April 9th-15th is STI Awareness Week, didn’t realize this was a holiday? It is actually a SUPER important holiday to spread awareness about prevention, testing, and treatment of STIs. But what’s the big deal about STI’s? The CDC estimates 1 in 5 people in the U.S. have a sexually transmitted infection. However, don’t let this scare you! Let it be a way to learn how to prevent, test, and treat!
Learn more in our blog post, Untreated STDs, on the risks of not getting tested and treated.
Prevention
The CDC has a great website with information, but here is a summary!
- Abstinence- this is the most reliable way to avoid infection until you are ready to have sex.
- Vaccination- There are some STI’s that can be prevented with a vaccine, like HPV and Hepatitis B. Other STI’s can be treated with antibiotics and will cause no further problems.
- Reducing the Number of Sexual Partners- even when limited the number of partners you have, it is still important to get regularly checked for STIs and to share the results with your partner(s). Honesty is the best way to maintain this.
- Mutual Monogamy- agreeing to only be sexually active with one partner in a long term relationship is the other most reliable way to avoid STIs since neither partner will be infected and spread to someone else. It also doesn’t mean less sex, just less partners, so it is a win-win situation.
- Male Condoms- this can be used for anal, vaginal, and oral sex to reduce STI’s transmission.
Testing
Testing is the most critical part of protecting yourself and partners. You should get testing done when you:
- suspect symptoms like discharge, pain, or itching
- have had a new partner (Anybody who has oral, anal, or vaginal sex, or genital skin-to-skin contact with another person can get STIs)
- Or annually with your GYN exam or physical exam with your primary care physician
- STI’s or sexually transmitted infections will not always show symptoms, like gonorrhea and chlamydia. So it is important to not let the infection spread and cause damage to your reproductive system.
BFR Medical offers STI Testing for
Treatment
There are many ways to treat STIs and it depends on what you test postive for and it’s important to seek medical assistance. Good news is that BFR also offers treatment for:
This information might seem intimidating, but don’t let it scare you. You got this girl, and we’re here to help. BFR Medical professionals want to walk alongside you for any of your health concerns. Please call or schedule an appointment with any questions!
References:
STI vs. STD: Key Differences & Resources for Students. School of Public Health. (2022, September 15). Retrieved March 12, 2023, from https://publichealth.tulane.edu/blog/sti-vs-std/