred to as sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs. More recently, they have been classified as sexually transmitted infections, or STIs. The main difference between the two terms is symptom progression. Many STIs do not have symptoms, so people may be unaware that they have an infection. Yet once symptoms become present, it is considered to be an STD. Ideally, STIs are prevented and treated before developing into an STD. Additional Resources Centers for Disease Control and Pre – “STD Diseases and Related Conditions” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – “How You Can Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – “How to Use a Male (External) Condom”
