How to monitor your health for STDs - Out In Jersey
How to monitor your health for STDs - Out In Jersey |
| How to monitor your health for STDs - Out In Jersey Posted: 19 Dec 2020 12:00 AM PST  It might be hard to talk about, but keeping your body safe and healthy from the aggressive encroachment of any sexually transmitted disease (STD), is incredibly important. You may find yourself too shy to approach your doctor or reluctant to ask for advice even from those closest to you about how to monitor your health, but rest assured that you are not alone. You need to learn how to talk about your sexual history and remove any sense of shame or guilt you may feel about it. There are a lot of diseases you may be leaving yourself vulnerable and exposed to if you are reluctant to get the proper advice. While going to see a medical professional will always be the best mode of operation, the following are a few quick tips to help give you an idea of how to be on the lookout for STDs. Get a Blood TestIf you're not feeling any symptoms but still want to get a quick overview to ensure that you don't have anything, then a blood test is the best way to go. Some of the more serious STDs can only be detected this way since you may not be experiencing any overt physical symptoms. One highly recommended way of keeping tabs on your health and ensuring you steer clear of STDs is to get screened before having a new partner. Before engaging in intercourse, be sure that you're both tested for STDs. You can look for most diseases this way, except for genital herpes since that isn't recommended unless you are experiencing some symptoms. While getting a blood test to be screened for STDs is not necessarily a routine part of wellness check-ups, you can request one from your doctor on an annual basis, or definitely before you become sexually active with a new partner. Circumventing a Trip to the ClinicIf you're still queasy about going to get tested at a health clinic, or do not have health insurance, then there are other ways to get the all-important STD test. Thankfully, due to the current technology, it is incredibly convenient to get STD testing online; simply order a test, follow the instructions, and get your results via email. This can also be more convenient for those who need to get a more routine test or are experiencing some physical symptoms and need an answer right away. A mail-in STD test presents an excellent solution, allowing for a democratization of the information needed to keep yourself healthy. However, bear in mind that they may work best to detect diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, as opposed to HIV.
|
| Sexually Transmitted Infections Men: Prevention, Testing and More - Healthline Posted: 27 Nov 2019 12:00 AM PST  Sexually transmitted diseases or infections (STDs or STIs) affect tens of millions of people in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Men, and others with penises, such as pre-op transgender women, may not realize they've acquired an STD, because many have no symptoms. However, that doesn't mean that STDs aren't affecting their health. Not all STDs have symptoms, but when they occur in people with a penis, they can include:
The most common STDs affecting people with a penis include: Chlamydia
Genital herpes
Genital warts and human papillomavirus (HPV)
Read more: Human papillomavirus » Gonorrhea
HIV
Trichomoniasis
STDs can affect anyone who's sexually active, regardless of their age, race, or sexual orientation. However, many STDs are highly preventable. Abstinence is the only foolproof method to protect against STDs. However, by being aware of changes in your body and practicing safer sex, you can protect yourself and your partners. Consistently using condoms and other barrier methods makes transmission less likely. STDs can be transmitted through vaginal, oral, and anal sex. It's important to practice safer sex during all sexual activities. Condoms can be used for vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Dental dams and other barriers can be used for any type of oral sex. Many people believe that oral sex is risk-free. However, numerous STDs can be transmitted during oral sex, including syphilis, herpes, and gonorrhea. Some STDs are transmitted more easily during anal sex. These STDs may be more common in men who have sex with men. No matter your sexual orientation, you should take good care of your sexual health by always having safer sex and being regularly tested for STDs. Regular testing is a good idea if you're not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship. Although safer sex is good at reducing STD transmission, it's not perfect. Regular testing is the best way to take charge of your sexual health. It's important to ask your doctor for STD testing. You may assume that your doctor will screen you for STDs at your annual physical exam, but if you don't ask, you may not be tested. Even if your doctor does test you, you may not be given every test you want — there aren't good screening tests for every STD. Ask your doctor at every physical exactly what you're being tested for and why. If you suspect you have an STD (and you live in the United States), find a testing center near you. Contact them as soon as you can to avoid any long-term effects of a potential STD diagnosis. You should request STD tests at every physical, but you should also visit a testing center anytime you've had unprotected sex (especially if you believe your partner may have an STD). Test results are usually available in a few days to a week. Some may require simple urine samples, but others may require blood tests. Learn more: STD testing: Who should be tested and what's involved » While people with a vagina can get a Pap smear and HPV test, there currently isn't an HPV screening test for those with a penis. Some types of HPV cause no symptoms, while others cause genital warts. Talk with your doctor if you notice any bumps or warts. To determine what STD tests you need, talk to your doctor honestly about your sexual risk. Tell your doctor if you think you might have been exposed to an STD or if you're just coming in for preventive screening. It's also good to mention whether you practice receptive anal sex. Anal sex can put you at risk for certain STDs that require special testing. For example, an anal Pap smear can be used to test for signs of HPV-related anal cancers. Finally, tell your doctor if you reliably practice safer sex for oral, anal, and vaginal sex. This can help your doctor assess your risk. Complications of STDs can be minor, such as inflammation of the eyes and pain in the pelvic region. Other complications can be life threatening or otherwise cause lasting harm, such as:
Treatment for STDs varies based on whether the STD is bacterial or viral. Bacterial STDs, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis, can be treated with antibiotics. These may include metronidazole or tinidazole (for trichomoniasis). Viral STDs, such as herpes, must be treated with antiviral drugs. Sometimes these drugs must be taken daily to keep the condition from breaking out again. This is known as suppressive therapy. HPV cannot be cured completely, but getting vaccinated can help you substantially lower your risk for contracting HPV or an HPV-related STD. A pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) pill can help you avoid getting HIV if your doctor believes you're at risk. The pill consists of two drugs that fight HIV if it enters your body and treat any symptoms or complications. This pill must be taken every day. It can be a successful method of preventing HIV along with other safer sex habits. Sexually transmitted diseases are more common than you might think. Whenever you see any symptoms of an STD or believe you may have a risk for transmission, get tested. See your doctor as soon as possible to avoid any pain or discomfort associated with your symptoms. Be honest with your doctor when describing your sexual history and your symptoms. Talking about your sex life or getting an STD may feel too personal or uncomfortable to share. But learning about an STD early, taking preventive measures, and getting treatment quickly will help prevent long-term consequences that affect your health and allow you to enjoy a healthier sex life.  |
Emergency Testing
| You are subscribed to email updates from "signs of std" - Google News. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States | |
Comments
Post a Comment