No symptoms, no worry, right? Wrong. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are highly contagious even though you may not be aware you have one.
Don’t be fooled by the lack of noticeable signs. You could be getting an STD or giving one even though you and your partner look and feel perfectly healthy. If you’re unexpectedly pregnant or think you might be, True Care Women’s Resource Center offers no-cost STI/STD testing and treatment for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Trichomoniasis.
How Are STDs Transmitted?
You generally get an STD through sexual contact. Although, you can pass or receive the bacteria, viruses, or parasites that cause sexually transmitted diseases through blood, semen, or vaginal and other bodily fluids.
Who Gets STDs?
Anyone who is sexually active can get an STD. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that half of the new 20 million STDs reported each year are among young people between the ages of 15 and 24, noting that young women’s bodies are biologically more susceptible to STDs.
About 1 in 4 young adults already have an STD. The numbers could be higher because many people have the diseases and aren’t aware of them yet.
These are more recent statistics given by the CDC:
- 21% of all new HIV diagnoses were among young people (aged 13-24)
- Among U.S. high school students, 46% of sexually active students did not use a condom the last time they had sex.
- Studies conducted among adolescents have identified an association between substance use and sexual risk behaviors such as having multiple sex partners, not using a condom, and pregnancy before the age of 15.
- The CDC recommends everyone aged 13-64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine medical care.
- Abstinence from vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse is the only 100% effective way to prevent HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy.
What Are The Symptoms of an STD?
Two of the most common STIs – Chlamydia and Gonorrhea – can be treated with antibiotics. Others, like HPV and HIV, are not curable. If left untreated some STDs can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can cause infertility.
The Mayo Clinic lists these as some of the noticeable symptoms of an STD:
- Sores or bumps on the genitals or in the oral or rectal area
- Painful or burning urination
- Discharge from the penis
- Unusual or odorous vaginal discharge
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Pain during sex
- Lower abdominal pain
- Fever
Free STD Testing and Treatment
If you think you may be pregnant and are considering abortion, schedule an appointment with us today for our confidential services. We provide no-cost testing and treatment of certain STDs as part of your initial pregnancy test appointment.