5 things you need to know about the existence of sexually transmitted infection
Is there a buzzkill like sexually transmitted infections?
They can completely destroy a retrospectively one otherwise entertaining and consensual connection, and even take on a less serious can change the way you feel about the person who gave it to you, whether it was a one -night attitude or your many -year -old wife.
While they are far from the end of the world and people who are very sexually active can simply give up to catch some during a well -spent sex life, an ounce of prevention, as they say, is worth a pound of treatment. Using barrier protection methods and/or pre-exposure is your best bet.
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But if this falls and you are suspected or aware that you have caught something, how should you react? In order to get a better sense of how to respond to the conclusion of a Sti, Askmen spoke to some sex experts. Here they have to say:
Tips for sexually transmitted infection
What do you need to do: If you suspect you have a Sti
Whether you have noticed a possible symptom in your body or a partner, you have an immediate revelation of a STI status from someone you sleep or just heard of someone’s condition through the vine, worrying that you may have a sexually transmitted infection is not pleasant.
However, natural push many people just have to ignore warning signs in the hope that they will leave is exactly the opposite of what you need to do if you suspect you have Sti.
“If you suspect you have a Sti, take a breath and don’t panic,” says Dr. Justin Lehmiller, Lovehoney scientific advisor and the researcher of the Kinsey Institute. “STDs are very common. Most are extremely therapeutic and do not need to mean the end of your sexual or romantic life.”
Then he says, the first real step “is to visit a clinic or make an appointment with the healthcare provider to try”.
Even if you think there is a pretty remote chance of catching an infection, there are several reasons not to postpone the test, he says, he says Monica LineA sex -expert and relationship in dating application FlirtationAn LMHC, Aasect-Quiet Gender, Intimacy and Relationship.
For one, by preventing further spread if your partners are sexually linked to other people. For two, preventing the infection from deteriorating by starting a treatment plan as soon as possible.
“Bacterial in chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women and epididymitis in men, which can cause chronic pain and lead to infertility in both,” notes Lynne.
“Viral STIs, such as HPV, HSV and HIV, can also harm the immune system or lead to related cancers and further infections, as well as be able to stay in one’s system for life,” he adds. “Diagnosis and appropriate drugs for the treatment of STDs are essential for the protection of one’s body and health and the fastest are treated less discomfort, pain and damage.”
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An important final step? If you are worried, you may have Sti, “avoid sexual sex while waiting for your test results,” says Lehmiller.
What do you need to do: If you have been diagnosed with STI
As Lehmiller said above, if you try positively, don’t panic.
Despite the best efforts of medical science, the STDs are quite common. People are complicated creatures when it comes to sex, and as much as it is the best practice, we do not always get quite tested quite often. Someone who was a little careless passed something to one person, that person who was a little careless passed it on to someone else, and now you have it.
The common cold works in the same way, but we do not demonize or shame people to have sniffles.
“If your test results come back positively for a STI, the healthcare provider will advise on the best course of treatment and actions you need to receive. Be sure to follow their guidance,” says Lehmiller.
“This may include taking some type of drug, review later, avoiding sexual sex until the infection has been cleared, making a safer plan for the future and informing today’s and former partners who need to be tested,” he adds.
“The next important step is to warn the previous partners who could have been influenced by Sti so they can also be addressed and warn any of their partners,” says Lynne. “This can be especially important for men, as almost all STDs may not initially appear symptomatic in men, which increases the transmission rate.”
RELATED: How to tell a partner that you have a sexually transmitted infection
As unpleasant as this conversation may feel ahead of time, it is deeply important. A revelation just like this could have saved you from getting your infection. Do the brave and the necessary thing and say to your previous sex partners could prevent many others from experiencing this particular unpleasant.
What do you need to do: After starting treatment
Although it seems to be fashionable on this day and age to question the advice of medical professionals, science on STDs is healthy.
“If you are facing a therapeutic Sti, it is important to complete the full course of treatment and wait to continue sexual activity until you are informed by the health care provider,” says Lehmiller.
“Giving the body the time to heal and get rid of bacteria or let the viral symptoms dissolve so that they are less likely to spread through skin contact/friction with the skin helps restore the body back to homeostasis and keep it more secure.”
However, it is not 100% guaranteed that you are clear of solo pleasure. Depending on the STI you have, masturbation could lead to re -emergence, so ask your doctor for best practices.
“Keep in mind that the automatic shift can occur through the masturbation of the game if the hands are in contact with blisters, warts, liquids and then in other areas of the body,” says Lynne.
What do you need to do: If Sti is easily therapeutic
As noted above, a good amount of STI transmission can be slightly more than some interactions with a healthcare professional, taking some antibiotics, informing any pieces that are affected and avoiding sex for a little while not the fuel of the nightmare of so many classes.
“Easily therapeutic STDs, like Chlamydia, do not include a huge lifestyle disorder,” says Lehmiller. “Your healthcare provider will probably advise you to wait a week or two after treatment before continuing sexual activity.”
However, Lehmiller notes: “If you have a regular partner (or partners), they should also be tested and treated before they repeat sex, because if they have the infection, they can simply pass it behind.”
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What do you need to do: If Sti is not easily therapeutic
Most STDs – bacterial – can be easily treated with antibiotics and you can return to sexcapades fun after a few weeks. Unfortunately, however, this is not the case for all sexually transmitted infections. Specifically, HIV and HSV2, also known as genital herpes, are viral infections for which treatment is much more complicated.
“If you have a Sti that is not therapeutic, try not to panic. This should not mean the end of your sex life,” says Lehmiller. “In general, there will be many things you can do to manage the infection and reduce your chances of passing it to others.
“Similarly, in the case of HIV, medical treatments can suppress the infection to undetectable levels that essentially eliminate any possibility of transmitting it.”
Then, Lehmiller notes, you should “consult the healthcare provider on the best medical care, have safer sex (eg using condoms or obstacles) and contact your partners.”
Many progress has been made in recent years to deal with these most difficult STDs. Lynne notes that “daily taking Valacyclovir is an option in the case of HSV to reduce the amount of virus landing”.
As for HIV, “taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) if a HIV contract can help reduce viral load,” Lynne adds.
It also highlights the importance of “revelation to all partners of the past, present and future, so that they can be tested and if HIV can be negative if they plan to continue sexually involved with a HIV+partner”.
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While STDs like HIV and HSV2 will be dealbreakers for many people, not everyone sees them in this way. In addition to finding partners who understand several sexual health issues enough to avoid being frightened by the mere report of a Sti, many sex games do not require contact with the genitals.
“It is also important to exercise self-care and be kind to yourself, because, in the case of incurable STDs, people often feel guilty or shame,” says Lehmiller. “If you are finding you emotionally struggling. Talk to an authorized therapist and consider joining a support team” or checking online Sti resources like that of Lovehoney.
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“STDs are somewhat inevitably part of them to be sexually active, but often people are shameful about the subject when they assign a Sti,” says Lynne. “If we can increase education and help people lead with transparency, we can reduce shame and embarrassment.”
“Regular testing and protection of partners increases the safety and integrity of those we are sexually involved in, giving others all the information so that they can make documented decisions on their bodies.”
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