Do you remember your sex education classes at school? If you do, then you would be aware of the importance of practicing safe sex.
The act of sex with your partner can be an amazing experience for both of you, and it is undoubtedly fun.
However, as much fun as sex can be, if you do not practice precautions, it can lead to certain undesirable consequences.
Apart from unwanted pregnancies, unprotected sex can also lead to diseases that are transmitted from one person to the other, during intercourse.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can affect people, regardless of the gender or age.
They usually spread through the virus and bacteria that are found in the saliva, blood, vaginal fluid and semen of the affected sexual partner.
So, it is very important to be safe during sex by using condoms, avoiding sexual contact with too many partners and getting both yourself and your partner tested for STDs on a regular basis.
STDs can have serious consequences if left untreated for too long; and the worst part is, sometimes, the symptoms do not show up until it is too late!
So, here is a list of STDs and their symptoms for you to know about, have a look.
Chlamydia is a bacterial STD which comes with symptoms like lower abdominal pain, pain during urination, vaginal and penile discharge, pain during sex, etc.
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial STD which can affect the genital tracts, mouth, eyes, throat and anus. It comes with symptoms such as painful bowel movements, bloody penile or vaginal discharge, pain during periods in women, burning sensation during urination, etc.
3. Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is very contagious disease and is a type of viral STD that is caused by the herpes simplex virus. Some of its symptoms are red bumps or blisters in the genital and anal area, pain and itching around the genital area, and sores and infection in and around the genital area.
4. Genital Warts
Genital warts are a type of sexually transmitted infection caused by virus. This infection can lead to cervical cancer in women. Its other symptoms include swelling in the genital area, a number of warts in and around the genital area, bleeding during intercourse, etc.
Hepatitis is another form of a viral STD that is highly contagious. Some of its symptoms include fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, fever, joint pain and skin itching.
Syphilis is a bacterial STD which affects the genitals, skin and mucous membrane. Some of its symptoms include rashes/sores on your skin, fatigue, enlarged lymph nodes, also blindness and paralysis in extreme cases.
HIV is a viral STD which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. This is the deadliest disease that is known to mankind, which has no cure. Some of its symptoms include an unexplained fatigue, shakes and chills that come with high fever, chronic diarrhoea, headaches, infections and a depleted immune system.