Women’s Health: STD Facts

Men are not the only ones having sex. After all, not all of them prefer men over women. Therefore, it is fitting to discussion women’s health issues related to STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).

Why be Concerned?

The reason the topic of sex and STDs often comes up is because it is a huge issue among women, as well as it is for men. Women’s health depends upon whether or not they are knowledgeable of the risk of STDs especially when related to unsafe sex.

Intro to STDs

Most sexually transmitted diseases are caused by viruses or bacteria. This is spread from one person to another through intercourse or other type of intimate contact.

Some more facts about STDs are presented as follows:

  • There are more than 25 diseases currently transmitted via sexual activity.
  • More than 19 million cases of STDs are diagnosed every year (at least 15 million cases each year in the U.S.)
  • Half of the cases of STDs occur in individuals between the ages of 15 years old and 24 years of age.
  • Over 64 million people live with an incurable STD.
  • More than 40% of people worldwide are infected with the HIV viruse, and 50% of those are women. (Certain regions of the world are hit harder than others, such as African Americans.)
  • Certain STDs are not even prevented while using a condom. HPV (human papillomus virus) that causes genital warts or cervical cancer is one example.

Consequences of STDs

At the very least, it could be a minor annoyance. This is in the case of crabs which itches or bacterial vaginosis which leaves off an unpleasant odor.

At the opposite end of the extreme there is HIV, which is potentially deadly. There are advancements in treatments for this STD but no real cure yet.

Others are more annoying and irritating such as genital herpes or genital warts which essentially there is no known cure. These are more serious than vaginosis or crabs in that they leave visible scars or warts on the skin, particularly in the genital area.

Prevention

One very important aspect of women’s health related to STDs is prevention. You can use a condom but there are other measures that should be taken.

It is common practice these days to be tested before you take on a new sexual partner. If a person refuses to be tested before having sex with you then you can wonder about the person.