When you planned for a hot night under the bedsheets, probably you may not want to think of STDs(Sexually transmitted disease). Even though having sex with your long-time partner can transmit some kinds of diseases. Both men and women can get them. Though you may not be aware of it, you might have an STD.
Some STD’s doesn’t show up any symptoms, you need to get tested to diagnose them. If you have had an STD, you no need to worry all STD can be treated and most of them can be cured.
What Are STDs and How Do They Transmitted?
STD’s – Sexually transmitted diseases are the infections that transfer from one person to the other through oral, anal or vaginal sexual contact. They are also termed as venereal diseases (VD).
They spread through using unsterilized drug needles, blood transfusion and from mother to child during childbirth or breast-feeding. Generally, genitals are moist and warm areas which are ideal for the growth of yeasts, bacteria, and viruses.
These infectious organisms inhabit the skin of the genitals and travel between people through semen, vaginal secretions, or blood during sexual intercourse. The World Health Organization say that every day more than a million new STDs are acquired globally.
Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases In Women
HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
Almost every sexually active individual can have HPV at some point. There are more than fourty different types of HPV which can be spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Some types of HPV don’t show any symptoms and harmless too. Other types of HPV can infect the mouth, throat and can cause genital warts or cervix, penis, mouth, or throat cancer. Vaccines like Cervarix, Gardasil, Gardasil-9 can defend against these cancers.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common STD that spread through vaginal or anal sex or oral sex. It is caused due to bacteria. You can observe symptoms like odd discharge from the vagina and pain or burning sensation when you pee but only in 25% of women you can these symptoms. It can be treated with antibiotics.
Gonorrhoea
It is another type of common bacterial STD. Often, people get it along with chlamydia and symptoms are also similar. It is also treated with antibiotics.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a complicated disease that occurs in four stages. In the first stage, the main symptom is sore that looks like a cut, or ingrown hair, or like a bump. Rashes on your body are the sign of secondary stage followed by sores in your vagina, or anus.
Usually, symptoms disappear in the third stage but last for years or life long. Nearly 15% of people with improper treatment for syphilis might develop the fourth stage. In this last stage, it leads to damage of nerves and other organs.
Herpes
HSV-1 and HSV-2 are the herpes viruses that cause genital herpes. Usually, HSV-2 plays a major role in forming genital herpes. Painful blisters are the main symptom of herpes that happens around and inside the vagina or anus. It transfers easily and can manage it by taking medication.
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is one of the most common STD often seen in women. It is caused due to tiny protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Only 30% of people have noticeable symptoms like foul-smelling vaginal discharge, itching, burning, or sore genitals. It is transferred through sexual contact.
Trichomoniasis can be treated with antibiotics and resolves within days to weeks.
HIV/AIDS
AIDS is the most dangerous STD and it is caused due to the HIV virus. It is transferred through body fluids like blood, semen, fluids from vagina, and breast milk. If you have unprotected vaginal or anal sex with an infected person, or if you share a needle of an infected person you can get it.
Symptoms of HIV can feel like flu, with muscle pains, fatigue and slight fever. You may lose weight or have diarrhoea. You can diagnose it perfectly through saliva or blood test.
HIV virus destroys the immune system and slowly body loses the ability to fight against this virus. AIDS can’t be cured, but powerful drugs can extend the lives of people with HIV/AIDS.