Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's)
There are at least 25 different sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including chlamydia, gonorrhoea and genital herpes. STIs are some of the commonest infections around the world and affect people of all ages, races and sexuality. As well as being easy to catch we also know that you're more at risk from HIV if you sleep with someone who's already carrying an STI.
Whether you are straight, gay, bi or transsexual, you need to protect yourself against these infections by using the right type of contraception. And you need to do this until both you and your partner are sure there's no chance of either of you catching or passing on an STI.
Here's a list of some of the more well known STIs:
Chlamydia
Symptoms: In women, this infection often produces no symptoms, but can block the fallopian tubes, causing fertility problems later. You may notice slight discharge or pain on peeing. In men, it often affects the urethra and causes marked symptoms such as discharge or pain on peeing, described as 'non-specific-urethritis' ('NSU').
Treatment: Testing involves a special swab, or urine or blood tests. Treatment is with a specific type of antibiotics, but it can require several courses of tablets. Your sexual partners should be contacted and checked as well.
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Gonorrhoea
Causes: Caused by a bacteria and can affect the vagina, urethra, penis, rectum and even the mouth if you have oral sex.
Symptoms: Women tend to notice a profuse, yellow or greenish watery vaginal discharge and pain on peeing. Men may see a yellowy green discharge from the penis and have pain on peeing. Itching or anal discharge is also possible, though some people get no symptoms at all and carry the infection from one partner to the next.
Treatment: There is a risk of damage to your fallopian tubes, with reduced fertility, if the infection is not treated. If you have gonorrhoea, you should not have sex until you have had swabs done and a course of antibiotic treatment. Your sexual partners should be contacted and checked, too.
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Herpes
Causes: Herpes is a virus (herpes simplex type II) similar to the one that causes cold sores (herpes simplex type I), and is transmitted sexaully. It's possible to spread the infection to the mouth during oral sex and you might get type I infections in the genital area.
Symptoms: It can cause painful cold sore-like spots (ulceration) around the vagina and the penis. As with cold sores, once you've had them the virus stays in your system throughout your life, and could flare up again.
Treatment: There are now anti-viral antibiotics, which can be used to control and reduce a 'flare-up', but they aren't a cure. If you're pregnant, there is a risk of the baby getting a severe and potentially fatal herpes infection, so if you have active ulcers you need to discuss it with your midwife or GP.
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NSU (Non-Specific Urethritis)
Causes: NSU is the term used to describe bacterial infection in the urethra in the penis, and is transmitted during sex.
Symptoms: The main symptoms are usually a clear discharge from the hole at the end of the penis (the entry to the urethra), and it may hurt to pee. You may feel pain or discomfort along the urethra inside the penis and symptoms may be worse in the morning.
Treatment: Any discharge from the penis needs to be checked by a doctor, either your GP or a doctor from a GUM (Genito-Urninary Medicine) clinic, and can be treated using antibiotics.
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Syphilis
Symptoms: It may start with a sore in the vaginal or anal area, or around the genitals in men. Once the initial ulcer heals, it can stay in your system for years.
Treatment: Swabs which are usually used to test for STIs may show nothing, so blood tests are also used in diagnosing Syphilis. Although cases are rare now, this serious infection can cause infertility and affect the heart, blood vessels, skin, bones and brain if left untreated. The infection can be treated with antibiotics and, like other STIs, it is important to contact and test all sexual partners.
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