5 Common STDs and How to Prevent Them

Millions of Americans are diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) every year, according to data from the CDC. While most STDs can be effectively treated, some cannot. That’s why preventing infection is preferable.

At Adult and Pediatric Urology, Alfred Shtainer, MD, FACS, diagnoses STDs using the most accurate methods of detection, including rapid, same-day results for many common STDs. Let’s look at five of the most common STDs and talk about how to reduce your risk of infection.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a family of more than 100 viruses, and HPV infection is extremely common. In fact, it’s so common thatmost people who are sexually active will become infected at some point. 

Fortunately in most of those cases, the body’s immune system “clears out” the infection before it causes any symptoms. About 10% of viruses go on to cause active infections — and increase your risk of penile, vaginal, cervical, anal, vulvar, and throat cancers.

HPV infections can occur during anal, vaginal, or oral sex. Fortunately, an HPV vaccine can help prevent infection. The key is to have the vaccine as early as possible — ideally, before becoming sexually active. Even if you’re already sexually active, having the vaccine is still worthwhile.

Gonorrhea

About 650,000 Americans have gonorrhea, a bacterial infection that’s developed resistance to many of the medicines once used to treat it. Like other STDs, gonorrhea causes few symptoms early on, but as it progresses, it can cause issues, such as:

• Pain or discomfort during urination
• Unusual vaginal or rectal bleeding
• Vaginal or rectal discharge

While there are medications that can help eradicate the infection, it’s important to take those medicines exactly as prescribed to destroy the bacteria and avoid developing resistance to therapy.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is about three times as common as gonorrhea, infecting roughly 1.7 million Americans. While it shows few signs in its early stages, as the infection develops, it causes symptoms similar to those associated with gonorrhea.

For women, chlamydia infection can lead to a problem called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a chronic disease that causes ongoing pelvic pain and infertility. Pregnant women with chlamydia can transmit the infection to their infants.

Like most of the STDs on this list, chlamydia responds very well to antibiotic medication. Take the medicine exactly as prescribed even if symptoms disappear. That way, you can ensure the disease is completely treated.

Herpes

Also called herpes simplex virus or HSV, herpes can be divided into two types: HSV-1 which causes oral infections, and HSV-2 which causes genital symptoms. Despite that distinction, there can be a crossover — HSV-1 can infect your genitals, and HSV-2 can cause oral infections.

Herpes causes sores around your mouth or genitals, although some people can be infected without showing any symptoms. That means you can infect someone else — or become infected — even if no sores are visible.

Of all the STDs on this list, herpes is the only STD for which there is currently no cure. However, treatments can help you manage your infection, stay healthy, and prevent infecting others.

Trichomoniasis

Bacteria aren’t the only organisms that can cause STDs. Trichomoniasis is a relatively common STD caused by a parasite. 

While infections may cause no symptoms in men, women may experience a foul-smelling vaginal discharge and vaginal itching or discomfort, along with pain during urination. This infection can also be passed from pregnant women to their babies.

Trichomoniasis can be treated with medication. Because symptoms can be difficult to spot, regular STD testing plays a key role in disease management.

Preventing STD infection

The only way to completely prevent STD infection is to practice abstinence from all sexual activity — which most likely isn’t a practical solution for most people. Fortunately, you can significantly decrease your risk of developing an STD in other ways..

First, it’s important to practice safe sex. Using a barrier method, like an internal or external condom or a dental dam every time you have sex. The CDC offers other tips on its website.

It’s also important to be tested regularly for STDs. If you have an infection, Dr. Shtainer develops a treatment plan to help you get better quickly.

To schedule your STD test or to find out more about STD prevention and treatment, request an appointment online or over the phone at Adult and Pediatric Urology in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, New York, today.