Men and women worldwide acquire more than 1 million new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) every day, and most of them don't have symptoms. Most STDs are curable, but without treatment, they can lead to infertility and other lifelong problems.
Abstaining from sex is the only way to prevent an STD entirely, but there are ways to reduce your risk. Using protection during sex keeps both you and your partner safe, and regular STD testing catches infections early when they’re more treatable.
John Paul Roberts, MD, and his team provide STD testing and other gynecologic treatments at our office in Plano, Texas. Dr. Roberts is an experienced OB/GYN who provides STD testing and treatments for problems with the female reproductive system.
STDs are bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi that pass from person to person during sexual or intimate contact. You can get an STD through anal, vaginal, and oral sex, along with skin-to-skin contact.
Many STDs exist, each with different symptoms and complications. Most are curable, but not all. A few of the most prevalent STDs you may encounter include:
Chlamydia is one of the most prevalent STDs that spreads through sexual contact. It often doesn't produce symptoms but can lead to infertility in women and dangerous ectopic pregnancies without treatment.
HPV is a viral STD with over 100 different types. It spreads by skin-to-skin or sexual contact and may cause genital warts or some forms of cancer. There’s a vaccine that helps protect against the common forms of HPV.
Genital herpes is a chronic viral infection that we can't cure. This STD spreads through oral, vaginal, or anal sexual contact and causes blisters that can be painful. People with genital herpes often go through periods of remission and recurrence.
Gonorrhea is another prevalent STD that doesn't always cause symptoms. Also known as "the clap," gonorrhea is a bacterial STD that may cause pelvic inflammatory disease and other complications without treatment.
Another bacterial STD is syphilis, which has various stages, including primary, tertiary, latent, and secondary. It's a curable STD, although many people aren't aware they have it because the symptoms can be vague.
The only way you can prevent STDs 100% is to abstain from all sexual or intimate contact, but that's not the answer most people want to hear. If you're set on having sex, it's essential you know how to protect yourself from STDs.
Dr. Roberts offers various tips and strategies to keep you and your partner safe during sex. A few of the prevention strategies he provides include:
You and your partner need to use barrier protection each time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Make sure you both know how to put on a condom correctly. You can also use a dental dam to protect yourself during oral sex.
Another way to protect yourself from STDs is to limit the number of people you have sexual contact with. Being in a monogamous relationship in which you both receive STD testing is a surefire way to keep yourself safe from STDs.
Whether you're in a committed relationship or not, it's essential to get STD testing to ensure you're safe. Many people don't have symptoms of STDs, making it difficult to determine if you have a problem.
Dr. Roberts provides STD testing any time you need it, especially when you're with a new partner.
The most crucial aspect of STD prevention is communication. Talk to your partner before having sex to discuss protection and prior testing. It's not always an easy subject to breach, but it's essential for your health and your partner's health.
Unfortunately, there aren't vaccines for all STDs, but there are for some. Talk to Dr. Roberts about protecting yourself against HPV and hepatitis by receiving the appropriate vaccines before sexual contact.
Another important tip is to avoid drugs and alcohol, especially when you're about to have sexual contact. Using these substances increases the risk of STDs due to multiple partners or forgetting to use protection.
Call our office in Plano, Texas, today to schedule an appointment for STD testing. You can also request a consultation using our convenient online booking tool.
