Pregnancy is not the only concerning outcome of unprotected sex. The prevalence of STDs and STIs has risen over the past several years, and are being transmitted from partner to partner quite frequently. STDs are infections transmitted from person to person during sexual contact. However, many of these infections do not cause noticeable symptoms at first.
It is estimated that one in two sexually active young people will get an STD by the age of 25 without realizing it. And while some STDs have cures, some do not, and can leave those infected with lifelong effects.
It is understandable if you are unclear on the difference between STDs and STIs — many people are. However, there is a difference: a disease is only labeled as such if symptoms are present. That means that in order to be classified as an STD, a person must be showing symptoms; if they are not, but have been tested and know they are infected, then they are suffering from an STI.
There are more than 25 different types of sexually transmitted diseases, with wide ranges in terms of severity and symptoms. For example, chlamydia can be treated with simple medication, while HIV/AIDS has no cure.
Pregnant women are just as susceptible to STDs as anyone else. However, having an STD while pregnant can have much more severe health consequences than someone who is not pregnant. Therefore, it is extremely important that you are aware of the harmful effects STDs can have while pregnant, and educate yourself on how to protect yourself from infection.
If you suspect you may have an STD, please contact us today to schedule an appointment, or visit our Find a Center page to find a center nearest you to receive STD information about treatment, prevention and next steps.
You are not alone