Sexually transmitted infections are unfortunately very common, especially among young people but also increasingly among older populations too. Here are some of the most common that infect millions of people every year across the globe:
This is one of the most commonly transmitted diseases and can often come with no symptoms whatsoever, making it difficult to stop the spread. The best way to avoid any infection is to practice safe sex. When chlamydia is left untreated, it can cause reproductive problems in women so even if you have no symptoms, a simple test can help you seek treatment. Treatment involves a course of antibiotics. To find out if you might have contracted chlamydia, consider Home StI kits Bexley from a site like https://www.checkurself.org.uk/plus/home_sti_kits
Gonorrhea
This is another common STI that can cause problems in the genitals, rectum and throat. It is spread through vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who is infected. As with chlamydia, there might be no symptoms but left, can lead to serious health problems. Symptoms might include burning on urination, genital discharge, bleeding between periods and swollen testicles. Thankfully, as with chlamydia, gonorrhea can be cured with a course of antibiotics.
Genital Herpes
Again, knowing that you have genital herpes isn’t always easy to spot as symptoms might not always be present. There are two strains of the virus that cause infection and these are herpes simplex virus 1 and herpes simplex virus 2 and you could contract either or both. HS1 causes cold sores but can be spread via oral sex. HS2 is spread through sexual intercourse. The infection can result in painful sores that eventually turn into blisters and while there is no cure, there are treatments available to shorten the infection time and lessen the symptoms.
HPV is another extremely common STI to the extent that almost everyone who is sexually active will have HPV at some point during their life. The virus has many strains and can be spread through vaginal, oral and anal sexual intercourse. You can get HPV at any point even if you’ve only ever had one sexual partner. Some people may experience genital warts or find out about an infection via an abnormal cervical smear test result. There is no cure but for most, the infection will go away on its own. There are treatments available for genital warts and a vaccine now available to help prevent cancer as a result of an HPV infection.
Trichomoniasis
This infection is caused by a parasite but is very common and very easily treated with medication. There may be little to no symptoms but if symptoms do occur, they include itching, burning and pain when urinating, genital discharge and discomfort during sex. This infection can be experienced repeatedly, so it’s important that all sexual partners are treated at the same time and refrain from activity until the course of medication is completed for all.