Prevent STDs

• 
  Dr. Humberto Lamoutte
  

The rates of the most common Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), such as thrush and gonorrhea STDs, are higher in Latinas than in other non-Hispanic women.

STDs are harmful, especially for women. Untreated STDs can cause cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and other problems. If a pregnant woman has an STD, it can damage the baby’s health. Having an STD may also increase the risk that a woman will contract HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. You can’t tell if a person has an STD because many STDs cause no symptoms or very mild symptoms. But STDs can spread from person to person even when there are no symptoms. There are treatments to cure many STDs.

Reduce your risk of STDs by following these steps, which are more effective when combined:

• Be faithful. Having sex with one person who has been tested for STDs and is not infected reduces your risk of getting an infection. Only have sex with each other and nobody else.

• Use condoms correctly every time you have sex, during all forms of sexual contact, even when there is no intercourse. Use condoms from the beginning to the end of each sexual encounter, and with every partner. A male latex condom offers the best protection; if you are allergic to latex, use a polyurethane condom. For vaginal sex use a male condom, or a female condom if your partner refuses to use a condom. For oral sex, use a male condom.

• Some birth control methods (the pill, injections, implants, diaphragms) do not protect you from STDs. If you employ these methods also use a condom every time you have sex.

• Talk to your sexual partner(s) about STDs and about using a condom before having sex.

• Do not assume that you have a low risk for STDs if you only have sex with women. Some STDs are easily spread through skin-to-skin contact. Also, most women who have sex with women have had sex with men too. A woman can get an STD from a man and spread it to a female partner.

• Talk to your doctor and your sexual partner(s) about any STDs that you or your partner has or had. Try not to feel ashamed. Discuss your symptoms, such as ulcers or secretions. Your doctor is there to help. Trust your doctor and your partner to protect your health and the health of others.

• Get tested for STDs if you are at risk. Ask your doctor whether you should do, or redo, an STD test. The test is simple and can be performed frequently during your check-up visit. The sooner you are diagnosed with an STD, the easier it is to treat.

• Avoid using illegal drugs or drinking too much alcohol. This can lead to high-risk sexual behaviors, such as not using condoms.

Source: womenshealth.gov/minorityhealth/Latinas

— This article is brought to you by certified obstetrician/gynecologist Humberto Lamoutte, MD. He’s taking new patients in his office at Mercy Women’s Health Center in Algonquin, (847) 854-0688, and Elgin, (847) 931-1813.

Prevent STDs