Sexual Health

Most sexually transmitted infections can be successfully treated with antibiotics.

In this article:

What are different types of sexually transmitted infections?

About HIV/AIDS

Causes of sexually transmitted infections

Diagnosis

Effect on your life

Prevention/Contraceptive methods…

Emergency contraception

Treatment for sexually transmitted infections

How Chemist Online can help

Advice & Support

Different types of sexually transmitted infections
There are numerous types of sexually transmitted infections. The most common (and ‘well-known’) ones are: gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis and genital warts. Below is a brief summary of each condition (with symptoms):

About gonorrhoea: Gonorrhoea is caused by a bacterial infection (the germ gonococcus) usually found in semen or vaginal fluids. The infection is passed on through having sexual intercourse with an infected person.

Symptoms of gonorrhoea in women include:

a pungent, watery vaginal discharge (this can be green or yellow)

a painful burning feeling when passing urine

a feeling of needing to urinate frequently

abdominal pain

pelvic pain

irritation and an itching feeling around the anus

a discharge from the anus

sore throat

conjunctivitis (a discharge from the eye)

Women with gonorrhoea may also experience bleeding between periods and heavier periods than normal.

Symptoms of gonorrhoea in men include:

a painful burning feeling when passing urine

a feeling of needing to urinate frequently

an unusual fluid discharge from the penis (this can be white, green or yellow)

redness at the tip of the penis (at the opening of the urethra)

abdominal pain

irritation and an itching feeling around the anus

a discharge from the anus

painful testicles

an inflamed prostate gland

sore throat

conjunctivitis (a discharge from the eye)

About chlamydia: Chlamydia often has no symptoms, yet it is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK. With chlamydia, a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis develops in the vagina, penis and rectum. This is then passed from one person to another through vaginal fluids and male sperm during unprotected vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex and the sharing of sex toys.

Symptoms of chlamydia in women include:

Pain when urinating (like a burning sensation)

Lower abdomen pain (i.e. In both the pelvic and stomach areas)

An unusual vaginal discharge and also bleeding (particularly after sexual intercourse)

Longer and heavier periods than you would normally have

Pain during sexual intercourse

Symptoms of chlamydia in men include:

Painful and swollen testicles

An unusual milky urethral discharge from the penis

Pain when urinating (like a burning sensation)

An irritating itching feeling in the genital area

Mild irritation at the tip of the penis

About genital warts: For many people, genital warts can be an embarrassing condition. This means that they fail to seek medical treatment. This is a pity as genital warts – unsightly growths of skin around the genital area and sometimes the anus – can be easily treated, with symptoms gradually clearing up in time.

Most commonly occurring in people under 25, genital warts can develop in both men and women.

Symptoms of genital warts include: small, fleshy growths which can appear around the genital and anal areas. Although they are generally painless, they can become itchy and inflamed. This can then lead to bleeding.

About syphilis: Although not a common sexually transmitted disease in the UK, GPs and healthcare professionals at Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) Clinics or Family Planning Clinics still see and treat a number of cases of syphilis each year. Many of these are people who have become infected with the syphilis bacterium called Treponema pallidum when living or travelling overseas.

When you come into bodily contact with a syphilis ulcer, you can become infected too. A number of symptoms then develop which can be unpleasant.

Symptoms of syphilis include:

Initially, a small ulcer on the penis or vagina (or anus). However, if you have become infected with syphilis through oral sex, this ulcer will develop in your mouth. Wherever it appears on your body, it may ooze pus and be painful.

The development of growths (like warts) around the penis, vagina or anus

Lower back pain in women

Fever

Hair loss

Swollen lymph glands

Swollen glands in other areas of the body

Inflammation of the eyes, kidneys and liver

About HIV/AIDS
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a powerful virus that replicates itself and multiplies, despite attempts by the body’s immune system to destroy it.

HIV causes infections which can lead to a range of symptoms, including: swollen glands, fever, muscular and skeletal pain, mouth ulcers and sores, and also problems with the oesophagus (swelling, ulcers, difficulty swallowing...).

Over time, HIV destroys the white cells in the body which are there to fight viruses and bacteria. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) then develops.

AIDS is the latter stage of HIV. It is a life-threatening condition because the immune system has now stopped working.

Symptoms and associated conditions of AIDS include: Pneumonia, tuberculosis, vaginal thrush, thrush in the mouth, and also dementia.

Causes of sexually transmitted infections
Sexually transmitted infections are usually passed on during unprotected penetrative vaginal or anal sex. They can also be spread by oral sex, and also by the sharing of sex aids and vibrators.

Diagnosis
If you are suffering from the aforementioned symptoms (of the various sexually transmitted infections we have looked at in this article), or if you have had sexual intercourse with someone who you suspect may have an infection, it is important to make an appointment to see your GP immediately. Alternatively, you can go to your local Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) Clinic or Family Planning Clinic for tests.

Effect on your life
Most sexually transmitted infections can be successfully treated with prescribed medications (usually antibiotics). However, if left untreated, some infections can have a negative impact upon both female and male fertility. This is why it is important to seek medical help even if you do not have any symptoms, but have had sexual intercourse with someone who you suspect may have the disease.

Prevention/Contraceptive methods…
Contraception is designed with the intention to prevent pregnancy. However, some methods are known as barrier methods. As well as preventing pregnancy, barrier methods are also designed to help prevent the spreading of sexually transmitted infections/diseases.

Condoms are one of the most popular forms of barrier method contraception.

Male condoms: Male condoms are designed to prevent sperm meeting the egg, and also to protect both sexual partners from transmitting or catching a sexual infection.

Male condoms are reliable if used properly and also with a water-based lubricant, such as KY jelly. However, for some men (and women), certain lubricants can cause allergies.

Male condoms are affordable and widely available. In fact, they are free on the NHS.

How they work: Condoms are made of latex or polyurethane. They are designed to slide over the penis, but to grip tightly so that they do not come off or break during penetration. As the man ejaculates, his sperm collects in the tip area of the condom – thus preventing his sperm from meeting the egg.

About female condoms: Condoms for women are also available. Although not quite as effective and reliable as male condoms, female condoms are proven as a barrier method contraception.

Placed high in the vagina – with the outer end or ‘ring’ forming a mouth-shaped opening at the outside of the vagina – female cond

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Keywords: Medicines, Health, Beauty

By: mumsa1i

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