About

STDs are widespread—19 million new cases are diagnosed every year—with over 20 different varieties. STDs often have no early symptoms, meaning they can unknowingly be passed on to a partner.

FYI

Your sex life changes as you age

As you get older your sex life will change. You may not respond to sexual stimulation as quickly as you once did. You may lose your erection after sex sooner and it may take longer for you to get another erection. But none of this means that you can’t have an active sex life. The key is to keep it going. Without regular workouts, your sexual muscles will get weaker. So you can help combat this natural occurrence with exercise to help maintain your sexual strength. As men, having a positive self-image is a very important part of our sex life. But the two are connected in a kind of loop: the more attractive and desirable we feel, the better we’ll perform. At the same time, the better we perform sexually, the more attractive and desirable we feel. For this reason, do not hesitate to discuss any sexual related problems with your health care provider as most conditions are easily treatable.

Symptoms

Here are some of the most common STDs, their symptoms, and how to prevent them. If you suspect that you are infected, see your healthcare provider immediately and tell your partner so she or he can get checked as well.

• Chlamydia is the most common STD in the US. Thirty percent of women who get it and are not treated become sterile and are unable to have children. It can also cause sterility in men. About three-quarters of infected women and about one-half of infected men have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within one to three weeks after exposure. Signs are a thin, clear discharge of fluid from the penis and a burning feeling in the penis or scrotum. Chlamydia is easily diagnosed with a urine test and treatments are widely available.
• Gonorrhea is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world. It’s also one of the easiest to cure—as long as it’s caught early. Ignored, it can cause infertility, and spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms can appear two to 30 days after the infection, and include a burning feeling when urinating and a yellowish or greenish discharge from the penis. If the fluid gets into the eyes, it can cause blindness. Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics.
• Syphilis is a serious bacterial infection. Symptoms begin with bumps or sores on the penis, mouth, or anus that last anywhere from one to five weeks. These sores sometimes leak fluid that is highly contagious. Fever, rash, and flu-like symptoms follow. Detected early, syphilis can be treated with antibiotics. But ignored, it can damage the brain, heart and spinal cord—and even cause death.
• Herpes is caused by a virus. Symptoms begin to appear within a week of infection. They start with tingling and itching, followed by small, painful blisters that can appear on the penis, mouth, anus, buttocks or thighs. Herpes can be confirmed by examining a sample from the sores under a microscope. There is no cure and outbreaks can happen several times a year. However, it can be controlled with special anti-viral medication. Herpes can be contagious even when there are no sores present, so if you’re diagnosed, take steps to protect your partner.
• Genital warts are growths or bumps caused by a viral infection. Symptoms are itching and irritation, beginning within a month after infection. The warts appear soon afterwards and they spread quickly. They can be treated with prescription medication or surgically removed. Genital warts can lead to cancer in women.
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) develops from exposure to the HIV virus. The HIV virus lives in body fluids such as semen, breast milk, vaginal secretions, blood, saliva and even tears. AIDS is a fatal disease. But identified early and aggressively treated, HIV can sometimes be kept from developing into AIDS. Drug therapy is the most common treatment.

Prevention

BIRTH CONTROL/CONTRACEPTION

Abstinence (avoiding all sexual contact, including oral sex) is the best way to avoid STDs. But for most people, that is not a practical solution. If you’re sexually active, you should protect yourself and your partner. The best form of protection is a latex condom which can reduce or eliminate becoming infected or spreading an STD. Do not defeat the purpose of the condom by using lubricants like Vaseline which can weaken the condom.

When having sex, there are other things to protect yourself from as well. You and your partner are equally responsible for doing what is necessary to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. Here are a few of the most safe and reliable methods for doing so:

• The pill. When taken as prescribed, birth control pills are nearly 100% effective.
• Implants and injections. A woman can have certain hormones implanted under her skin that are effective for as long as five years. Pregnancy-preventing hormones can also be injected, but they are only effective for three months.
• Condoms. Worn properly and used with a contraceptive foam or jelly, condoms can prevent pregnancy up to 99% of the time.
• Vasectomy. This is a surgical procedure that involves severing the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis. A successful vasectomy is virtually 100% effective in preventing pregnancy, but it won’t protect you against STDs. If you later decide you want children the tubes can be joined again but there is no guarantee of success.
• Patches, pills, injections, and implants for men. While not yet available, they will soon be on the market. Remember, both partners are equally responsible for preventing an unwanted pregnancy. So make sure you and your partner talk about birth control and take the matter seriously.

Questions to Ask Your Health Care Provider

1. What are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
2. What type(s) of STD do I have?
3. I have STD symptoms that come and go. Should I be tested?
4. Should I be tested for HIV/AIDS?
5. When will the results of these diagnostic tests be available? Will someone contact me or should I call for the results of my STD testing?
6. Do you recommend that I avoid sexual activity until my test results are available? If not, what types of precautions can I take to reduce the risk for infecting my sexual partner?
7. Should my partner also be tested for sexually transmitted diseases?
8. Is this infection caused by bacteria, parasites, fungus, or a virus?
9. How is this infection transmitted?
10. Is this sexually transmitted disease treatable? Is it curable?
11. Does having this sexually transmitted disease increase my risk for other health problems, including other STDs?
12. Are there long-term risks or complications associated with this type of sexually transmitted disease? If so, what are these risks?
13. What does treatment for this STD involve? Which medication(s) will be used to treat my condition?
14. What are the benefits, risks, side effects, and possible complications associated with this STD treatment?
15. Should I avoid sexual activity during treatment? If not, what types of precautions can I take to reduce the risk for infecting my sexual partner?
16. How will you determine if treatment is working? Will I undergo additional STD testing?
17. If this STD is not curable, how can I reduce the risk for transmitting the disease to my future sexual partners?
18. What types of sexual activity increase the risk for STDs?

Treatments

There are many STDs and the types of STD treatment will depend on the STD you have and its symptoms. Treatment is discussed between you and your healthcare provider and takes into account your overall physical health. Talk to your healthcare provider about which treatment option is best for you.

Resources

For more information visit:

Centers for Disease Control
NIH Medline Plus