Mathilde, Layla, Eléonore, Aurélie

What is an STD?

Definition of an STD

A sexually transmitted disease or venereal disease is an illness that is transmitted between humans by sexual contact, including vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex. The causes of STD's are bacterias, parasites and viruses. There are more than 25 diseases that are transmitted through sexual activity. Some STD's can have severe consequences, especially for women, if not they are not treated correctly and rapidly.

How do we get STD's?

We get them from having non-protected sexual relations with someone who is already contaminated.
An STD can pass from one person to another with differents contacts:

The contact of the vagina's skin and the penis'skin (for Herpes for example)
The contact of both women and men's sexual fluids
The contact of blood with blood or sexual fluid.

Someone can also be contaminated whitout a sexual contact, just by seating on dirty toilets, or touching himself with dirty hands.

How do we know we have an STD?

A lot of STD's can exist within a person without showing any initial symptoms. Because a person doesn't see any symptoms, he/she may not be aware they are carrying an STD and as they have sexual relations with other people, they spread the STD to that person. That's why it is very important to get an STD test. If all the results are negative then you can be a little more secure in knowing you don't have one. If any come back positive then you can get proper treatment before the STD gets worse. Some STD's may not show any symptoms until they've gone through several phases in your body and are the most damaging to your system. This is why a regular gynecological visit is useful.

What are the different STD's?

There are multiple STDs, with different symptoms and consequences.

AIDS, due to HIV infection:

Human Papillomavirus (HPV):

Genital HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. The virus infects the skin and mucous membranes. There are more than 40 HPV types that can infect the genital areas of men and women, including the skin of the penis, vulva and anus, and the linings of the vagina, cervix, and rectum. You cannot see HPV. Most people who become infected with HPV do not even know they have it. Most people with HPV do not develop symptoms or health problems. But sometimes, certain types of HPV can cause genital warts in men and women. Other HPV types can cause cervical cancer and other less common cancers, such as cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, and penis. Genital HPV is passed on through genital contact, most often during vaginal and anal sex. HPV can cause normal cells on infected skin or mucous membranes to turn abnormal. Most of the time, you cannot see or feel these cell changes. In most cases, the body fights off HPV naturally and the infected cells then go back to normal. A vaccine can now protect females from the four types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers and genital warts. The vaccine is recommended for 11 and 12 year-old girls. It is also recommended for girls and women age 13 through 26 who have not yet been vaccinated or completed the vaccine series. For those who choose to be sexually active, condoms may lower the risk of HPV, if used all the time and the right way. Condoms may also lower the risk of developing HPV-related diseases, such as genital warts and cervical cancer.

Hepatitis:

Gonorrhea:

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease which is caused by a bacterium. Gonorrhea is transmitted through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. Ejaculation does not have to occur for gonorrhea to be transmitted. Any sexually active person can be infected. Symptoms and signs include a burning sensation when urinating. Sometimes men with gonorrhea get painful or swollen testicles. If not treated, gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems. The surest way to avoid transmission of STDs is to abstain from sexual intercourse, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected. Latex condoms can reduce the risk of transmission of gonorrhea.

Chlamydia:

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterium, which can damage reproductive organs. Even though symptoms of chlamydia are usually absent, serious complications that cause damage, including infertility. Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Any sexually active person can be infected with chlamydia. Because the cervix of teenage girls and young women is not fully matured and is probably more susceptible to infection, they are at particularly high risk for infection. Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because about three quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have no symptoms. There are laboratory tests to diagnose chlamydia. Some can be performed on urine, other tests require that a specimen be collected from a site such as the penis or cervix. Chlamydia can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics but if untreated. The surest way to avoid transmission of STDs is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected. Latex male condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of chlamydia.

Trichomoniasis:

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted disease that affects both women and men. Trichomoniasis is the most common curable STD in young, sexually active women. An estimated 7.4 million new cases occur each year. Trichomoniasis is caused by the single-celled protozoan parasite. The vagina is the most common site of infection in women, and the urine canal is the most common site of infection in men. The parasite is sexually transmitted through contact with an infected partner. Some men may temporarily have an irritation inside the penis or slight burning after urination or ejaculation. Some women have signs or symptoms of infection which include a yellow-green vaginal discharge with a strong odor. For both men and women, a health care provider must perform a physical examination and laboratory test to diagnose trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis can usually be cured with prescription drugs. The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected. Latex male condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of trichomoniasis.

Genital Herpes:

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex viruses. Most individuals have no or only minimal signs or symptoms from this infection. When signs do occur, they typically appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. Generally, a person can only get the infection during sexual contact with someone who already has it. Transmission can occur from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not know that he or she is infected. Indeed, most people who have the infection are not aware of it. For people who know they have it, genital herpes frequently causes psychological distress. There is no treatment that can cure herpes, but antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the medication. Correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of genital herpes.

Syphilis:

Syphilis is caused by a bacterial infection and is transmitted by sexual intercourse. A paintful sore or ulcer usually appears at the infection site (often on the penis, vulva or vagina). The best is to see your health care provider for laboratory diagnosis. The treatment includes antibiotic medications. In order to prevent Syphilis, the solution is to avoid having sex until all symptoms are resolved and medications are completed. If the STD is untreated, serious complications may occur.

Crabs:

Crabs, also called pubic lice, are small, wingless insects that infest pubic hair. Everybody can get them, men and women. Crabs are usually spread through sexual contact BUT can also be spread through contaminated clothing and bedding. Itching is one of the main symptom. Medicated creams and shampoos can cure them. To avoid them, latex condoms may be helpful, but only when the infestation is covered or protected by the condom.

What can we do to protect ourselves from an STD?

They are two different ways of protection:

Condoms

Why should I use it:
First, the condoms are widely recommended for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and secondely, they are also use to prevent pregnancy. There are then considered as a very efficient contraceptive method when it's used correctly.
By blocking the exchange of body fluids that might contain infectious agents, latex condoms provide the best protection available against STDs. In fact, the condom has multiple roles:

It avoid the sperm cells to enter in the vagina and then in the utuerus so that they can't fertilize the oocyte.
It also avoid the contact between the genital skin, eventually blood and sexual fluids.

But, we have to be carful and use it corretly. It isn't 100% efficient; it can break for example.