As a person with a vagina, I’ve had my fair share of BV infections and yeast infections. When I first found out I had BV (bacterial vaginosis), I did freak out as it was also my first time at a gyno clinic, and I had no prior knowledge about BV. I've seen the commercials on test infection treatments, and my mother had told me, which later on I learned was not true, That yeast infections came from having sex. The sex talk never happened in my household. It was just the plain, “Don’t do it, Don’t get pregnant young,” same ‘ol same ‘ol. After getting told I had BV, I left the campus health center and wanted to yell and scream at my boyfriend at the time. I instantly thought, “he’s cheating,” which later turned out to be true, but that’s a different story/time before I read more into what causes BV, which is just when there are too much bad bacteria in the vagina; BV is not an STI, but it can lead to Chlamydia which is an STI, this led me to google what are some STIs;
So what are STIs?
First left define STI,
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Here is a list of STIs
Human papillomavirus infection
Genital herpes
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
HIV/AIDS
Syphilis
Each STI has its treatments, but not all can be cured.
HPI (human papillomavirus infection)
Treatment depends on the stage: The virus is not cured, and warts may go away alone. The treatment focuses on removing warts. A vaccine that prevents HPV, stairs most likely to cause genital warts, and cervical cancer, is recommended for boys and girls.
The HPV shot is given 3 times. I received my HPV shot, from what I remember, at the age of 15. The shot is pretty painful, but it's worth it in my head.
Genital herpes
This STI might be the most common going around.
It causes itchiness and pain; small sores appear first and can form ulcers and scabs.
It spreads through sex, even kissing. If you have an open cut and someone who has (non-visible bumps) kisses you.
Treatment would be taking an antiviral drug, and this is to manage the outbreaks of the bumps.
I suggest checking your sexual partner before having physical contact but make it SEXY, like when going down under, make it a tease, but in reality, you are checking for bumps. WEAR PROTECTION
Chlamydia
Is a common STD that can cause infection among both men and women
It can have no symptoms, but people may experience pain in the eyes, lower abdomen, pelvis, testicles, or vagina. The pain can happen during sex or when peeing
Treatments are antibiotics therapy for the affected patient and the patient’s sexual partners
TO KNOW if you have this, a doctor has to diagnose it.
HIV/AIDS
damages the immune system and interferes with the body’s ability to fight infection and disease.
Spread through contact with infected blood, semen, or viginal fluid
Sadly, there is no cure, but there are medications that can control the infection and prevent disease progression… the downside is that this medication will be taken for the rest of your life.
When it comes to symptoms, some may get flu-like symptoms 2-4 weeks after getting the virus
Untreated HIV turns into AIDS in about 8-10 years
WEAR PROTECTION to prevent the spread
Be honest with your sexual partners
Syphilis
It’s rare
The symptoms develop in stages
1st: painless sore on the genitals, rectum, or mouth
2nd: a rash
3rd: can result in damage to the brain, nerves, eyes, or heart
Before the final (3rd) stage, there are no symptoms
It can be treated with penicillin, and the sexual partner should also be treated
How does it spread? By having unprotected sex, unclean needles/blood, and by the mother to baby during labor or breastfeeding.
It is hard to know if the person you will/are hooking up with has an STI, so it's always best to USE PROTECTION and have THE conversation with your partner of the night.
by @zillennial.byjazmine
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