STDs & women, causing a long period?

Various STDs can eventually cause PID or pelvic inflammatory disease is the name of a serious infection in the female reproductive organs. In most cases Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are the cause of infections although other may cause PID as well. 

PID (Pelvic inflammatory disease)

PID will in most cases cause unusal long periods. A smelly vaginal discharge may be present. Pain between menstrual periods and also while urinating are possible symptoms.

Conclusion:

Yes any STD can cause PID. PID causes changes in the menstrual cycle. Chills, fever and pain in the lower back area can also be symptoms. If PID is not treated it may cause serious health issues. You might even become infertile. Many STDs do not give any symptoms. You can order a STD test online, so you can test with the convenience of privacy and direct results.

The 7 most important risk factors for acquiring STDs

Unprotected sex

Ofcourse unprotected sex is the highest risk factor. Damaged skin (cuts/blisters/irritated) makes the person more susceptible for acquiring a STD. Proper condom use has an effect for every STD out there and decreases transmission rates. Other than being not sexually active there is no better way to prevent STD’s.

Polygamy (more than 1 partner)

This one is easy. It’s fair and square: the more people you have sex with, the more you will be vulnerable to acquire a STD. Plus, people with multiple partners tend to choose people who have multiple partners as well. Seems logic right? 

Being under 25 years old and sexually active

Young people below 25 years old are much more susceptible to acquire a STD than old people. Especially for woman this is the case. The body is smaller and more susceptible to tearing while having sex. Anything that makes the skin damaged increases the risk. The cervix is also not yet fully developed. This increases the chance of infections. Especially Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.

Alcohol (ab)use

In studies, alcohol use has been linked to people being less picky about who they have sex with. Alcohol lowers shyness and makes you less reserved. Proper condom use may also be more difficult due to the effects of alcohol. A lot of new cases can be linked to alcohol abuse.

Drug use

Drugs have the same function as alcohol. Decision making can be more impulsive. Especially drugs which is taken through  injection increases the risks of getting a STD. Drug abuse and HIV and Hepatitis go hand in hand. Using drugs or having sexual intercourse with someone using drugs may greatly increases your risk. Especially if the person is injecting drugs. Injecting drugs have been linked to many STD cases.

Trade sex for money or drugs

Sex workers have a dramatically high risk of acquiring STDs. In many countries woman are not able to stand up for themselves when it comes to safe sex.  

Community with high infection rate

If you live in an area where STD prevelance is very high, you are at higher risk at any time you have sex.There are various sources available to see this data.

Can a STD be fatal?

Yes, STDs actually can be fatal. The most famous STD is HIV. Although it seems people with HIV live quiete long, it also kills a lot of people. Some STDs can be treated others are only manageable and some can cause death. Viral STDs are not treatable. Bacterial for example chlamydia, syphilis and crabs are treatable. AIDS and HIV eventually disable the immune system which will cause complications when you get sick. The effects of HIV can be slowed by medicines which prolong one’s life.

Especially chlamydia  can be very dangerous. It will cause infertility and in case of a woman it may cause tubal pregnancy which is life threatening. For men it will highly increase the risk of cancer of the prostate. 

Tubal pregnancy, the embryo develops in the fallopian tubes

What makes all STDs be potentially fatal is the fact that your body is more easily infected with the HIV virus. STDs are serious sicknesses that require immediate attention. If you learn more about STDs you are able to protect yourself better. Remember, most STD’s can be treated. If you do not cure the curable ones, those can turn deadly as well. And what about killing your social life as well.

Where can I get a STD test?

STD’s are very common. Every year about 20 million new cases in the USA alone are reported. One out of two sexual active people below the age of 25 will get one. This number could be a lot higher because a lot of STD’s do not give symptoms.

A lot of STD’s are very well treatable. But it is vital that you know if there is anything wrong. For this reason there are a lot of places you can go. You could make an appointment with your doctor or get tested in an official center. STD rapid test kits are also an option. Sometimes fears and privacy concerns for a doctor or health institution is the case. With these std testkits you can test yourself in 100% privacy. They are medical approved with clear instructions. 

Unfortunately STD’s are not like allergies. We cannot do a major test for all those ones out there. But also for the std test kits they have everything available. 

Slumber disease: Chlamydia

Slumber disease: Chlamydia

Chlamydia in the year 2015 is still the #1 STD. You probably won’t even know when you have it. 75% of women do not get any symtoms and for men this is about 50%.

About 40% of women who are infected develop pelvic inflammatory disease. About 20 % of these women develop infertility, chronic pelvic pain about 18% and for 9% women develop tubal pregnancy which can be very dangerous and even lethal. If a women is infected there is a 50/50 chance the newborn is also infected. The baby might end up dead or suffer from severe blindness.

Even though there are good therapies and medications available, the amount of people carying the infection while not knowing it causes the problem to become bigger over time. Most people are not fully aware of the risk Chlamydia might pose to their own health and their loved ones. The problem is finding the people who are at risk and convincing them to get tested.

Because of the effects of Chlamydia most treated patients are men, because the outset of symptoms are often much clearer. Preventive screening, as researched before, is very effective. According to the north western states, Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Alaska, in the late 80’s the prevelance rate of woman aged 15-24 was 13%. Currently we are below 5%.

Chlamydia can infect the genitals directly but have an effect on the cervix, anus, urethra and even eye as well. Condoms do offer good protection but they are not 100% foolproof. They do stop the HIV virus but this is not the case for Chlamydia. This percentage is more like 80%.

Studies from the past suggest the possibility for the spontanious resolution of Chlamydia. More recent studies show the benefits of using anti biotics. Spontanious resolution might happen in a few percent of the cases, but it’s best not to gamble. The infection can have some serious longterm effects.

Bottom note:

If you are below 25 and sexually active. Be extra careful. Limit the amount of bed partners and use protection. If you do have any symptoms a STD rapid test kit would be a suitable option if you, not very differently from other people, are afraid to go to a doctor. Remember that this thing is curable.