Sexual Health:

• More than 12 million Americans are infected with STD's each year. It is estimated that nearly 25% of Americans have an STD.
• 1 in 4 people have genital herpes.
• HPV, Human Papilloma Virus (genital warts) is the most common STD in the U.S. and more than 5 million people are infected with HPV each year. HPV is almost always the cause of Cervical Cancer in women.
• 90% of the world’s population, over the age of 12, has Type 1 Herpes, the type of Herpes that presents itself in the form of a common cold sore on your lip. Type 1 Herpes can be spread to the genitalia via oral sex.
• Some STDs have no symptoms for many years and some will never have symptoms at all but will still be able to pass on to other sexual partners who may experience symptoms and even more serious consequences of STDs such as Cancer.
• Since the HIV epidemic began, worldwide an estimated 21.8 million people have died of AIDS (17.5 million adults and 4.3 million children under 15).

• Chlamydia – Symptoms include pain, redness and itchiness around the vagina, a yellow and odorless discharge, pain during sex and pain and frequency during urination for women. Men may have pain or burning when urinating, and a watery, milky-colored discharge from the penis.
• Gonorrhea - Women may have a white, green or yellow discharge, painful urination, spotting between periods and sometimes fever and abdominal pain. Men may have a thick yellow discharge, painful urination and the opening of the penis may be sore.
• Syphilis - A painless red sore will appear where you were touched during intercourse. A few months later, you may have a fever, sore throat, headaches and joint pain.
• Herpes - A tingling and itching around the genitals. Small painful blisters may form in the area
• Papillomavirus (condylomas)causes growths (called condylomas or genital warts) and it is the most common STD in the U.S. The virus is usually spread by direct contact with a wart from an infected person, however, men can carry the Papillomavirus without experiencing any symptoms at all. Genital warts can appear alone or in clusters in, on and around the genitals and anus. Growths inside the genital organs are soft and red or pink. Genital warts usually appear one to three months after contact, but some go undetected until they cause discomfort. Papillomavirus has a known link to Cervical Cancer in women.

Condoms and oral birth control do not protect against all Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Some are spread by skin-to-skin contact in areas not covered by a condom. If you’ve had oral sex, the germ that causes the STD can be carried in your mouth. Additionally, Condoms can fail (break) and this contact can cause the spread of STDs.

The only sure way to be protected from is to abstain from sexual activity. That means not having vaginal, anal, or oral sex or touching another person’s genital areas. Additionally, if you have sex with only your spouse, you will drastically decrease your chances of getting or spreading STDs.

Our Pregnancy Resource Center staff can help you assess your sexual lifestyle and give advice as to protect yourself best. Find your closest Pregnancy Resource Center [Here].