Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Infections

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), also called Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) or Venereal Disease, are infections that you can get from having sex with someone who has the infection. These infections are usually passed by having vaginal intercourse, but they can also be passed through anal sex, oral sex or skin-to-skin contact. The causes of STDs are bacteria, parasites and viruses. There are more than 20 types of STDs, including:

Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Herpes
HIV/AIDS
HPV
Syphilis
Trichomoniasis


According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Most STDs/STIs affect both men and women, but in many cases the health problems they cause can be more severe for women. If a pregnant woman has an STD/STI, it can cause serious health problems for the baby.

If you have an STI caused by bacteria or parasites, your health care provider can treat it with antibiotics or other medicines. If you have an STD caused by a virus, there is no cure. Sometimes medicines can keep the disease under control. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading STDs/STIs.

It was once thought that spermicides with nonoxynol-9 could help prevent STDs/STIs much like they help prevent pregnancy--by damaging the organisms that cause the diseases. New research has shown that nonoxynol-9 can irritate a woman’s vagina and cervix, actually increasing the risk of STD/STI infection.

Be sure to check the ingredients of any other sex-related products you own, such as lubricants and condoms. Some brands of these products may have nonoxynol-9 added to them. If you are unsure if your spermicide or any other product contains nonoxynol-9, ask your doctor before using it.

Most STDs/STIs can be diagnosed through an exam by your doctor, a culture of the secretions from your vagina or penis, or through a blood test.

The only sure way to prevent STDs/STIs is by not having sex. If you have sex, you can lower your risk of getting an STI by only having sex with someone who isn't having sex with anyone else and who doesn't have an STD/STI.

You should always use condoms when having sex, including oral and anal sex.