The Sex Talk: #Mayforever with STDs if you don't deal with them

The Sex Talk

Apr 23

Editor's Note: Virginity, birth control, and sex are still opaque topics here in the Philippines. A discussion about these things with our parents mostly involves them telling us never to have intercourse or get pregnant until we're married. However, that is hardly a deterrent for women to make unwise choices. At Project Vanity, our ultimate goal is to empower women by providing them information about their own bodies so they feel more confident about navigating the world.

In The Sex Talk, we consult with doctors and experts about common questions we feel should be answered by women, for women.

As if navigating love and sex - technique, birth control (natural, artificial, and emergency), and cultural beliefs about virginity - wasn't difficult enough, there is the very serious matter of sexually transmitted diseases or STDs that you should know about. Talking about venereal diseases isn’t sexy, can be embarrassing, and often involve gross descriptions of things you never imagined could happen to your vaginal area. But let’s face it: knowing more about what they are, how they’re transferred, and the options for treating them help knock the-fear-of-the-unknown down a peg. So in the spirit of adulting, we’ll forego the awkwardness and get straight to the facts with help from OB-GYN Dr. Sandee Go of St. Luke’s Medical Center. Sometimes, love harms, so it’s important to be prepared and take extra precaution!

The Bad Five

When asked to name some of the most common STDs that plague Filipinos, Dr. Go mentioned chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV). The first three are bacterial infections, while the latter two are carried by viruses. Gonorrhea is often referred to in the vernacular as tulo because of the unusual penile or vaginal discharge that occurs but the same symptoms apply to those with chlamydia. Syphilis can be harder to diagnosed as its moniker, “the great imitator,” is a result of it having symptoms that are also commonly found in other diseases. However, it is most often associated with rashes and sores.

STD or UTI?

Could it be that the discomfort is actually from a urinary tract infection, which you can get even if you’re not sexually active? Dr. Go says that there are overlapping symptoms, so it can be hard to tell from those alone. “For example, abnormal penile or vaginal discharge, burning sensation upon urination, and lesions are symptoms that both STDs and UTIs share,” she explains. The best and surest way to find out is to visit a gynecologist who can screen for both and determine the actual cause.

Getting Tested

There is no one way to test for all STDs at once; if you suspect that you may have something, the doctor may have to run several tests to check in what is causing your discomfort. There are also individual DIY home test kits available for HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis, and for chlamydia and gonorrhea here. For HPV screening, a cervical Pap Smear can be done to find out if there are pre-malignant cells even before it turns into cervical cancer. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are tested via urine or a sample of genital discharge, which is then cultivated in a lab for a few days until the bacteria’s DNA can be identified. As for herpes and syphilis, a blood test can be conducted to check for antibodies, similar to how antibodies are checked to detect HIV.

In all cases, your doctor still needs to conduct a physical exam and their own sets of tests, even if you already used a DIY kit. This gives them access to more accurate results and helps ensure that the diagnosis is correct. The more they know, the better the treatment plan they can prescribe.

Preventive Measures

According to Dr. Go, the best preventive measure is still the most commonly available barrier method. “Condoms lessen the risk [of contracting certain sexually transmitted diseases], but not always,” she warns. “Correct usage is necessary to get the most protection.” Meaning, if the penis isn’t fully sheathed, if the condom breaks, or if it slips off, then infection is possible. HPV vaccines will prevent infection only of certain virus strains so its not quite enough on its own. And in the case of scabies and crabs (aka, pubic lice!), condoms won’t do any good and neither will Brazilian waxes. “A topical treatment is required, and full recovery is needed before engaging in sexual contact,” she says.

Treatment Options

Even if you just engaged in a drunken one night stand, #MayForever when it comes to certain diseases. Viral diseases like HIV, HPV or herpes will permanently remain in your body once contracted and can progress to create complications. Medication for these disease mostly focus on symptom management and preventing their spread. Herpes, for example, deals more with treating active lesions or reducing their emergence.

Bacterial infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are usually treatable by a round of antibiotics. It’s necessary for an asymptomatic partner to be treated as well as the patient because not having the symptoms isn’t the same as being disease-free. They can still be carriers of the disease and infect others just as much as a symptomatic person can. That’s why both partners need to get tested and treated.

Other Things You Need to Know About STDs:

Having multiple sex partners may increase your risk of getting an STD but being in a monogamous relationship doesn’t make you safe either. Your partner may have a pre-existing condition, or in case they cheat, pass on the infection from another sexual partner. If you’re sexually active, see your doctor yearly and get a Pap smear.
Disclosure is a must. If you have an infection, it is absolutely necessary to inform all your sexual partners in the last 2 to 3 months that they may have the disease as well. This allows them to seek out treatment and also avoid passing on the infection to others.
Testing once isn’t always enough. There are varying incubation periods from weeks to months so regular testing is recommended, especially when multiple partners are involved.
STDs can be spread through anal and oral sex as well. Other surprising ways to get it? Scabies and crabs can also be transferred through towels and beddings, though the likelihood is small. Some diseases need living hosts to keep them going otherwise exposure to the elements (air, heat, etc.) will just kill them.
Some STDs can be passed on from the mother to her unborn child. Left untreated, syphilis can be transmitted to a baby while a mother with active lesions during delivery can also pass on herpes. If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, make sure to check with your doctor that your system is clear of diseases that can be transmitted in utero or during childbirth.

If you have had unprotected sex or suspect that you or your partner may have an STD, seek medical assistance immediately. It may seem embarrassing at first but consider that doctors have seen all sorts of cases, some probably worse than you’re experiencing. You owe it to yourself and your partner to get treatment immediately because sex should be safe for it to be enjoyable.

Sources: American Cancer Society, WebMD, CDC, WebMD, British Journal of Cardiology

Photo Sources: Advuro, Nutrition Review, About STDs, Reference.com, Infectious Diseases Hub, Herpes Land, CDC, Health Life Media, TES, Cleaveland Health