Sexual Transmitted Infections (STDs/STIs)

What are sexually transmitted diseases/infections?

Sexually transmitted infections are transferred from one person to another through sexual contact (MedicineNet.com).

Types of STDs/STIs

Source: CDC

• Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Genital Herpes
• Hepatitis
• HIV/AIDS
• HPV
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Syphilis
• Trichomoniasis

Side effects:

• Chlamydia & Gonorrhea (Odor discharge from the penis or vagina; pain or burning when urination)
• Syphilis (Sores & rashes on or in the mouth, vagina, and anal)

Not all STDs/STIs show symptoms and when they do the infection is taking over your body or causing bodily harm.

Treatment:

Most STDs/STIs can be treated with Antibiotics, penicillin, and/or metronidazole. STDs like genital warts and HIV/AIDS are not curable the virus stays in your body  

How are STDs/STIs spread?

• Body Fluids (Blood, Vaginal Fluids or semen)
• Contact with infected skin or mucous membranes (Ex. Sores in the mouth)
• Needle injection

You can be exposed to body fluids and infected skin through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Ways to prevent STDs/STIs:

1. Use Condoms
2. Limit number of sexual partners to ONE
3. Get Tested (You and Your Partner)
4. Avoid drugs & alcohol when engaging in sex
5. Get the HPV & Hepatitis B vaccinations

Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/guide/std-treatments#1
http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/most-common-stds-men-women#1
http://youngwomenshealth.org/2013/01/16/sti-information/
http://www.cdc.gov/std/default.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5472

Prevention & Sexual Health

Understanding Prevention:

What is prevention?

Prevention is to keep something from happening. To stop the occurrence of any obstacle.

Levels of Health Prevention:

• Primary Prevention- the first level of health care, concerned with preventing the onset of a disease, the goal is to reduce the incidence of diseases (www.med.uottawa.ca).
• Secondary Prevention- the second level, is detecting a disease at the earliest stages before it progresses ("").
• Tertiary Prevention- the third phase, interventions designed to arrest the progress of an established disease and to control its negative consequence  ("").

Why is prevention important for sexual health?

Prevention is important when it comes to sexual health because it ensures healthy sexual habits. This relates to HIV/AIDs, STDs/STIs, and HPV. Knowing what prevention is and knowing how to apply it to your health will decrease your chances of any sexually transmitted infections or diseases. Moving forward, relating prevention and sexual health is important because many people are not educated on prevention steps. Prevention starts with educating oneself on safe sex practices, communicating concerns to your partner, and know the different types of STDs/STIS. 

Male & Female Sexual Health Prevention

Common health tips for men and women from Webmb

• Control blood pressure, cholesterol level, and other medical conditions
• Avoid Alcohol and recreational drugs (This can lessen sexual desire and can effect performance)
• Avoid any medications that cause sexual problems (notify your physician)
• Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly
• Get enough sleep 

Sources:

http://www.med.uottawa.ca/sim/data/Prevention_e.htm

http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/understanding-male-sexual-problems-prevention

http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/understanding-female-sexual-problems-prevention

Understanding Sexual Health in Relations to Safe Sex practices

What is Sexual Health?

Sexual Health is one's physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality (CDC, 2014). In order for sexual health to be positive, one must approach their sexuality and sexual relationship(s) respectfully and accordingly. Also, you must practice safe sex, have regular health check-ups, and having healthy eating habits. Many people also believe exercising plays a key in sexual health. However, when the act of sexual intercourse happening, do you think about your sexual health? 

STDs/STIs

What are STDs/STIs? 

STDs/STIs are sexual transmitted diseases or infections. The term STI is used more because it steers away from the stigma of diseases. 

Knowing and understanding sexually transmitted diseases or infections is very imperative. When engaging in protected and unprotected sex, one should understand condoms are not very effective due to its protection rate of 97%. What about the other 3%? That still is a big risk. With all of this, it is of importance to know who you are engaging in sexual relations with, that is knowing their status, using condoms, and knowing of other effective ways to protect against STDs/STIs. 

Safe sex practices among young adults:

I reviewed a study that surveyed young adults about the "Intentions to Practice Safe Sex". The study focus on sexually activate and non-sexually activate students and what they believe about sex practices. In one section, it focused on past sexual risk behavior, such as subjects who always used condoms were at a lower risk of getting an STD/STi compared to people who sometimes used condoms. In the same way, the researchers look at young adults who have stable or casual relationships with two or partners  and sometimes used condoms were at a higher risk (Hardmeman, Pierro, & Mannetti, 1997).

The study concluded to show that young adults have the intention to practice safe sex. Young adults attitude is to avoid casual sex and unprotected, and to use condoms with knowing the benefits of them. Also many past risky sexual behaviors have deterred many young adults from engaging in unprotected sex. 

Although the study is relatively dated it gives good insight on how many young adults think today. The source is still liable and has good evidence to support its case.

Sources: 

https://www.cdc.gov/sexualhealth/

Hardeman, W., Pierro, A., & Mannetti, L. (1997). Determinants of intentions to practice safe sex among 16–25 year-          olds. Journal Of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 7(5), 345-360.

 

Introduction

My Name is Astoria Griggs. I cannot wait to share my blog with you guys. The ideas that will be presented here will be about sexual health. I chose this topic because I feel that schools can do a better job of teaching the importance of sexual health.