STD / STI Information
There are many side effects of sexual activity. Get informed to keep your body and mind healthy.
Basic Info
STDs can be viral or non-viral. STD's / STI’s are infections passed from one person to another during sexual activity such as vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Using a condom doesn’t provide you 100% protection against STDs. Non-viral STDs can be treated and cured if caught in a timely manner. Viral STDs are not curable, meaning they may be with you for life. Many of the symptoms of non-viral STDs may be treatable; however, it is something that you may have to deal with for the long haul.
Your health is important. If you have been sexually active it is important you contact your physician for the proper STD/STI testing.
Get informed about your sexual health.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that nearly 20 million new sexually transmitted infections occur every year in this country, half among young people ages 15-24.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are concerning and often present no current symptoms. If you are sexually active, we can help to refer you and your partner for STD/STI testing. STD testing is quick, easy, and most importantly confidential.
Chlamydia
A bacterial infection transmitted by vaginal, oral or anal sex.
Approximately 80% of women and 40% of men have no symptoms to warn them that they have the infection. Untreated, the infection may lead to PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) in women, which is the leading cause of infertility. Condoms reduce your risk of getting Chlamydia by only 50%.
To learn more: www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm
Gonorrhea
A bacterial infection that is spread through vaginal, oral or anal sex.
Women and men often have no symptoms. If condoms are used correctly every time, they may reduce your risk of getting gonorrhea by 50%.
To learn more: www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea.htm
Herpes
A viral infection transmitted through vaginal, anal, oral or skin to skin contact. There is no cure for herpes—once you have it, you have it for life. Herpes causes painful skin lesions, blisters, ulcers and fissures. Condoms may reduce the risk of contracting herpes by approximately 50%.
There are two types of viral herpes: HSV-Type 1 and HSV-Type 2. Often Type 1 causes fever blisters on the mouth and face and Type 2 affects the genital area. Both may cause infections in either place.
To learn more: www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm
HIV / AIDS
A viral infection with no cure. Condoms have been proven to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by only 85%. It may take up to 6 months for someone with HIV to test positive.
To learn more: www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/index.html
HPV - Human Papillomavirus
A viral infection with over 100 different strains that causes cervical cancer and genital warts.
50-75% of sexually active women will acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. The virus is spread by vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The HPV vaccine protects against up to four strains of the virus that cause 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. However, the vaccine must be given prior to exposure for it to be effective.
To learn more: www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/whatishpv.html
Source: “Sexually Transmitted Infections” 2008 Life Choices Medical Clinic and Resource Center.
Effects of Sexual Activity
Brain Chemicals
Did you know that sex releases certain chemicals in your brain? These chemicals are called hormones and they work to bond the two people together. When you have sex with someone, it’s like gluing two pieces of paper together.
When you try to tear those two pieces of paper apart, the break is not a clean one. The same is true for relationships where the people have been sexually active, one or both people end up getting hurt. If this happens over and over, you can have trouble bonding with someone else later.
Hormones released during sex can also make sex addictive. Once you start having sex with someone, it’s hard to stop. It is also harder to say “no” to sex in future relationships. Waiting for sex lets you build healthy relationships that are not complicated by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unwanted pregnancy, or emotional difficulties.
Emotional Impact
The physical risks of sexual activity outside of marriage are not the whole story. Sex is a powerful and intimate act that affects the emotional and spiritual parts of men and women.
Younger people having sex outside of a marriage relationship report emotional difficulties such as:
- Regret – 2 out of 3 sexually active teens say they wished they had waited to have sex.
- Anger – 1 out of 5 young people ages 15-24 get an STI each year. Often, they experience anger with their partner after contracting the STI.
- Guilt – After sex, young people often feel guilt for letting down people who are close to them. They may also experience guilt directed toward themselves if they had wanted to wait until marriage before having sex.
- Depression – Sexually active teen girls are more likely to feel depressed than girls who have remained abstinent. They are also far more likely to think about or attempt suicide.
Source: https://carenetfrederick.org/its-just-sex-right/ “It’s just sex, right?” The emotional impact of early sexual activity. 2007 The Medical Institute brochure.