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Myths and Facts About STIs: Here’s The Real Deal
Sex is a fun activity for most people, but it also comes with risks if you're not careful. Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are common conditions that typically occur from unprotected sex with one or multiple partners.
Some STIs go away with treatment, while others are lifelong infections that you must manage. Understanding how to protect yourself from STIs is the best way to keep your body healthy and prevent fertility issues and other problems.
At Calvary Urgent Care, Dr. Joseph Goin and his team offer STD testing to ensure you're on top of your sexual health. Dr. Goin provides urgent and primary care for people in the Humble, Texas community.
Common STIs
Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are conditions that happen from unprotected sex with an infected partner. Unfortunately, they are widespread, with the CDC reporting millions of new infections yearly in the United States.
Many different STIs exist, all of which can lead to serious health issues and fertility complications without treatment. The only way to ensure your sexual health is to take the proper precautions to protect yourself and your partner from STIs.
Various STIs can affect your health and spread quickly. The most prevalent STIs we see include the following:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- HIV/AIDs
- Trichomoniasis
- Syphilis
- HPV
- Herpes
- Scabies
- Genital warts
The scary aspect of STIs is that many of them don't produce symptoms, even in advanced stages. The best way to know if you have an STI is to allow us to test you regularly.
Staying on top of your sexual health by using barrier methods of contraception and discussing your history with your partner are the best ways to avoid STIs.
Myths and facts about STIs
It's essential to know what's true and what's false about STIs when you're sexually active. Believing a myth could cost you significantly, including your overall wellness and reproductive health.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths about STIs. The following are prevalent myths that you may have heard, followed by the facts about sexually transmitted infections:
Myth: All STIs have symptoms
The fact is that some STIs don't produce symptoms, but you can still spread them to sexual partners. It may take days to weeks to notice anything off, at which point you may require more aggressive treatment for you and your partner.
Myth: Only people with multiple partners get STIs
You can get an STI the first time you have sex, even if it's only with one partner. Having sex with someone who has an STI could result in the need for treatment. Without protection, you're at risk of acquiring an STI, even from a single partner.
Myth: Oral sex does not cause STIs
A common myth is that only vaginal and anal sex produce STIs, but that's not true. You can pass herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea through oral sex, vaginal or anal sex, and skin-to-skin contact.
Myth: STIs occur one at a time
The scary truth about STIs is that you can develop multiple diseases by having unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex with someone who has STIs. It's more common in males to have various STIs that are often asymptomatic, which is why testing often is essential.
Myth: All STIs are curable
You can manage just about every STI with the proper treatments, but we may not be able to cure them. For example, gonorrhea and chlamydia require antibiotics for treatment, which usually cures the conditions – but we can't cure HIV and herpes; we can only manage them through suppression medications.
Myth: Only teens and young adults get STIs
The truth about this myth is that anyone sexually active can have an STI. That goes for teens, young adults, and even older adults who don't protect themselves using condoms and other safe sex practices.
Myth: STIs do not affect fertility
STIs affect fertility, especially in women. Some women with fertility issues may have problems conceiving due to untreated gonorrhea or chlamydia infections. Pelvic inflammatory disease is a serious issue that happens from untreated STIs in females, which affects a woman's ability to get pregnant.
If you have an STI and need quick and accurate testing, call Calvary Urgent Care today to schedule an appointment or request a consultation on our website.