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STD Information
What are STDs and STIs?
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections. They are spread through any form of sexual contact including vaginal intercourse, anal sex, oral sex and, on rare occasions, mutual masturbation.
Preventing STDs and STIs
The only way to protect yourself entirely from STDs and STIs is to abstain from sexual activity with other people. This includes close bodily contact as well as vaginal, anal and oral sex. However, abstinence is not always an attractive or practical option, so there are other recommendations that will help you avoid contracting an infection or disease.
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The most common advice is to always wear a condom. This is extremely effective, when used properly, in preventing the spread of STDs such as HIV and gonorrhoea. When used consistently, condoms prevent the spread of HIV from an infected person to their partner in up to 95 percent of cases.
However, contrary to what some people believe, condoms do not prevent the spread of all sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Condoms are not so useful for preventing herpes, for example, and they offer little resistance against HPV, ( the cause of genital warts).
The best way of minimising the risk of contracting an STD is being in a monogamous relationship, especially if both partners visit a GUM clinic to be tested for STDs before dispensing with the use of condoms. Outside a monogamous relationship, the best advice is to use protection during sex and regularly get tested for STDs. Most STDs do not cause serious problems if they are caught and treated early on.
What are the symptoms of STDs (female)?
Please read the individual articles on this site for in depth information on signs of each STD. In general, women with an STD may experience:
• unusual vaginal discharge
• itching
• discomfort when urinating
• unexpected bleeding, for instance in between periods or after intercourse
STDs are often asymptomatic.
What are the symptoms of STDs (male)?
Please read the individual articles on this site for in depth information on signs of each STD. In general, men with an STD may experience:
• unusual discharge from the head of the penis
• swollen or sore testicles
• itching
• discomfort when urinating
It is common for a person with an STD to experience no symptoms.
How to get tested for STDs and STIs
There are several places where people can get a test for STDs:
• Clinics for family planning
• Your GP's surgery
• GUM clinics
• Antenatal clinics - Pregnant women are automatically tested for STDs as part of their routine blood tests. This is because some infections can put women at risk of complications, such as miscarriage, or can be passed onto the baby at birth.
• Home STD tests – some clinics will provide you with a self test kit which you can do at home. There are also websites which will send you the test. Self test kits do not give instant results – the swab or urine sample will need to be sent to lab for analysis.
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