Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted illnesses. In most cases, STIs are shared through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Every year, more than 9 million women in the United States are diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI). STIs cause more serious health issues in women than in males, including infertility.
So what are the Five W's of STIs?
What
Many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) show just little or no symptoms at all. When women experience symptoms, they may be misinterpreted as a urinary tract infection or yeast infection.
Who
An STI affects almost 20 million people in the United States each year. Women and men from various walks of life and economic origins are affected by these illnesses. However, young people aged 15 to 24 account for half of all new infections.
Where & When
A person can contract STIs when having unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse with someone who has a STI (without a condom). It's not always easy to identify if someone has a STI. Even if there are no indications or symptoms, STIs can spread. It is also possible to get STIs when genital contact is made. Some STIs, such as syphilis and herpes, can be contracted without having sex. Sexual intercourse between women who only have sex with other women is another means of contracting STI. Even more surprising is that STIs can be passed from a pregnant or nursing mother to her child.
Why
Some people get STIs because they are not educated about sexually transmitted infections and how they can protect themselves against them. Most times, these people often fail to practice safe sex and do not get their recommended STI check up at their clinical visits. Young people avoid addressing their sex lives with their primary care doctors due to the fear of being judged and this in turn prevents them from getting the needed education on STI prevention.
Need more information?
We’re going to link all our resources that we used to inform you about this article so that you can get more information and education about STIs. In addition, if you would like to know about your closest STI clinical resources go to http://miamidade.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/infectious-disease-services/std/clinical-services.html
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Sources
Adolescents and STDs | Sexually Transmitted Diseases | CDC. (n.d.). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/std/life-stages-populations/stdfact-teens.htm
Clinical Services | Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade. (n.d.). Florida Department of Health: Miami-Dade County. Retrieved November 9, 2021, from http://miamidade.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/infectious-disease-services/std/clinical-services.html
Sexually transmitted infections | Office on Women’s Health. (n.d.). OASH. Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/sexually-transmitted-infections
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