Sexual Health

altAccording to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 70 million Americans currently have an STI. There are 19 million new cases that occur each year, with half of these in people under the age of 25. Sex is a big deal - there are other consequences besides an unexpected pregnancy. Know the facts.

Could you have a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)?

These questions are indicators of your risk for contracting an STI or becoming pregnant:

1. Have you had unprotected sex at least once?

2. Do you use a condom every time you have sex?

3. Do you use any form of contraceptive?

4. Have you used this contraceptive consistently in the last month?

5. Have you had more than one sexual partner?

6. Has your partner had other partners?

If you answered yes to any of these, you are at risk.


What causes STIs?

Certain STIs, like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis are caused by bacteria. Others, like HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, Herpes, and HPV, are caused by viruses. And the trichomoniasis infection is actually caused by a parasite. The two most common STIs (according to the CDC) are Chlamydia and HPV.

How do you get them?

You get STIs during sexual activity. This includes vaginal sex, oral sex, and anal sex. A few-herpes and HPV-can even be spread by contact with infected skin. HIV and hepatitis can also be spread through needle-sharing. You can get an STI from a person who has no symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

Most STIs have no symptoms, yet a person can still pass on the infection. Some symptoms may include abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina, burning sensation when urinating, and abdominal pain. You may also notice a rash, ulcer, or wart.

What are the complications?

In women, complications from STIs include pelvic inflammatory disease (which can lead to infertility); tubal pregnancy; cervical cancer; and can even be life-threatening. In pregnant women, STIs can lead to miscarriage, stillbirths, preterm delivery and birth defects. In men, HPV infections can cause penile cancer and HIV can be life-threatening.

Can they be prevented?

Yes! Avoid all sexual activity until you are in a committed, monogamous relationship (such as marriage) and remain faithful to that (uninfected) partner for life. This is the only way to avoid the risk of an infection.


Early detection of STI's is important for your health. Some can be cured. Some cannot. Many have lifelong effects. STI's often do not have any symptoms so if you are at risk you should get tested.

Some of the most common STI's:

HPV (human papillomavirus) is the primary cause of cervical cancer. At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. Most HPV infections have no signs or symptoms; therefore, most infected people are unaware they are infected, yet they can transmit the virus to a sex partner.

Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Any sexually active person can be infected with Chlamydia. The greater the number of sex partners, the greater the risk of infection. Because the cervix of teenage girls and young women is not fully matured, they are at particularly high risk for infection.

In women, symptoms of Gonorrhea are often mild, but most women who are infected have no symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems.

There are over 1 million people living with HIV in the United States. About one-fourth of those have not yet been diagnosed and are unaware of their infection.

If you have a genital bump, with or without pain, discharge, odor, or itch, we recommend you be seen by your physician as soon as possible.

"Sexual health is a positive, honest, and respectful approach to sexuality. The healthiest sexual activity is intentional, mutually agreeable, and mutually pleasurable in the context of a respectful, lifelong, mutually monogamous relationship. The healthiest sexual activity occurs between adults who are mature physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. They are financially self-sufficient and prepared to handle the results of sexual activity. Healthy sexual activity is characterized by freedom from coercion, exploitation, transactions, oppression, discrimination, violence, the influence of mind altering substances, and transmission of disease." (Definition courtesy of the Medical Institute of Sexual Health) To read more about monogamy and sexual health, click here.