I Need Help With... STDs
Alleviate Your Concerns About STD’s
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I feel so ashamed... |
The subject of STD’s – sexually transmitted diseases – is often a difficult thing to discuss. STD’s have a negative stigma that is hard to shake. We’re afraid of what it might mean, and we worry that if we have an STD such as herpes, we won’t be sexually desirable.
Here we’ll cover a few of the more questions about STD’s, including how they’re transmitted and the symptoms of STD’s. Genital herpes is of particular concern to many women, and for good reason.
Genital Herpes
Here is a summary of information about genital herpes from the CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov):
Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex viruses. Most people have no or only minimal signs or symptoms from a herpes infection. When signs do occur, they typically appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur. Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but it almost always is less severe and shorter than the first outbreak. Although the infection can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease over a period of years.
How common is genital herpes?
Results of a nationally representative study show that genital herpes infection is common in the United States. Nationwide, at least 45 million people ages 12 and older, or one out of five adolescents and adults, have had genital HSV infection. Over the past decade, the percent of Americans with genital herpes infection in the U.S. has decreased.
Genital HSV-2 infection is more common in women (approximately one out of four women) than in men (almost one out of eight). This may be due to male-to-female transmission being more likely than female-to-male transmission.
You can only get the HSV-2 infection during sexual contact with someone who has an infection. However, transmission can occur from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not know that he or she is infected.
HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but it more commonly causes infections of the mouth and lips, so-called “fever blisters.”
Because genital HSV can lead to potentially fatal infections in babies, it is important that you avoid contracting herpes during pregnancy.
How do we diagnose genital herpes?
We can do a visual scan, and we can also run some blood tests that detect the antibodies to herpes. Although the results are not always clear-cut, it can give you some peace of mind.
Is there a treatment for herpes?
There is no treatment that can cure herpes, but antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the medication. In addition, daily suppressive therapy for herpes can reduce transmission to partners.
How can herpes be prevented?
The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, including genital herpes, is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.
Yeast Infections
A "yeast infection" or VVC, is a common fungal infection that occurs when there is overgrowth of the fungus called Candida. Candida is always present in the body in small amounts. However, when an imbalance occurs, such as when the normal acidity of the vagina changes or when hormonal balance changes, Candida can multiply. When that happens, symptoms of candidiasis appear. (Source: CDC)
Nearly 75% of all women have had a yeast infection at least once in their adult lives. Women with VVC usually experience genital itching or burning, with or without a "cottage cheese-like" vaginal discharge.
To confirm if you do or not have a yeast infection, we’ll do a lab test by taking a sample with a cotton swab when you come in for your visit.
We’ll usually treat your yeast infection with antifungal drugs which are taken orally, applied directly to the affected area, or used vaginally. They’re usually 80-90% effective.
Be aware that if you self-diagnose and start taking over-the-counter medications, you may be creating a problem for yourself. Many women mis-diagnose (they don’t have a yeast infection), and will actually built up a tolerance to the same treatments that might otherwise help! It’s best to come in for a simple test to make sure.
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is where the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted and replaced by an overgrowth of certain bacteria. It is sometimes accompanied by discharge, odor, pain, itching, or burning. (Source: CDC)
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age. In the United States, BV is common in pregnant women.
The cause of BV is not fully understood. BV is associated with an imbalance in the bacteria that are normally found in a woman's vagina. The vagina normally contains mostly "good" bacteria, and fewer "harmful" bacteria. BV develops when there is an increase in harmful bacteria.
Not much is known about how women get BV. There are many unanswered questions about the role that harmful bacteria play in causing BV. Any woman can get BV. However, some activities or behaviors can upset the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina and put women at increased risk including:
* Having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners,
* Douching, and
* Using an intrauterine device (IUD) for contraception.
You WILL NOT get BV from toilet seats, bedding, swimming pools, or from touching objects around them. Women who have never had sexual intercourse are rarely affected.
What are the signs and symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?
You might have an abnormal vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor or burning during urination or itching around the outside of the vagina, or both. Some women with BV report no signs or symptoms at all.
In most cases, BV causes no complications. But there are some serious risks from BV. If you suspect that you might have BV, we can tell you for sure, and make sure that you are doing everything you can to be safe and healthy.
BV is treatable with antibiotics that we can prescribe for you. Be sure to make an appointment as soon as possible if you are at all concerned.
Questions? Please make an appointment.
We’ll tell you how to treat a yeast infection, about any herpes vaccine or herpes treatment that’s available, and above all make sure that you are staying healthy and happy. Your health is our number one priority.