When you decide to become sexually active you open yourself up to a whole new world of diseases. These sexually transmitted diseases are commonly called STDs, and they are passed through intimate sexual contact and fluids shared in intercourse. The scary thing about STDs is that you can’t generally tell if somebody has one, and sometimes people with an STD don’t even know that they have one because they don’t have any outward symptoms! That is why it is very important for sexually active girls and women to get tested for STDs regularly and to visit the gynecologist every year to get checked out. If you have multiple sexual partners or if you don’t use a condom, you are at a very dangerous risk of getting an STD; you should see your gynecologist more frequently and start using protection. Also, if you are considering having sex, ask your partner to get tested before you take that step. Some STDs are curable, and some aren’t. You may have an STD for your whole life. Many times STDs are easily treated, but in some cases they are life-threatening. An STD may prevent you from ever having a baby, or lead to other disabilities.

The good news is that you can prevent STDs. The only way you can be guaranteed that you are prevented from getting an STD is through abstinence, AKA not having sex. If you decide to have sex, the only form of birth control that will help to prevent STDs is a latex condom. If you’re not having intercourse but are engaging in oral sex, there are products that can also offer you protection against STDs. The pill, the patch, the diaphragm and other forms of birth control will not protect you from STDs. Using a latex condom will protect against many STDs, but it won’t protect against some and it is not 100% effective.

Some STDs have no noticeable symptoms. However, some common symptoms of STDs include:

• bumps, sores or warts hear the mouth or vagina
• skin rashes
• inflammation or redness near the vagina
• vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor
• itchiness near the vagina
• painful urination
• aches and pains
• a fever and chills
• weight loss
• digestive problems, including diarrhea
• night sweats
• jaundice
• vaginal bleeding, not menstrual
• pain during sex

If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your OB/GYN about testing.

The one STD you have probably heard the most about is AIDS, which can develop in someone who has the HIV virus. If you are scared about getting AIDS through having sex, you should be. According to the US government, nearly 1 million people are living with AIDS in this country alone. You never know who has AIDS, and if you are considering having sex with somebody, you probably should know for sure. At least get tested, and make sure your partner is tested, too.

Click below to read about related topics.

Introduction
Abstinence
Birth Control
Teen Parenting
STDs