Sexually Transmitted Diseases

STDs or STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) are pretty much what they sound like; they are infections you get through having sexual activity with someone. In the last 10 years STIs have been hugely on the increase; particularly amongst young women in their late teens; so it's well worth knowing your facts to keep safe.

Symptoms
Different STIs have different symptoms, including unusual discharge from the vagina, unusually heavy periods, pain or burning when going to the toilet, rashes, itching around the vagina or anus. Left untreated they can cause ectopic pregnancy and may also lead to infertility. Scarily, some STIs do not have any symptoms at all, which means you may not know you have them until the damage has been done.

Types
There are around 25 types of STI. The most common infections are:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Genital herpes
• Genital warts
• Non-specific genital infections NSGIs)
• HIV and AIDS
• Hepatitis B
• Trichomoniasis
• Syphilis

Getting Help quickly if you think you may have an STI is crucial. Most can be easily diagnosed and treated at your local Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic. You do not need a referral from your GP to access one of these and you don't have to go to your nearest one if you don't want to. The service is confidential and you do not have to give your real name. See your telephone book or ring your local hospital / GP surgery and ask for details.
Staying Safe from STIs means one of two things - either abstaining from sex unless you are completely sure you and your partner are infection free; or protecting yourself by always using a condom during sex (see separate section). Not too tricky, right? That's all there is to it.

For more information on these and other sexually transmitted infections we recommend:

Brook Street
Family Planning
The Site

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