When you are a teenager and new to the world of sex, before indulging you need to understand all the risks. There is much more risk that getting pregnant, and although you will want to avoid having a child at an early age, there are diseases you can catch which can affect your health. Sexually transmitted diseases, commonly known as STDs, can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, and there are various treatments available, although some you cannot cure. Below are some of the common STDs you will want to avoid, and how you can treat them if you do have them.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease, and it is a bacterial infection that affects both males and females, although in different ways. A male can get Urethritis, and this is an infection of the urethra, which is the tube running inside the penis. If left untreated in females, it can affect the reproduction system damaging the uterus or fallopian tubes. You can get an effective chlamydia treatment for men and women, and you will want to visit your doctor and have them prescribe medication for you.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is another common sexually transmitted disease, and you often find it most prevalent in young adults. You can contract gonorrhoea from vaginal, anal, and oral sex, which affects women and men. In men, it can cause a painful discharge when urinating, while in women, it can also cause pain when urinating and bleeding between their periods. You can treat gonorrhoea using antibiotics, but there are strains of the STD that prove resistant to these drugs, and it is getting harder to treat effectively.
Herpes
Herpes is another common STD that affects many people, and it is most common with people between the ages of 14 and 49. It is much more prevalent in females than males, but both sexes can get the disease. The vaginal tissue can tear during intercourse, and it is then when the virus enters the body. In America, it is estimated that herpes affects around one in five women and one in ten men between the ages of 14 ad 49. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for genital herpes, and it can lay dormant in the body for years before an outbreak of sores flares up. There is medication your doctor can give you that will help treat it and reduce the chance of flare-ups, and it may also reduce the likelihood of transmission.
Syphilis
Another common STD that is much easier to treat than Herpes is Syphilis, a bacterial infection. It affects men and women and can affect the genital area, mouth, lips, and anus. Left untreated, it can cause problems, especially for pregnant women, but when you catch it early, it is simple to treat using antibiotics that will clear it up.
These are a few different STDs common for people that teenagers need to be aware of and understand the risks of having sex. However, there are more, and some of them are much worse, so you will want to ensure you know your partner and always wear protection. You can click here to get a complete list of the dangers of having unprotected sex and the diseases you can catch, so you know what you can potentially contract when you start having sex.
