Diseases STDs

STD’s, as the name suggests, are transferred via sexual contact whether it is anal, vaginal, or even oral. Whatever route it is as long as it involves, intimate contact between an infected individual and a susceptible one, STD can be acquired. Being sexually active, it is advisable for one to go to STD clinics to get tested to check if your last sexual encounter brought you more than just a pleasurable night.Chlamydia Transmission
Chlamydia transmission occurs during sexual intercourse and can also be transferred from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal childbirth. That is to say, any sexually active person can be infected with chlamydia. The greater the number of sex partners you have, the greater the risk of getting the infection is. That being said, being sexually active is a big factor; thus, one should always get routine STD check-ups to determine whether or not you have the STD or not.Herpes Transmission
Herpes infection is spread via direct skin to skin contact. Unlike the flu virus where you can get it through the air, herpes spreads through direct contact: it is through direct contact from the site of the infection to the body part. For example, if you have a cold sore and you kiss someone, you are transferring the virus from your mouth to theirs. Similarly, if you have active genital herpes and have penetrative intercourse, you can give your partner genital herpes. You can also pass on your oral herpes to their genitals by performing oral sex. For cases such as these, it would be best to visit a STD clinic to be tested and to get prescribed the proper medication.Gonorrhea Transmission
Gonorrhea is transmitted through contact with the: genitals, mouth, or anus. It is important to note that ejaculation is not necessary in order for the gonorrhea to be transmitted. People who have had gonorrhea and have undergone treatment may get infected again if they have sexual contact with a person who is also infected with gonorrhea. Regular check-ups at STD clinics are advised especially if you are sexually active.Syphilis Transmission
Syphilis transmission occurs through direct contact with a syphilis sore during sex. These sores appear on the external genitals, anus, or in the rectum. Sores may also appear on the lips and in the mouth. If you have sores present in these area and are sexually active, get tested immediately to confirm if it is or is not syphilis.HPV Transmission
HPV is typically transmitted through direct contact/skin-to-skin contact. The virus may also be spread by touching something that has been contaminated with the virus although a chance of transmitting the disease this way is extremely small. Get tested regularly for STDs, not just HPV but for other types as well.This being the case, it is important for anyone who is sexually active to have regular and routine STD check-ups to make sure that they are not infected. By doing this, you will be able to know if you are already infected even before the symptoms manifest. That way you can prevent the possible spread of the illness and decrease the rate of occurrences.

The growing prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases has concerned many men, as well it should – studies have shown that over 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases occur every year, and that today over 25% of Americans are living with an incurable STD. In addition to always practicing excellent penis care, men must also take care to protect themselves against the growing variety of STDs lurking among potential partners.Though many STDs present with problems that might include penis pain or discharge, one of the most frightening points about STDs is that some are completely asymptomatic. This means that a person can have the infection in their body but not know it is there. That’s case with a new infection discovered by researchers in the UK: Known as mycoplasma genitalium, this infection might actually be more common than gonorrhea.Is this really a new STD?First discovered in 1980, mycoplasma genitalium was initially believed to be a bacteria that invaded the urinary tract and sometimes the reproductive system, much the same way a simple urinary tract infection might. But in the mid-90s, researchers discovered that those who tested positive for the bacteria also had sexual partners who tested positive. Over time, studies also proved that those who had more sexual partners or those who had unprotected sex were more likely to have mycoplasma genitalium.Perhaps most significantly, the infection was never found in those who had never had sex. Therefore, research has now definitively concluded that yes, mycoplasma genitalium is a sexually transmitted disease.What are the symptoms?Like many other STDs, many people who contract this one might show no symptoms at all. For the men who do have symptoms, penis pain when urinating is the number one complaint, followed by discharge from the penis. For women, the symptoms usually present as bleeding after sexual activity, perhaps thanks to an inflamed cervix. The potential for long-term problems has not yet been established, thanks to the newness of the infection and ongoing research.What about treatment?Unfortunately, there are no FDA-approved tests for this particular infection; therefore, doctors usually treat the problem through a process of elimination. In most cases, the antibiotics used to treat penis pain or penis discharge do not work well in fighting mycoplasma genitalium. Therefore, physicians might suspect a man has this particular infection if the antibiotics obviously do not work to alleviate the symptoms. At that point, moving to higher-dose antibiotics or a different type of antibiotic altogether will often clear up the infection.Taking steps to stay healthyThis worrying news is even more reason for a man to ‘wrap it up’ when enjoying time with a new partner, as well as to make a point of getting tested for a wide variety of STDs on a regular basis. Catching an infection very early can mean the difference between good health and a nasty problem later, and might also help preserve fertility.Another important aspect of personal health and hygiene is the use of a top-notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). The use of a crème with a high-end emollient, such as Shea butter, as well as the hydrating power of vitamin E can help ensure that the penis skin stays smooth and supple. In addition, look for a crème that contains vitamins A and D, which are known for their disease-fighting prowess. Alpha lipoic acid, a strong antioxidant that fights free radicals, is also a great addition to a high-quality crème. Though no crème can protect a man against sexually transmitted diseases, good penis care can help ensure a man is cognizant of his body and attuned to the changes that might occur if an STD is contracted.