Urgent! Here are 5 ways to prevent sexual diseases that can be done

The circulation of various myths and the lack of information regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs), aka venereal diseases, is still a big problem that needs to be straightened out. Many people think that STIs only occur in certain groups, such as commercial sex workers (CSWs). In fact, this is not the case. To straighten this out, I will discuss various important things about sexually transmitted diseases as well as prevention that can be done.

Everyone can get sexually transmitted diseases

You need to understand that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) do not only attack commercial sex workers, but anyone who is sexually active.

This is because everyone who is sexually active has a risk of contracting STDs because the greatest transmission occurs through intimate contact or other sexual contact.

Remember, sexually transmitted diseases are not only transmitted through vaginal sex, but can also be spread through anal and oral sex.

A person's risk of contracting venereal disease will be higher if you have more than one sexual partner. However, someone who only has one partner, such as husband and wife, still has the risk of getting venereal disease.

Even if you and your partner don't have sexual activity with other people, your past sexual history can also affect it.

If one partner turns out to frequently change sexual partners, he is at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease from the previous partner who may be infected.

In fact, the risk of sexually transmitted diseases can also occur to their partners at a later date. Venereal disease caused by infection, such as vaginal yeast infection, can even occur without previous sexual intercourse.

This infection grows and develops in people who do not maintain vaginal hygiene or have diseases that weaken the immune system, such as diabetes.

Although it is not a sexually transmitted infection, the risk of experiencing a yeast infection or vaginal candidiasis can increase when women start having sexually active sex.

Therefore, you should be wiser in sexual contact. Without prevention efforts, the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), whether from intimate relationships or not, can affect anyone who is sexually active.

The right step in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases

To prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), in general there are several steps you can take, namely:

1. Avoid sex before marriage

Sexual contact through the vagina, rectum, and mouth is equally at risk of transmitting venereal disease.

Therefore, avoid having sexual contact before you get married to prevent venereal disease. Moreover, to change partners without knowing with certainty previous sexual history.

Likewise in adolescents who have sexual intercourse too early, the risk of transmitting STIs will increase.

The reason is, if teenage girls' intimate organs are injured, the ability of the organ tissues to repair themselves is not yet perfect.

Besides being able to cause sexually transmitted infections, this is also a high risk of causing cervical cancer due to the HPV virus.

Most teenage girls and boys also do not understand how to have safe and responsible sex. As a result, without sufficient knowledge, adolescents are at a very high risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections.

Therefore, it is important for parents to provide sexual education as an effort to prevent STIs in children.

2. Be loyal to one partner

Even if only one partner, such as husband and wife, can still contract venereal disease, being faithful to one partner can lower the risk.

This is because the hobby of changing sexual partners is at risk of contracting HIV and other venereal diseases, especially if your partner is positive for an infectious disease.

In preventing sexually transmitted diseases, try to stay loyal to one partner to reduce the risk of experiencing it.

3. Get the HPV vaccine

Before you are sexually active, getting HPV vaccination can be an effective way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

This vaccine can protect you from various HPV viruses that can cause genital warts or even cervical cancer.

If you find that you already have the HPV virus in your body, this vaccine can also help prevent other types of viruses that may be transmitted from other people.

Apart from HPV, there are also vaccines for the prevention of other STDs, such as the hepatitis vaccine.

4. Use condoms

Using contraceptives, such as condoms, is one way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

According to the CDC, latex condoms can protect you from viruses and bacteria that are transmitted through semen, vaginal fluids, and blood.

Although not 100% effective, proper condom use is very important in preventing STIs. Especially if you have sex with people whose sexual history is not certain.

5. Check before doing any treatment using needles

Sexually transmitted diseases are not only transmitted through sexual contact. You can get this disease through various intermediaries that you may not have thought before.

The association of obstetricians and genitals in America explains that you need to be careful about the risk of transmitting STDs.

Sexually transmitted diseases can infect you in a number of ways, including using repeated needles, blood transfusions while pregnant, or getting tattoos.

For the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, always make sure all items to be inserted into the body, such as syringes, are completely sterile and have never been used.

Should testing be used to prevent sexually transmitted diseases?

In my opinion, you really need to do a venereal disease test if you are sexually active. You need to be aware if you experience various complaints that can indicate symptoms of venereal disease.

These symptoms include the appearance of lumps on the genitals as well as a burning sensation and itching that doesn't go away and can even get worse.

If you experience these conditions, do not hesitate to immediately visit the nearest skin and genital specialist.

However, not only you, your partner should also be asked to do this test together. For those of you who are about to get married, doing a venereal disease test can help prevent the transmission of sexual diseases after marriage.

This is because not all venereal diseases show signs that are clear and visible to the naked eye. Usually, the doctor will check for sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis.

There is no need to be embarrassed or offended to have it checked out because this is done solely for the long-term health of you and your partner.

In short, make sure you avoid sexually transmitted diseases by taking the various precautions mentioned earlier.

In addition, look for as much information as possible about venereal diseases to avoid mistakes and misleading myths.

If you have any complaints or questions, don't hesitate to consult a doctor.