Sexually transmitted infections can be acquired from oral, anal, or vaginal sex. STIs include HPV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Hepatitis, and HIV. Anyone who has sexual contact can get infected with an STI, but this is a teen topic because half of the STIs in the United States are in people ages 15 to 24.
There’s a ton to know about STI’s, but I want to focus on 3 important things that most teens don’t seem to know about these infections.
1.) Condoms are your best bet for STI protection, but they aren’t perfect. Condoms or other forms of barrier contraception are recommended to protect against STIs. Even so, condoms aren’t perfect and cannot prevent transmission of certain infections, like Herpes, if the affected lesion is in an area not covered by the condom. Additionally, condoms can break of shift during intercourse. For these reasons, regular STI testing is recommended, especially in teens. The recommendation for sexually active girls under the age of 25 is for gonorrhea and chlamydia testing with each new partner
2.) STIs, like Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are treatable with antibiotics, but prolonged and repeat infections can have irreversible negative effects on fertility. When infections, like chlamydia, ascend into higher portions of the reproductive tract, they can cause scarring to the fallopian tubes. Because the fallopian tubes are the passage way for eggs to enter the uterus during fertilization, this can lead to infertility or even ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside of the uterus). This type of infertility is often only overcome with expensive IVF treatments. Furthermore, ectopic pregnancies can require surgical removal of the affected tube or rupture with life-threatening internal bleeding.
3.) It is not good enough for only one partner to get tested and treated. If you find out you have an infection and get treated without letting your partner know, when you have sexual contact with that partner again, you can get reinfected. Honesty with a sexual partner is important for a number of reasons, but it’s also important to prevent prolonged and repeat infections.
Safe sex is the best sex #protectyourself
