Sexually transmitted infections, even in our modern society, are considered by many women to be “shameful” and in general such that only ladies of not the most severe behavior suffer. Not without interest in this context will be the information that about 80% of the inhabitants of our area at least once in their lives suffered an STI in one form or another. What do girls most often bring back from vacation looking for love and entertainment? Exactly - these same STIs. So, what to do and where to run after the holidays to make sure everything is all right with you?

Not just casual connections

The prevalence of genital infections in the near-sea regions is no higher than anywhere else, just the romance of warm nights on the seashore or in a hotel with a pool is the best way to make us stop thinking with our heads and easily rush into all serious. Let's not talk about today serious illnesses, which can also be obtained in the process of having sex (HIV infection, syphilis, hepatitis), and we will discuss the so-called group of sexually transmitted infections, including herpes, gonorrhea, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. The incubation period from infection to disease can be up to three weeks or more, these diseases do not affect well-being in any way, so it is very easy to simply overlook them. A woman most often becomes infected during the first sexual contact, men - a little less often. You can talk for a long time about the inappropriateness of casual relationships, but, firstly, your regular partner could have contracted such an infection many years ago, including yourself, and secondly, it’s up to you to decide whether to have intimate relationships or not.

It is a mistake to think that a “serious”, “decent” and “clean” person cannot be infected! Just carry a condom in your purse at all times and insist that your partner use it. Upon returning from vacation, go to the doctor and get tested.

Why are STDs dangerous?

It would seem that nothing hurts, why treat? But doctors do not agree with this opinion! In every fifth infected person, the disease takes on a chronic form and is treated with great difficulty, in addition, such infections tend to constantly “fade out” and “return” with new force. If the infection is not cured or not treated at all, it can be fraught with vaginal dysbacteriosis, inflammation of its walls, uterine mucosa, adhesions and obstruction of the fallopian tubes. As a result - the inability to conceive, the threat of miscarriage and missed pregnancy, the danger of premature birth. In men - erectile dysfunction, infertility, decreased sensitivity during sex, prostatitis and other troubles.

What symptoms should alert you?

• Pain while urinating
• Burning and itching in the genital area
• Unusual vaginal discharge (bad smell, strange color, profuseness) or intermenstrual spotting
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Discomfort during sex
• In some cases, redness or sores in the genital area

Don't be afraid to see a doctor!

Photo Shutterstock

No self-respecting professional will allow himself an unflattering statement about a patient, comments about his sexual life, consciousness, and the like. If your doctor is behaving incorrectly, contact another specialist. Self-medication is unacceptable
At the appointment, the gynecologist will ask you about your complaints, conduct a standard examination, do a colposcopy (examination of the cervix under a microscope), take a smear. Next, bacterioscopic and bacteriological studies, DNA diagnostics or PCR diagnostics, PIF research (direct immunofluorescence) and an immunological blood test will be carried out. This examination will make it possible to identify the causative agent of the infection as accurately as possible and prescribe competent treatment.

Usually, STIs are treated from several “fronts” at once: these are immunostimulating therapy, and antibacterial treatment (since the causative agent is a bacterium, antibiotics are indispensable), and vitamins, sometimes washing the genitourinary tract with special medication solutions. Physiotherapy is also often used, which helps to destroy microbes and strengthen the immune system. Modern antibiotics are taken for a maximum of a week, and the entire course of treatment takes an average of 2-6 weeks. And you need to be treated together!

Consultant — Daria Sycheva, obstetrician-gynecologist

How to tell your partner that you have a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Safe Relationship Article

Finding out that you have an STD can be frustrating and scary, especially if the disease is surrounded by myths and stigmatization. Probably your biggest fear in this situation is talking to your current or potential partner (if you're having sex). The American Sexual Health Association reports that one in two have had, will have an STD at some point in their lives. However, the question of how to disclose your STD+ partner status is still rarely covered.

So:
1) Be honest with each other
By discussing your illness, you show that you care about your partner and value their health as much as your own.

2) Break down negative stereotypes about people with STDs.
I love this part! When I talk about the fact that I have genital herpes type 1, I break the stereotypes. I explain that many people have the same disease as me (one in five Americans); Also, if I have sex with a partner, it does not automatically mean that my partner will get it. In fact, most likely not, as I can take the necessary precautions (medication, abstaining from sexual contact that could transmit my disease); Many people don't even know they have herpes or HPV or even HIV. Therefore, it is very important to have sex with those people who know their STD status and take care of their health.

3) Bring sex education to the masses
STDs are incredibly common and are still surrounded by many myths. People are afraid of what they don't know. If you talk about STDs with at least one person, you will help break the stigma around this phenomenon.

Of course, discussing your STD status doesn't always go well. It can be hard enough.

Here are some bad reactions:
Distrust: "What? I can't believe you have it"
Unsolicited opinion, Ignorance: "Wow, so you slept with a lot of people or what?"
Fear: "I don't know if I can handle this"
Rejection: “I can’t be with someone who has an STD. Sorry".

If you have experienced any of these reactions after confessing, then you are probably feeling awkward, sad, and disappointed. And these feelings are absolutely valid.
Here's what you can say to your partner.
If he says, "Wow, that must be because you've had so many sex!" You can answer like this: "In fact, you can get herpes / HPV / HIV from one partner." If you want to point out slut shaming in a partner's words, you can say: “Your comment is deliberate and false. It doesn't matter if I had sex with several people or with one.

If you feel too many emotions to speak or do not want to speak at all, then there is no need for this, you are not obliged to explain anything. You can talk to him or write to him later if you want (He can do the same after he has digested the information).

After a bad conversation, it's important to take care of yourself. And remember that someone's negative reaction characterizes from the bad side only the one who expressed it, and not you and your illness. It's only his fault, not yours. It's a person's character, not your sexually transmitted diseases.

One of my best conversations went like this:
- So, I have herpes. If you want to ask something, then ask.
-Oh really? I mean, it doesn't change anything about how I feel about you.
- Well, that's good, because it shouldn't change.
He later admired my self-confidence.

If you have an incurable disease, such as herpes (oral and/or genital), HIV, any type of HPV, or vice versa, it is being treated, such as chlamydia, and therefore you are in the process of treatment (but you can still infect your partner), and you are going to have sex, then you need to tell your partner about the disease, all partners before sexual contact, if there is a possibility of transmitting the disease to them. Practicing safe sex is very important, but nothing can guarantee 100% protection, so you should always warn your partner. This can get tricky, so below are my when, where, and why in case you have to talk about your condition with a partner.

When?
This point can be difficult. There are times that are completely inappropriate for discussing your STD status. But the most important thing is to do this BEFORE sexual contact or any sexual practices during which the partner may become infected. If you have oral herpes, then you need to talk about it before the kiss. If you have genital herpes, HIV or HPV, then before any kind of sex (fingering, oral sex, vaginal sex, anal sex). That's why it's important to get tested for STDs regularly.

The conversation should take place in a comfortable and safe environment. Especially if you're not sure how it will go. If you feel anxiety, then it is better to postpone it until better times and talk when you feel confident and relaxed.

So when can you start a conversation? I have had several cases.
I talked about herpes via text message when the topic of sex came up: “By the way, I have herpes. And I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have." I personally started the conversation with: “Let's talk about health in sexual life. Have you ever had an STD, or do you have one now?” I prefer such conversations in person, because it is important for me to see the reaction of a partner. It doesn't matter when you decide to talk. I had cases, both on the first date and on the fifteenth. It depends on how you will feel in the intended situation (and on how soon you will have sex). Someone wants to experience this moment as quickly as possible, while someone prefers to wait. Either path is good if you are confident in yourself and your safety, the safety of your partner (you must be sure that you are going to practice safe sex). There were several times when I was ready to talk about my illness at the first meeting. For example, once a man joked about herpes, then about AIDS. I could have let that joke die, or I could have laughed along with him. But I didn't feel detached or pressured. I don’t remember how the joke started, but it ended like this: “…and that’s how you get something, just like herpes. “I felt free and comfortable enough to tell him right here and now. I said, "That's not funny because I have herpes and it's not such a big deal." He apologized endlessly. And then we had sex.

Where?
I spoke about my illness in several places: in the car, in my apartment, in someone else's apartment, on the phone and via text message. The most important thing is that you feel safe. Ideally, you should be able to end the conversation and leave if the person becomes aggressive.

For me the most the best place was my apartment. In this way, I could control the space around me. I would be careful in public places like a restaurant, coffeeshop, or bar because I might be embarrassed by people randomly involved in a conversation. You want to express yourself freely, as does your partner. He may have a bunch of questions or, on the contrary, be silent. Either way, it's helpful to have this kind of conversation in a private, calm, and safe environment. Let me remind you once again - to pass at least a smear for STDs is extremely important.

Why?
Some people (even those who promote safe sexual relations!) believe that there is no need to talk about oral herpes or even HPV. However, it is very important for partners to discuss the health and safety aspect of their sex life. First, it is part of an honest relationship. Second, no one should have to face the consequences (STDs) and be held accountable just because a partner chooses not to report their illness. Everyone has the right to be informed about the health status of their partner prior to sexual contact. I got it from my ex partner. He changed me. I didn't have a choice because he hid it from me. And it's an incredibly painful experience. If you and your partner have not informed each other about your health status, then this means that sex will not be fully consensual, because without information about what everyone agrees to, including possible risks, a person cannot give fully informed consent.

I have had several cases where a partner reported her herpes status after I talked about mine. I was glad that he told, but at the same time I was surprised: “Would he have told about it if I had not started a conversation?” This experience taught me the importance of asking questions about sexual health. The partner may not think about your protection. It may be unconscious, or it may be intentional (in any case, this is a big flag). Either way, you can protect yourself by starting a conversation about safe sex. This is important because many STDs don't show symptoms right away, the same HPV.

The only wrong decision you can make about STDs and talking about STDs is not to talk about STDs. This is a difficult topic, but it should be discussed.

The well-known psychologist sexologist Valentin Denisov Melnikov comments:

A very interesting situation is proposed for discussion. After all, sexually transmitted diseases appeared already in the presence of a permanent partner, or things of bygone days? After all, this radically changes everything, because if the question is how to tell a partner that a person has some kind of STD, and they have been in a relationship for a long time, then this STD is received from another. Those. you will have to report not only about the disease, but also about the fact of treason on the side.

So there are a lot of related questions here: how to talk about how he or she caught a sexually transmitted disease while in a relationship. Well, one can admit a semi-fantastic story that these venereal diseases were obtained by accident by household methods not related to sex, in theory this is possible. In practice, this is rather unlikely.

But if the partner did nothing of the kind, and the disease did not appear from sex on the side, then the problem is much simpler. In general, the situation no longer looks problematic. You just need to explain what happened and how, try to do it fairly reliably, because such a story will not cause much faith, and you need to be prepared for this.

If any genital infection, some kind of venereal disease appeared before meeting the current partner, it is highly recommended to urgently undergo treatment. For the duration of the treatment, enjoy the candy-bouquet period. You can, of course, tell your new boyfriend or girlfriend that you are now being treated for gonorrhea, and in a week you will be like a cucumber, and you can have sex, but I think this will inspire and please your partner so much as if you say that you it takes time to test feelings, get to know each other better, and other beautiful words that girls often say.

Should you have sex with a partner who doesn't know you have an STD? Well, that's up to you. Of course, condoms protect against a lot, but you take full responsibility for what can happen. Also, just ask yourself the question: would you be prepared for your partner not to tell you about their sexual health problems that could potentially harm you. Was it nice for you to find out after the fact. Would you take it easy?

Sexual diseases are a delicate thing and concern not only you. You received them from someone else, so take care not to distribute them further. The best way is to get well treated, and then move on to relationships. But every situation has its own characteristics. Therefore, try to contact a psychologist and a sexologist and work out together the most constructive model of behavior in your case. Take care of each other, protect yourself and be sincere with your partners as much as possible and reasonable.

During my pregnancy, the state clinic discovered mycoplasmosis (infection, ppp) in the blood. While waiting for the results of a smear in a paid center for a week, I managed to remember on which toilets in in public places I was sitting and how could it crawl from a one-time seat onto me. It was very scary, because I didn’t know what it was, but this abbreviation “ppp” was terribly scary, although my partner and I were faithful to each other (and you know how jealous they are, swear on blood they won’t believe them). The result is negative, in the state clinic they messed up with the tests. This is why I recommend that everyone get tested for STDs again.

It is strange that you immediately began to blame yourself, not doubting your partner, all the more jealous. I would ask him to also take tests - at least for the sake of prevention. We know these jealous partners.

I would force him to hand over if I had it confirmed. Before that, he had passed on zppp, it was clean. Mostly - this word is always missed. To my shame, I never even thought to talk about herpes with anyone. Knowing he's contagious. Shame on me.

Don't all people have herpes and papilloma virus? More precisely, almost everyone, there is something about 95%, it seems. Somehow unexpectedly, they were classified as STDs. Especially considering that HPV is transmitted by household means, simply by contact with the skin. It would be more logical to warn about it before the first handshake. The venereologist will confirm.

Another question about HPV - how to talk with a partner about this disease, if you know for sure that you did not develop this disease through sexual contact?

HPV (16-22), which causes cervical cancer, is not found in all people, but it can be transmitted not only sexually, but also from mother to daughter.

Often the attitude of the partner to the fact of the presence of the disease depends on this. In addition, the knowledge that there are diseases that are mainly perceived as STDs, but that have other ways of transmission, is also enlightenment for the partner, and helps to more adequately perceive people who are susceptible to these diseases.

I warned partners about genital herpes, and never once, to my surprise, met with a bad or prejudiced attitude. How wonderful you are. It's great that you bring up such important topics!

I recently wanted to get tested for STDs, but you can only donate blood for HIV and syphilis for free. It is terrible that the state does not provide these services for free. I am an unemployed student, and I see no way out. But I know that STDs in men are quite common.

What a hot topic - I have HPV, it was discovered literally at the first examination by a gynecologist, when, of course, I still had no one. It is very embarrassing to talk about this topic, because, according to my feelings, this particular virus is perceived as something disgusting (I think that the same story is with herpes).

Tell me, please, how to tactfully invite your partner to get tested for STDs in the hospital? Words are one thing, someone can lie.

For example, offer to go together and check, type of romance, love, support. Or, like, so I checked, but you don't want to? Speaking of free tests. And they don't do it for chlamydia. And how widespread it is. In Moscow, it seems to me, every third person who is sexually active suffers from chlamydia. And he may not appear for five years!

Every post like this kills me. Any mention of STDs hurts me. I don't know who to write this to, I'm desperate. I hate myself. I was raped by a friend more than a year ago and infected with HPV and ureaplasma. Everywhere I see absolutely contradictory information: sometimes it is treated, sometimes it is not treated. I was treated with an expensive drug, but one gynecologist said that I was most likely scammed for money. I went to the venereal dispensary, also to no avail. I can't live like this anymore. I never wanted sex. My hands are scarred that won't go away. Every day I wake up with this memory, I feel it. And at night I roar. I have cystitis that does not go away, it happens every day, it does not allow me to live normally. I do not know what to do. I don’t live in my hometown, it’s only possible to go to the hospital at the university, but that gynecologist only takes money and cannot say anything intelligible. Please, I don't know what to do. I don't want to die or suffer because of this bastard all my life! Forgive me for saying this so incoherently...

They checked for oncogenic and non-oncogenic HPV in the St. Petersburg Ott clinic, they found both. The gynecologist stated that they would treat me, prescribed, among other things, a certain drug, which I supposedly should take at a dose four times higher than the one-time maximum dosage. When I tried to clarify whether it is true that the papilloma virus is not treated, and only the consequences are stopped - or is it still being treated - I interrupted without listening to the end, said: “We’ll do an analysis after treatment, and if it’s not found, then it’s not there! He either is or he isn't!" That is, she did not even understand what she was being asked about. As a result, I did not understand anything, according to some data - it is not treated, according to others - it is treated, but not all types. From now on, gynecology is only by recommendation! And STD prevention through safe sex. So, I was just going to hellishly jerk my immunity up so that the body itself processed the virus. So what kind of faith prevented her from explaining this right away? Thank you!

Hello, I understand how difficult it is with everyday cystitis, I sympathize with you very much. Have you only talked to a gynecologist about this? Have you tried going to the urologist? If not, I would advise you to go to him, but it is unlikely that you will find a qualified specialist, unfortunately I did not succeed, I passed the test to the laboratory and was cured only with the help of pills, even an expensive drug did not help, perhaps a gynecologist, to which you go to is also not one, if you can still find the strength to find good specialists, you may be able to at least reduce everyday cystitis. Well, describe your complaints to the doctor in more detail, all of a sudden these are symptoms of venereal byak, which in standard analysis are not shown.

For the questioner - HPV 100% is not curable. That is, the symptoms and consequences are really removed, but the virus itself will "doze" in the body until the right moment. Just like thrush, most of the population has its pathogens, but many do not even know about it until immunity drops and it does not come out.

By the way, about cystitis - I also encountered such a problem - constant "leaks", urge to go to the toilet, etc. I turned to a gynecologist, but because there was no money to analyze each pathogen, she offered me a comprehensive treatment of pills + suppositories + gynecological fees + immunomodulators - and it worked! The next analysis after treatment was as clear as a girl's! Therefore, I sincerely wish those who have problems to find themselves the same good and experienced doctor!

We have been like this for a long time. Free of charge in the LCD only examination, cytology (and even without your consent and mandatory), and three indicators - candida, chlamydia and ureaplasma. Hidden for a fee, hormones for a fee, additional indicators for a fee. And the treatment of STDs in general costs a lot of money.

I have been to two urologists. Mine, unfortunately, died and there is no one else to turn to. They shrug, sent to the gynecologist for treatment.

I am offended that Muscovites can get tested for the main STDs for free, while everyone else cannot do this either at their place of residence or at their place of registration. As if in different countries live! And in the LCD, they only took an analysis from me for cytology. The rest is paid.

We have the same way. For St. Petersburg, a lot of things are included in the CHI, and our territorial CHI program covers little. I try to go through VHI, but then another question arises - I want to see my doctor, who has known me for many years, before giving birth, after giving birth, after surgery, etc., knows my body better than me, but I have to go to the other because they do not pay under the policy. This means explaining everything for the hundred and first time, dragging all the documents on hand, telling a hundred times what my doctor has known for a long time inside and out, getting used to a new person, I think that embarrassment is a normal reaction?

Treatment for ureaplasma involves antibiotics. And antibiotic treatment can knock down the microflora and cause cystitis. Explore again. But! from another gynecologist. Ureaplasma is treated, and HPV is a virus in general, and it is perfectly suppressed by the immune system. Therefore - change the doctor, be like a psychiatrist and a psychologist, and everything will work out. With cystitis - to the urologist! The gynecologist does not fumble in that.

And the former goat infected me with something. I was treated, and now everything is back. Although this freak brought a certificate that he was not sick with anything (campaign, fake). I had bacterial vaginosis, cystitis and candidiasis. It took 10 thousand for treatment. And now I have an almost constant burning sensation in the vagina, urethra and anus, and even white mucous discharge is sometimes curdled. Who can say what it could be? There is no money to go to the doctor. I beg you, help me, I have been suffering for six months now. A smear for STDs, which is standard, does not give anything.

I also had a bunch of ureaplasmosis + cystitis as a consequence. She was treated for a long time, with antibiotics and suppositories, but in the end she was cured. For the treatment of cystitis, natural remedies are also good - herbal preparations, cranberry fruit drinks, etc. As a result of all this (probably), I was later diagnosed with cervical dysplasia, I don’t remember if it was mild or moderate. Just in case, I decided to agree to burning the affected cells with a laser. It took a lot of money for the treatment, but now it feels like everything is in order.

I also went to the urologist at one time, but the treatment did not help. Have you submitted your urine to a lab for analysis? If you passed a general urine test, was it bad? If yes, then there are laboratories to which you donate urine, and they analyze the microbes that are contained in the urine (it takes about 1-2 weeks to wait, maybe less, I don’t remember exactly), but there is a charge to donate (it cost me 3 thousand ), after a urine test, they give out a sheet where it is written what the microbes were vulnerable to, I searched this list for pills to which the microbes had this vulnerability, and this was the only way I managed to get rid of it). If you often take pills that help you, but temporarily, then the microbes have become addictive, if you haven’t given up or are going to, then it’s better to stop using such drugs and try something else that will be on the list. Get your venereal test done again.

This is a very good article, thanks! I think good tone do a joint analysis for STDs before starting a relationship. Maybe, at first, such a proposal of mine causes embarrassment, but you need to keep your feet on the ground, and not live in the world of pink ponies, where "normal people" of course "cannot" have such diseases, because they are "normal".
There is, however, a moment with which I do not agree - if a person does not want to continue the relationship after receiving certain information, and expresses it in the correct form, then he is well done and has the right to do so. Be that as it may, after the completion of this relationship, or even during, he possible disease it will turn out to be one on one, and it will hit precisely on his health, no matter what support comes from the partner. The article sounds like the only correct response is to quit and move on with the relationship, "because that shouldn't change anything." But this presentation is wrong. A person who has abandoned a relationship with a carrier of the virus also feels not so hot. It is also hard for him to say “no” and then experience a feeling of his own weakness and guilt. Therefore, I repeat, as long as he is correct in his phrases and expressions, and is not engaged in the dissemination of someone else's personal information, or something else sabotage - he has the right to refuse and leave, and this too a good option. Perhaps sexual infections will become an indicator of your relationship.

In 2015, I went to donate blood for hormones (the weight of the pen is incredibly, there was not enough iodine). There was a man in line in front of me. When he entered the laboratory, I was surprised at the beauty (well, not cheap) of his Panamera. I was waiting for the cost of the analysis to be calculated for me, and he had already come for the result. And the talking head at the reception told him that in connection with a positive analysis, he needed to go to an infectious disease specialist. He asked: "Do I have jaundice?". To which the talking head replied that hepatitis B and C are not jaundice. So the doctors are right when they say that the diagnosis of sexual diseases by appearance- it's a failure!

If you have an OMS policy, you have every right to apply to any free medical institution in Russia. those. to any antenatal clinic at the actual place of residence, and not at the registration. no temporary registration is required. you have no right to refuse!!! you can also ask for help from a psychologist at a women's consultation. admission, examination, tests and the consultation itself are free. All this applies to state clinics. Health to you.

There is such a right, but it is not always possible to implement it. Each region has its own rules, for example, we have admission to the LCD on coupons, which are very difficult to take, having a policy and all rights, you can unsuccessfully try to get a coupon for two weeks or a month. She herself went through this and began to go to private clinics, although the doctors in the LCD are good, but the inability to get there when it hurts makes this right somehow not very accessible. That is why venereal diseases are skipped already at the time of diagnosis.

Was this information helpful to you?

If you think you are infected infectious disease sexually transmitted disease ... or your current or former partner told you that he is sick with just such a disease. Yeah ... this is one of the most unpleasant situations associated with sex, both morally and physically.

The very first thing to do is... contact your doctor or infectious disease specialist immediately. The purpose of your visit is to make sure that you have either contracted an infectious disease or not. If it turns out that you are sick with some serious illness, then establishing an accurate diagnosis on early stage its development will help you heal faster.

DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES, SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED

When you turn to the dispensary for help, you can count on the understanding and tact of the staff. Remember, these people meet daily with big amount visitors from different walks of life and lifestyles. In most cases, having symptoms does not mean you have contracted an infectious disease. For example, in women it may be a vaginal infection such as cystitis. At the dispensary, you will have to take a urine test, blood test, and genital swabs. Sometimes the diagnosis can be made immediately, and sometimes it takes several days to receive the results of the tests. After your tests are ready, the doctor will prescribe a course of treatment. Some of the most common infectious diseases are treated with antibiotics. As a rule, after the end of the course of treatment, the doctor asks you to come again to make sure that the disease is completely cured.

Everything that you tell the doctor in the dispensary is confidential information that is not subject to disclosure. The main task of the staff of such dispensaries is to stop the spread of the disease. The dispensary may ask you for the names (name) and addresses (address) of your sexual partners (partner) in order to contact them later and prescribe a course of treatment for them. However, while dispensary staff are supposed to identify people who have contracted infectious diseases, they cannot pressure you into giving names and addresses. This can only be done with your consent. When contacting the people you named, staff should not disclose your name.

During the course of treatment, you must refrain from sexual contact with your partner in order, on the one hand, not to infect your partner, and on the other hand, not to re-infect yourself. To completely get rid of the disease, it is necessary to complete the course of treatment even if the symptoms of the disease quickly disappear. In order to make sure of a complete recovery, you will again have to pay a visit to the doctor.

If you think you have contracted the HIV virus that causes AIDS, then your doctor must decide whether you should be tested for AIDS. Such analyzes are also carried out in dispensaries. The result of the test (positive or negative) you should show the doctor, who will put it in your medical record. This is done so that, for example, when applying for a job or taking out insurance, you can use the materials from your card. However, the result of the analysis that you will be given at the dispensary remains confidential.

If you have contracted a sexually transmitted infection - TELL YOUR PARTNER!

Like it or not, in the event of contracting an infectious disease, you must make your regular sexual partner aware of this unfortunate fact. The mere fact that you contracted such a disease does not yet indicate that your partner is unfaithful. Remember that you could become infected even earlier and the disease could go unnoticed by you for a long time. Of course, in exceptional cases, you should tell both your current partner and your former sexual partners about your illness. You should talk to them about this confidentially and only so that they, too, can be checked by a doctor. And such a step is not far-fetched, because here we are talking not just about responsibility, but about the life of another person. And this means that, with a few exceptions, you should still open up to your current partner and former partners so that they also go to the doctor.

Of course, talking with a partner or ex-partner about this topic is not the most pleasant experience. However, when talking, do not try to blame your partner. In such cases, it is best to talk only about the consequences, which will cause both you and your partner less harm as a result. Remember that when you tell your partner news of this kind, you do it not to tell him bad news, but for his own good, namely, to help him stay healthy. You must take this situation seriously. By the way, dispensary staff may also recommend that you talk to your partner on your own.

To be honest, the best thing in life is to have one permanent sexual partner. If you do contract an infectious disease on the side, then remember that you will almost certainly pass it on to your regular partner. Therefore, in a conversation with him, try to remain honest just so as not to spoil the existing relationship.

The most common sexually transmitted diseases

The reason for the appearance of such diseases is microscopic organisms: bacteria, viruses, fungi ... and other protozoa

• Genital herpes, Papilloma, Hepatitis B - viral infections
• Gardnerella, Fungal diseases, Trichomoniasis - yeast fungi and protozoa.

Larger microorganisms, such as pubic louse and ticks, are transmitted not only through sexual contact, but also in other ways.

All these diseases are successfully cured. However, it should be noted that the disease will not cause irreparable damage to your body only if you do not start it.

No one will talk about this topic on a first date. However, even after two months life together not many newlyweds venture on revelations. Neither partner wants to talk to each other about sexually transmitted diseases. But it's even harder to hear the "verdict" in the doctor's office. According to statistics, several tens of millions of new cases of STDs are registered annually in developed countries. Approximately half of these cases occur in young people between the ages of 15 and 24. Next, we will tell you about STD facts that you might not know.

The disease may be asymptomatic

Most sexually transmitted diseases are asymptomatic. However, the infection has already made its way into your body, and it will not leave until you pass the appropriate tests and conduct a course of treatment. Ironically, if you don't know you have a medical condition, you don't worry about safe sex. And that means you endanger all your potential sexual partners. The most common asymptomatic infections are chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Sometimes there is swelling in the genital area.

When a person's body encounters an infection, it activates all its forces to fight it. This difficult task, given that you are in the dark and are not going to be treated. But your body is forced to work non-stop. It creates more cells to fight off the invader, and this, in turn, causes the lymph nodes to swell. This can be seen during a cold. Your neck becomes covered with lymph nodes, making swallowing even more difficult. By the same principle, the body tries to expel the infection from the genital area. STDs can cause tumors in the groin (in both sexes) and swollen testicles in men, experts warn. Especially dangerous are chlamydia and gonorrhea, which can cause epididymitis and orchitis.

If a sexually transmitted disease causes symptoms, they are often mild (like a cold or the flu, for example). For example, in this way HIV makes itself felt. Before an infected person notices other symptoms, they will go through a fever, sore throat, and rash. If a woman "caught" genital herpes, this may make itself felt with pain in the abdomen. As you can imagine, this symptom is too common to be mistaken for gastritis or gallbladder problems. Chlamydia in men does not cause any symptoms. But gonorrhea, which has entered the body through oral sex, causes sore throats.

STDs can lead to blindness

This complication can surprise even medical professionals. And although most often STIs affect the functions of the reproductive sphere, the eyes can also suffer. For example, chlamydia can cause blindness.

These diseases are transmitted even if there are no symptoms

Of course, symptoms such as genital herpes, sores and blisters should be a red flag for you when it comes to sexual intercourse. But even if your partner has no symptoms at all, you can get the infection through unprotected sex. If we talk about herpes, then infection is also possible through bodily contact, because foci of inflammation can occur not only in the genital area. The only way to know for sure about the presence of an STD is through tests. This is the only way you and your partner can make sure that there are no infections in the body. You should not delay going to the doctor, because when the disease is present in the body for a long time, it can cause various complications.

It can lead to heart disease

Sexually transmitted diseases are very serious and can lead to heart disease. This is another reason why you need to get tested regularly. For example, chlamydia and gonorrhea cause heart valve problems.

STDs can lead to infertility

Sometimes STDs lead to infertility. This is typical for both men and women. Therefore, if you and your partner are planning to have children, you must first be tested. male infertility in this case caused by inflammation of the testicles or scarring of the testicles. The woman is in even greater danger, since the zones of the small and large pelvis are at risk. For example, infections lead to fibrosis (scar formation in the lining of the uterus).

Sexually transmitted infections are more serious for women

Representatives of the beautiful half of humanity can blame their anatomy for this. The vagina leads to the uterus, then the pelvis is threatened. Essentially, the infection has an open path to abdominal cavity. This is why women may experience vaginal bleeding between periods. This means that the infection has entered the vagina or "settled" in the cervix. If the disease has spread to the pelvic organs, sometimes it causes pain in the abdomen or lower back, or leads to constipation.

STDs can cause random symptoms

If we are talking about obvious symptoms of genital infections, then most often we remember about sores or burning during urination. However, some manifestations may come as a complete surprise to you. For example, syphilis is characterized by the presence of non-painful sores and numbness, while herpes causes a tingling sensation in the problem area. In any case, if you notice something strange, it's best to check your suspicions.

Sex can get painful

Since some infections cause warts and sores in the genital area, this can lead to pain during sex. However, this is not the only problem. Ulcers, blisters, or bumps in the penis, vagina, anus, or oral cavity cause burning and itching, which makes painful not only sexual intercourse, but also urination or swallowing.

This problem is more common than you might think.

We have already said that many STDs occur without any symptoms. And this means that people cannot guess about the existence of a problem. In America alone, 19.7 million new cases are recorded each year. The average age of patients is 25 years. This means that one in two sexually active adults is at risk of infection. According to statistics, more than half of people have experienced sexually transmitted infections during their entire lives. Many of them do not know about it for a long time. Why not take care of your health? Regular check-ups and testing will help prevent infection.

STDs increase the risk of developing HIV

We give you some food for thought. The presence of sexually transmitted infections in the body increases the risk of developing the human immunodeficiency virus. The "black list" includes herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these ailments increase the chances of HIV infection by 2-5 times.

STD bacteria have different incubation periods

If you allow casual sex but have never been tested for a sexually transmitted disease in the past, exercise extreme caution. First, get tested and stop having sex for a while. Bacteria and viruses that cause STDs have different incubation periods. To guarantee a 100% test result, some time must pass. Don't go to the hospital the day after casual sex. Too little time has passed, and it is quite possible that the antibodies will not yet be detected.