Sexually Transmitted Disease (STDs) or Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) is the infection that is transmitted during sexual contact. Whenever any type of sexual activity occurs, this condition can happen. That bacteria or parasites cause the infection that pass from person to person in semen, blood or through vaginal fluids.
There are some STDs that don’t have any kind of sign or symptoms and it spreads the infection from one person to another.
Remember that STDs can reside in your body for years without your knowledge and can internally destroy body with several kinds of diseases.
How common is STD?
Many people ask how common is STD?
If you are unknown to STD then remember that this kind of infection can have high range of signs and symptoms and some may go unnoticed.
But STD is very common and the reason is people are not aware of the fact, they don’t know how to treat, what are the ways to prevent it and how to avoid them.
However, its also true that every disease that affect sex orgasm is not considered as STDs and also not everything is related to sex as well.
List of STDs
|Trichomoniasis||Crabs / Pubic Lice|
|Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)||Molluscum Contagiosum|
Chlamydia is a common infection that happens to both men and women. It infects cervix in women and penile urethra in men. Generally, people get infects with this disease by penetrative sex that includes oral, vaginal or anal sex with whom is already suffering from the infection.
Most people suffering from it don’t see any symptoms and common in young adults especially who are active sexually.
- Unusual discharge from penis or vagina
- Very painful sex
- Throat infection
- Swollen testicles
Chlamydia is easily curable STD with antibiotic medicine like Azithromycin. But if you don’t cure it then it can really damage your health. If you want to know more about how to cure Chlamydia, you can CLICK HERE.
The infection is prevented by using condoms or dental dams while having sex with your partner.
Similar to Chlamydia, Gonorrhea is also one of the bacterial infection that is also known as “clap”. This condition is caused by Bacterium Neisseria gonorrhea. Its symptoms are not seen but when occurs then develop in 4 to 8 days after contracting it.
Generally this kind of infection is spread by anal, oral or vaginal sex who is already infected. This can also occur if you touch your eye with your infected hand. Even it can spread to baby while birth only when mother is already infected with it.
- Burning or pain while urinating
- Unusual discharge from urethra
- Itching in anal
- Painful testicles
- Infection in rectum and throat
Gonorrhea sometimes don’t have any symptoms but its treatment is done via antibiotics like Cefixime. In fact, there are other antibiotics as well that is helpful in curing it. Get to know more about Gonorrhea Treatment here.
The prevention is very easy to follow, only required to use condoms while having sex even if your partner don’t have any problem.
Trichomoniasis is also one of the common STD that affects both men and women. It’s also called as “Trich” and this infection also don’t have any symptoms. It is caused by single celled protozoan parasite known as Trichomonas vaginalis.
Men get infected in urethra whereas women get infection in vagina. It generally happens by sexual contact or vulva to vulva contact.
Men get infected by having sex with women whereas women get it from male or female sexual partners.
- Pain while sexual intercourse
- vaginal odor
- itching or irritation
- vaginal discharge
- pain when urinating
Prevention is very important and so you should always use condoms while having sexual activity as this is the only way to prevent from Trichomoniasis STD.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
HPV stands for Human Papilloma Virus which is one of the common sexually transmitted infections. If you see its types then around 200 types are available in which 40 kinds can infect genital area. Generally, it gets infected while sexual contact.
HPV is also known as “the cervical cancer virus” but only few of them are linked with cancer. It’s believed that around 75% of people get infected with this STD at some point in life. It may don’t have any symptoms as well.
- Itching in genital part
- Bumps or lumps in genital area
- Can cause cancer in vagina, anus, mouth, vulva, penis, throat etc
The symptoms usually go on its own but are incurable. Destroy or removing genital warts are available that is done by nurse or doctor and HPV vaccines are available for 11-12 year old. More on treatment can be found on Human Papilloma Virus treatment.
Suggested to use condoms during sex but its not the perfect protection, only it reduces in getting HPV disease further.
Syphilis is also a common STD that has very bad history and is severe when not treated. It is caused by Treponema pallidum bacteria. It develops 10 to 90 days after infected and gets cured after 3-6 weeks. This condition is very common because people have unprotected sex and it leads to severe case.
This STD is divided into four stages such as primary, secondary, latent and tertiary. And remember that every stages has various symptoms. It’s transmitted through vaginal, oral or anal sex.
- Rashes are seen that normally don’t have itching sensation
- Swollen lymph glands
- Sores are round and painless
- Sore throat and fever
Syphilis is treatable with antibiotics but if the first stage is not treated then then its sure that secondary syphilis will develop. Click Here to know more on how to treat Syphilis
You can use condoms but it only lowers the likelihood of transmission and it’s not removed permanently.
HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus is one of the devastating stages that is linked with AIDS. Once, it was considered as a death sentence but in today’s time, there is a possibility to live a healthy life with HIV. It gets transmitted while sex, and other bodily fluids like vaginal secretion, blood, semen and breast milk.
But remember that HIV is not infected if you share foods, hold hands, kissing to partner etc. In US, around 1.1 million people are living in HIV and every year around 38,000 new infections occur. Many people don’t even have any symptoms and they live freely.
- Swollen lymph glands
- Lack of energy
- Sores or lesions
- Nausea and vomiting
- Joint pain, fever
There is no such cure for HIV but there are several medicines that can make men feel healthy and live long. The medicines only lower the chance of spreading the virus to other. HIV can lead to AIDS but with proper medicine, the amount in blood is reduced so much that even not visible in test.
The best way to stay away from HIV/AIDS is by using condoms while having sex. Basically this STD is spread during sex and using condom can protect such thing from spreading.
Hepatitis is an infection that causes liver damage and Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) can spread via contact with sores, infected blood, semen and other fluids. This is very danger as it can pass to babies during birth when mother has it.
When this disease happens to teens then it is really serious and if it occurs in adults then the body is able to fight it. As the time passes, the chronic infection linked with hepatitis B can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver scarring. In United States, approx. 1.25 million people suffer from chronic HBV infection.
HBV may not have any symptoms but can see signs of acute hepatitis in 50% of infection. Whereas HCV also don’t have any symptoms and most people suffer from chronic infection that causes liver damage.
- Vomiting, appetite loss, nausea
- Belly pain
This condition can be very serious and there is no cure for it. When treatment becomes necessary then its done via antiviral drugs. Check out this complete guide on how to treat Hepatitis B infection.
Vaccine is available that can protect against this infection. Take Hepatitis B vaccine and have safer sex using condoms can help to get rid of the disease. If you already had HBV then your body becomes so strong that you will not get infected again with it.
Herpes is yet another harmful STD that cause sores in sexually exposed areas of body. It comes in two forms, HSV1 and HSV2. Generally HSV1 causes cold and sores in mouth whereas HSV2 causes genital herpes and these both types have the ability to infect genital area.
People should be aware that this virus can transmit even when they are not having any sores or such type of symptoms. Similar to other STDS, there is a big possibility to get infected with HSV with rare symptoms or not at all.
The condition can really be very painful and annoying but one good news is that it does not lead to any kind of serious health. The condition is very rare as out of 6, only 1 men is affected with genital herpes.
Painful blisters or sores are seen on:
The condition is not curable but there are medicines available that helps to reduce the symptoms or its frequency. And outbreaks reduce overtime and it’s not dangerous in spite of painful.
Suggested to use condoms but it only lowers the risk of herpes transmission and this is also true that condoms are not 100% effective as the condition spreads through skin contact.
Crabs / Pubic Lice
Pubic Lice also known as “crabs” are very small parasites are found in hair in genital area. If you see in magnifying glass then it will almost look like crabs you find in beach side. This disease is transmitted via sexual contact and in rare case, they can pass in infected clothing and linens.
Every year around 3 million people get infected with this disease and you can assume how common this is. They live in the skin and feed on blood. This is spread even with chest hair, eyelashes, beards, eyebrows, and mustaches and even using towel, clothes and bed of infected person.
- Crab eggs at bottom of pubic hairs
- Irritating feeling, feverish etc
- Itching in genital area
- Dark or bluish spot on skin
This Pubic Lice are easy to remove by using over the counter shampoo. To know more on Pubic Lice treatment, CLICK HERE.
Try to shave your pubic hair as this may stop you from further infection but its not a confirm process.
Molluscum Contagiosum is a viral skin infection and causes small bumps on genital area/skin. It has four types named as MCV-1, MCV-2, MCV-3 and MCV-4. It gets transmitted when infected skin is touched along with sexual activity. It’s not considered as dangerous because it goes on its own.
Virus that lives in outer layer of skin is the main cause of this disease and spread via sharing clothes, towels and remember that this infection can occur in children as well as adults.
- Small and round bumps on skin
- Painless but itchy sometimes
- Bumps are in alone or in groups
The bumps when not treated goes away on its own but takes time up to 2 years. However, the bumps can be removed by doctor using chemicals, freezing them or through electric current. Click Here to know more on how to cure Molluscum Contagiosum
Best way to prevent this disease is by avoiding sex or skin to skin contact with someone who is already having the same condition. Also avoid using or touching clothes of those people who is already infected.
Scabies is a skin disease that is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei and due to this, an itchy rash occurs that get worse at night. Person suffering from this condition suffers from skin rash and itchiness. Those men suffering from it are not aware of the condition for long time and it also means that the disease spread itself extremely.
Though the disease is unknown but according to few people, living in poor condition and lack of personal hygiene is associated with it. It is transmitted via body contact like sexual intercourse or holding hands for long time.
Even it can spread from sharing clothes or living with the person who is already infected. Scabies burrow underneath top layer of skin and there they lay eggs. They cannot jump or fly but can survive for 1 to 2 days more.
- Intense itching
- Rash pimple like bumps
- Crooked line on skin
Scabies can go and again come back so it is very important to treat it. This is treated with medication called as “scabicide” that kills mites and eggs both. It comes in the form of lotion or creams that needs to rub from neck to toes and wash it after several hours. Know more on how to Cure Scabies by Clicking Here.
The best way to avoid such disease is staying away from that person who is infected with it. Also don’t share your clothes or use clothes of a person already infected. Don’t have sex unless you both partners finish your treatment.
What Are The Risk Factors Of STDs?
Every people who are active sexually have a chance to get suffer from little bit of STD or STI. Therefore, there is always some risk including:
- If you are having an unprotected sex then chances is high of getting infected with STD. And this may increase the risk if you don’t use condoms
- If you are sexually contacts more than one partner then you are at greater risk
- If you have previous history of STI then it can spread further
- Sharing needles can spread the infection like HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C
- Oral sex is good but is too risky as well because infection can still be transferred
- Those men who ask for drugs like Viagra, Cialis or other to cure erectile dysfunction can suffer from STI. Therefore, you should practice safe sex and should keep yourself up to date
- Generally STI occurs in people aging from 15 and 24.
Overall Prevention Tips For STDs Or STIs
Well, when you suffer from any unwanted condition then first thing that comes in mind is how to prevent from that in future, right?
So here I am going to give you some prevention tips that will help you to avoid or lower the risk of sexually transmitted disease. They are:
- One of the best way to avoid STDs is by not having sex
- Always be loyal to your partner and stay in long term relationship with only one. Doing this will enjoy sexual life better and both of them will be happy without any infection.
- Whenever you come to know about the sexual issue, get vaccination as soon as possible because this is the best way to stay away from STIs.
- Oral sex has low risk but try to use latex condoms instead of making direct contact. Also don’t do vaginal and anal intercourse with any new partners unless both are tested for STIs.
- Excess of anything is risky so here also implies the same thing. Stop drinking in excess quantity and use of drugs because there is a high chance of suffering from sexual risks
- Whenever you do sexual activity either vaginal, anal or oral, use condom. Avoid using oil based lubricants like petroleum jelly with condoms.
- Male circumcision lowers the risk of getting HIV from infected women around 60%. Even this process is helpful in stopping transfer of genital HPV with genital herpes.
- Communication is very important especially when you want to make sexual contact with your partner. Ensure both partners agree to it and enjoy the moment without any problem.
Well, STDs are a common problem for millions of people and its not easy to cure as well. But there are ways to prevent them and one should stay consistently to avoid such disease in future. Though many of them are cured on its own but still some prevention is recommended.
However, in this blog I have discussed the list of STDs and their completely cure, prevention and other things. So take care of yourself and whenever you notice any unwanted symptoms, immediately go to your doctor and find the ways to cure it.
Stephanic Taylor, a sex and relationship expert is been working for last 15 years with couples and individuals to sort out several unwanted sexual problems. Stephanic’s guidance has solved many sexual problems and his focus is on helping men of all ages. Besides, he is a contributor of https://www.mensexualclinic.com and writes about different topics of sexual well-being for men. Apart from this, he also loves to watch movies and to visit different countries for vacations.