Sexually transmitted infections are the hoard of problems that your sex education class warned you about. But the increase in the rate of infections is an indicator of how few people pay heed to these warnings.
What are STIs?
Sexually transmitted infections are caused due to viruses that are passed from one person to another through sexual intercourse. There are a wide range of STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, herpes, syphilis, etc.
Some other infections can also be transmitted from one person to another during sex. These include hepatitis A, B, C, HPV, etc. Alongside the obvious health implications due to the infection, STIs also carry other complications like infertility, pregnancy issues, and problems with the fetus.
Therefore, it is imperative that you visit a specialist like Best Sexologist in Lahore if you suspect a case of STIs, or when your partner is diagnosed with a case of venereal disease.
What are the risk factors?
There are many things that can increase your chances of STIs, and these need to be remedied to curb the risk of these possibly terminal infections. Some risk factors to be wary of include:
History of STIs
You cannot shake off your past, and it is true for STIs as well. Having a history of sexually transmitted infection increases the risk of a future episode.
Unprotected sex
It is not just the unwanted pregnancy that should make you cautious about sex, but unwanted infection as well. Therefore, always practice safe sex. Use condoms as a primary contraceptive, as they help in curtailing the risk of both.
Moreover, it is also important to correctly use a condom; improper and inconsistent use still carries the risk of an STI.
Promiscuity
Having multiple partners, especially when you are not discriminant about your choices, also increases the chance of STIs.
Intoxication
While not directly a risk factor, being intoxicated or drugged can impair rational thought. Since these encourage frisky behavior, therefore, the danger of unprotected sex runs higher in such circumstances.
What are the symptoms?
Recognizing the symptoms of STI is crucial to not only improve your prognosis but also to prevent passing the infection onto others. It is also possible that people do not experience any symptoms of the infection, and it only becomes apparent when things become complicated.
Some commonly observed symptoms of sexually transmitted infections include warts, sores, growths or bumps in the genital region, including the anus. Urination also becomes painful due to the infection.
STIs also cause unusual discharge from the penis or anus. Women may also have unusual bleeding from their vaginas. Some also have odd-smelling discharge from their vagina. Moreover, itching in the groin is also a common symptom of STIs.
People might also have swollen lymph nodes, mostly in the groin, but may also be present otherwise in the body, as the infection triggers an immune response. There may also be a rash on the back, hands, or feet.
Taking STIs seriously
It is pertinent that considering the increasing cases of STIs, all sexually active people exercise caution. STIs are dangerous when they manifest in the body, but even more alarming when they do not present symptoms at all, during which the virus quietly wreaks havoc on the body.
Complications of STIs include pain in the pelvic region heart disease, PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), arthritis, eye inflammation, etc. Extreme cases may also lead to cervical and rectal cancer.
Thus, never take your sexual health lightly. Make sure that your passion does not get in the way of your health.
Before starting off a new relationship, get yourself and your partner tested. Seek counsel from the Best Sexologist in Karachi with regards to best sex practices, so you and your partner are safe!
