Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Here is a list of sexually transmitted diseases and there symptoms. Remember, many STD’s do not show signs or symptoms. Reports show that up to 80% of people who have an STD don’t even know it. However, if symptoms are present, these are the ones that have been reported.

Chlamydia:

This is the most common bacterial STD that is found in those who are sexually active. It can be treated with a prescription, but if left untreated, it can lead to infertility. This is a dangerous STD because there are often no signs or symptoms, which means that Chlamydia can silently destroy your reproductive organs. If you plan on having children in your future, this STD can possibly prevent that from happening.

Symptoms:

-abnormal vaginal discharge (anything different than what you are used to)

-Burning sensation when urination

-lower abdominal pain

-low back pain

-nausea

-fever

-pain during intercourse

-bleeding between menstrual periods

*Note: Not all of these symptoms have to be present to determine that you have Chlamydia. Remember, there are often NO signs or symptoms.

Please click on this link to find out more about Chlamydia:
http://www.cdc.gov/std/Chlamydia/STDFact-Chlamydia.htm

GENITAL HERPES

This is a sexually transmitted disease which is INCURABLE. Often, there are no symptoms of the virus. However, when symptoms do appear, they will not be hard to miss. Genital Herpes can cause very painful blisters on or around the genitals and rectum. It can take up to 2 to 4 weeks for these sores to heal and breakouts may occur within weeks or months of the first outbreak. This can be very psychologically stressful for those that know they are infected.

Antiviral medication can be prescribed to reduce symptoms but it does not cure the virus. Genital Herpes can be passed even if no sores are present.

Please click on this link to find out more about Genital Herpes:
http://www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm

GONORRHEA

Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus.
This sexually transmitted disease can be cured by a series of antibiotics. However, many men and women do not have signs or symptoms. Therefore, this disease can also cause damage to reproductive organs without knowledge. Many women may mistake Gonorrhea for a bladder or vaginal infection.

When symptoms are present, men may experience a burning sensation while urinating, or a white, yellow, or green discharge. Men may also have painful or swollen testicles.

Women may also experience a burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge, and/or vaginal bleeding in between periods.

Please click on this link for more information on Gonorrhea:
http://www.cdc.gov/std/Gonorrhea/STDFact-gonorrhea.htm#How

HPV:

Please click on this link to find out more about Human Papillomavirus:
http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). 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 (area outside the vagina), 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.

According to numerous national statistics, HPV affects nearly 1 in 2 women.