Introduction

Sexual health is a controversial topic is some countries. However, sexual health is a matter of high concern for human beings. Human beings have sexual desires and in the fulfilling these, people can get themselves infected by different types of diseases. It is not a thing to be shy of and one should be open to discussing the problems relating to one’s sexual life. It is much bigger problem than on the individual level. Apart from the individual suffering from any such chronic disease, that disease can potentially spread whenever that particular person mates with the other person.

STDs

STDs are the sexually transmitted diseases. As the name implies, these disease are transmitted when a person has sexual intercourse with the other person. These diseases are chronic in their nature and also life threatening. They tend to pass from one person to the other person, even when there are no symptoms of these diseases.

There are already a number of known sexually transmitted diseases (STD) that afflict millions of people around the world today. Most of these conditions are results of infections from pathogenic organisms, like fungi, bacteria, viruses, and even parasites. The epidemiology of STD’s vary depending on the location or country, and there are still some types of STD that have no definite cure, though research efforts are continuously working on them.
Risks

STD’s are more or less universal, as they can infect both men and women, and in some instances, the diseases are even passed on to children. There are STD’s that have mild symptoms and are easily treated with a little medication. But there are also life-threatening STD’s that can possibly remain for a very long time, until the patient or his family members die from it.

The risks, which STDs inject upon the human beings, are very serious and may last even a lifetime suffering in some cases. Whenever people have unsafe sex or careless sex then the person is more likely to be infected by sexually transmitted diseases. These risks may lead to lifelong illness, cause sterility, birth defects and may also lead to other serious illness which has the potential to become the cause of the person’s death.
Cause

Many STD’s are caused by bacterial infections. Bacteria belong to a kingdom of microscopic organisms that can reproduce on the cellular level. There are classes of bacteria that are easily killed, while there are highly resistant ones that can form colonies once they enter the human body. Examples of bacterial STD’s are gonorrhea, syphillis, and chlamydia. These three are among the most common in the United States, and symptoms include pain while urinating, abdominal pain, and unusual pus like discharge from the vagina or the male urethra. These conditions can be treated by regular administration of antibiotics.

There are also STD’s that are caused by fungi, which is another kingdom of organisms that reproduce asexually through spores. The yeast infection that most women experience is caused by a species of fungi. A woman may have a foul-smelling discharge, constant itching in her genital area, and other symptoms. This can be treated with specialized creams, vaginal suppository, or some oral medications.

STD’s that are caused by viruses are by far the most difficult to contain and treat. Viruses are often hard to kill, but the symptoms accompanying the disease can be alleviated. Vaccinations against these strains of viruses should help in increasing resistance to them, but do not necessarily serve as the cure. Herpes and hepatitis are STD’s that are caused by viruses. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are also caused by viruses, and both conditions claim the lives of millions of people across the globe.

Protection

A person can prevent himself from getting an STD by being sure of his sexual partner, and if possible, maintaining a monogamous relationship. Safe sex can be practiced by using condoms or diaphragms more often. Avoid performing anal sex or oral sex to avoid transmission of bacteria from different parts of the body. Sharing of hypodermic needles is also not advisable.