In this section we describe the type of infections both common and not
so common that you can get from unprotected sex with a partner.
What
are sexually transmitted diseases?
Sexual
activity often involves getting close to another person. Being close
allows infections present in one person to be passed on to the other.
You can’t
be much closer to someone than, when you are sexually intimate, so it
isn’t surprising if germs can get spread that way.
Anyone
having sex can get a sexually transmitted disease (S.T.D.) from an infected
partner, if they do not use any protection (e.g. condoms).There are
at least 25 different S.T.D.’s which are all spread during sex,
this can mean through vaginal intercourse, oral sex or anal sex.
If left
untreated, S.T.D.’s can cause infertility and permanent damage to your health, therefore early diagnosis and treatment
is very important. If you are worried about having an S.T.D. or are
thinking of having a baby, it would be wise to visit your doctor or
local G.U.M. clinic. Everybody can catch an S.T.D. even if you have
been with your partner for some time, this is not necessarily because
your partner has been unfaithful but because some infections can lie dormant in the body and may not cause symptoms.
GUM clinics
treat all information with total confidentiality and they will not even
tell your doctor you have been there, unless you ask them to. To find
out where your nearest local GUM clinic is visit the following website: FIND YOUR NEAREST GUM CLINIC.
However, we are not liable or in any way responsible
for the content or suitability of any external sites that you reach
from within this site. If you are too embarrassed to attend a
GUM clinic or don't have the time, then you can purchase our home test
which looks for the presence of chlamydia and gonorrhoea, for more information
on this test click
here.
What
can I do to reduce my risk of sexually transmitted diseases?
To avoid
all S.T.D.’s you should get to know new partners before having
sex and always use condoms until you are
certain that neither of you have any infections. Trust is a huge part
of this and usually the only way you will know for sure, is for you
and your partner to be fully tested for all infections. Remember, you
can’t always tell if you or your partner has a sexual infection
as neither of you might have any symptoms.
Explore
other ways of having sex such as kissing, stroking and touching. Use
condoms on sex toys such as vibrators if they are being shared and always
wash the toy between activities. Put a new condom on for each new partner
and activity.
What can I do if I get a sexually transmitted disease?
If spotted
early enough, most S.T.D.’s can be easily treated. Drugs can often
control those that can’t be treated, like H.I.V. You can get a
vaccination to protect against hepatitis A
and B, if you believe you could be at risk of catching the infection.
Condoms
Even in
this day and age many people are still embarrassed about buying condoms,
but they can be now bought in most places and are as easy to buy as
a newspaper. Probably the easiest place to get them is in a pub or nightclub
(most have vending machines in the male and female toilets), however,
do ensure that they have a kite mark as a sign of quality. Condoms are
free from your local G.U.M. clinic and family planning clinic.
When using
condoms always use them correctly, practice at home first if you have
never used one before. Never use any oils or Vaseline™ with male
condoms, as it will damage them. Always check the expiry date, and always
keep a spare supply where they can’t get damaged, by light, heat
or damp.
When opening
a condom, make sure that the foil, fingernails or jewellery do not damage
the fine rubber. Never re-use a condom and never flush them down the
toilet, wrap them in tissue and place them in the bin.
Sex
is a natural and healthy part of life but it does need thought and preparation,
to avoid problems later on.
Related topics
Pregnancy Tests
Abortion Information
STD Tests - Chlamydia
STD Tests - Gonorrhoea
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