Although sexually transmitted diseases are common, not everybody all things about these diseases. You may have learned how they are spread and how to prevent them, but there are still many things you need to learn about STDs. For instance, most people know between 6-10 STDs. Did you know that there are more than 25 sexually transmitted diseases? Or that about two-thirds of Americans will get an STD in their lifetime?
These are some uncommon facts about STDs that might surprise you. This article will help you learn about these facts and widen your knowledge of STDs. Let’s jump into these facts.
There are more than 25 sexually transmitted diseases
You probably only know the common STDs, which are about eight. You are not alone, as most people don’t know that there are many sexually transmitted infections, and anytime you have unprotected sex, you risk contracting one of these infections.
The United States leads in STD cases.
Among the first-world and industrialized countries, the US leads in the number of STD cases. Regardless of spending more money on healthcare and prevention than any other country, the United States still records about 20 million new sexually transmitted infections every year. Of the cases, almost half are people between the ages of 15-24.
STDs in older adults are on the rise.
Although youths and younger adults between the ages of 15-24 account for the larger percentage of new STD infections, the new infection of older adults are on the rise. If nothing is done, the infection cases will continue to rise.
The rise in STD infections among older adults is due to a lack of education on STDs. The government and stakeholders have focused on educating young people about STDs and forgets older people. And because of this, they don’t use protection while having sex and don’t know their STD statuses since they don’t go for regular STD screening.
Some STDs can affect fertility in both women and men.
STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia don’t have symptoms; if they show, they are mild. And without STD testing, most people don’t know they have these infections. Without treatment, these infections can spread to the reproductive organs like the urethra, fallopian tube, and uterus. This can lead to inflammation of these reproductive organs and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), leading to infertility.
PID can cause ectopic pregnancies, fallopian tube damage, and chronic pelvic pain.
Condoms aren’t foolproof.
It is good to use protection any time you have sex, especially with someone you don’t know their status. However, condoms are not 100% effective for most STDs, for instance, an STD like genital herpes. This infection lives in areas that a condom cannot cover; therefore, you can still get it even when using a condom.
Secondly, oral sex can also spread genital herpes. So if you receive oral sex from someone with oral herpes, you can get genital herpes.
You can have an STD without knowing.
Most STDs are asymptomatic, making it difficult for people to know whether they have them unless they go for STD screening. This is why STD infections are common and are on the rise.
Hepatitis B is more contagious than HIV.
Hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the hepatitis B virus and causes liver cirrhosis, liver disease, and liver cancer. This disease is 100 times more contagious than HIV, the virus causing AIDS. It is more contagious because it is contracted by exposure to any body fluid, while HIV is only through blood, semen, pre-cum, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
STDs can cause cancer.
STDs like human papillomavirus ha strains that can cause cervical, throat, anal, and penile cancer.
Conclusion
Because of its popularity, most people know one or two about sexually transmitted diseases, especially the youth. However, they are some facts that most people don’t know. Now that you’ve added STD knowledge ensure that you prevent them.
