Safe sex is tied with shielding yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted diseases.
STD can have many symptoms or even no symptoms. This may be the reason they may go unnoticed until the point that complications happen, or a partner is diagnosed. Symptoms that may demonstrate a sexually transmitted disease include:
- Sores or lumps on the genitals or in the oral or rectal area
- Painful urination
- Penis discharge
- Unusual or odd-smelling vaginal discharge
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
Diagnosis
If your sexual history and symptoms recommend that you have a sexually transmitted disease, tests can recognize the cause and identify coinfections you may have contracted. These tests are the following:
- Blood tests, such as HIV or syphilis testing
- Urine samples
- Fluid samples from genital sores
Treatment
Sexually transmitted disease is caused by microorganisms that may be easy to treat. Viral infections can be controlled however not always cured. In case you’re pregnant and have a sexually transmitted disease, immediate treatment can anticipate or decrease the danger of infecting your infant.
Treatment comprises one of the following:
- Antibiotics for bacterial and parasitic infections, including gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and trichomoniasis
- Antiviral drugs
Prevention
One of the best ways you can make sex safer is by using a barrier like:
- condoms
- female condoms
- dental dams
Using barriers will help you avoid contact with fluids and some types of skin-to-skin contact during sex.
