Every relationship out here today, whether it is short or long, young, or mature will come to a point of intimacy. Intimacy, whether it is physical, spiritual, or emotional is a very big step for two people to take towards one another. In order to arrange these steps, there is also a great deal of trust, respect, and communication that has to go along with this. Sorry to say, but anything else would just be a foolish decision! In this post I will focus on physical intimacy the most, because although there are rewards and consequences that follow each type of intimacy, the consequences of physical intimacy are a direct blow to our health. Also, many people do not take the time to really
communicate with their partners before they begin physical intimacy, and are sometimes left with regrets.
Sexually transmitted diseases, (STDs), are perhaps the most prevalent consequence of any sexual encounter. The Center for Disease Control, (CDC), reports an estimated 19 million cases of STDs each year. (
http://stdtesting.com/how-many-people-have-stds). But this is the scary part, not every case is reported. This is because, not everyone will develop symptoms, or decide to get tested. Yet, even worse is that half of this 19 million are of people only ages 15-24 years of age. (
http://stdtesting.com/how-many-people-have-stds). It is almost safe to say that if you are sexually active, you will come in contact, if not contract, an STD in your lifetime.
The Most Common STD's:
Chlamydia-is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease in the US alone. (
http://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/STDFact-Chlamydia.htm). Notice in the graph below chlamydia is the highest reported STD in the year 2009 (and still is).
Cases of STDs reported by state health departments: United States, 1997-2009
http://www.avert.org/std-statistics-america.htm
Chlamydia, like most sexually transmitted diseases is "silent", meaning symptoms often do not occur. This contributes to its wide spread, because, let's face it, if there's nothing bothering us we will not see a doctor. Going untreated, this infection travels throughout the entire reproductive system, causing serious and lasting damage. For women, it can contribute to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, (a disease causing inflammation of a women's uterus, and fallopian tubes), ectopic pregnancy (pregnant occurring outside of the uterus), and infertility in both men and women.
If you are one of the lucky ones, and do experience symptoms they will most likely be:
-pain during urination
-abnormal discharge
-swelling in the genital area
-abdominal pain (PID)
-common infection symptoms (sore throat, runny nose, fever, headache, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea)
Check here for more info:
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/stds-hiv-safer-sex/chlamydia-4266.htm
Thankfully, there is a cure for chlamydia. Once diagnosed you and your doctor will be able to decide which antibiotic treatment is best for you.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-like chlamydia is also extremely common and extremely dangerous. Shockingly, not alot of people are well educated on this STD infection, yet many people live with it. Most often people only associate HPV as the virus that causes cervical cancer in women. Although it does, this disease extends way further than that. Like most, HPV symptoms are silent, in fact the only way to really know if you have it is to take responsibility and speak with your gynecologist and have a pap smear done. (A pap smear is a gynecological procedure performed with female patients to check a woman's cervix and uterus, and make sure everything is functioning well). When your gynecologist receives an abnormal result in your pap smear test, he or she will then proceed to find out the cause. This is how HPV is detected in women. Sadly, there is no way to successfully test a man for HPV infection, (which is what, I believe, contributes also to its wide spread).
There are more than 100 different strains (types) of HPV most with their own complications. The most common HPV complications include genital warts and cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, penis, head, throat, and neck. Approximately 12 of HPV can cause warts, the most common are types 6 and 11. Additionally, there are at least 15 different strains to cause cancers, most common being types 16 and 18. (
http://www.acog.org/publications/patients_education/).
Unfortunately there is no cure for HPV. Yet HPV, especially in young people can, in most cases, eventually be destroyed naturally by the bodies immune system.(
http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm) if, however the body is unable to destroy the virus, there is still a good chance that the virus (depending on which strain you have) will not harm you in any way at all.
Genital Herpes (HSV-2)-many people are familiar with the fact that a cold-sore is a sign of herpes infection. That infection is unbelievably common, and is referred to as HSV-1. HSV-2, is quit simply cold sores or blisters found on or around the genital area. The transmission of HSV-1 can contribute to HSV-2 infection, especially through oral sexual contact, and vice versa. There should be no surprise that this STD infection can also go silent, and undetected. HSV-2 can live within a person's body for a long time before he or she may experience an outbreak, (symptoms unique to HSV-2).
Symptpms associated with HSV-2 are simple; the on-set of an outbreak, (blisters, sores, and swelling). Complications of herpes is both physical and psychological, (psychological in the sense that those who know they are infected often experience depression or feelings of social shame and/or rejection). Physical complications involve pregnant women; if newly infected the virus can cause serious brain damgae to the baby, also during birth (only during an active outbreak) the virus can be passed onto the baby, infecting the eyes.There is no cure for HSV-1 or HSV-2, however your doctor can prescribe treatments, if symptoms are too severe.
Read More at
http://www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)-HIV and AIDS seems almost as a worst nightmare to many people, and can often make people very uncomfortable when brought up. So much so, that many will neglect to get proper testing, and neglect to face the real facts about it. To be honest, AIDS is one of the most fatal diseases worldwide, so it is understandable to see why the subject, possibility, or even reality of it may be so hard to handle. Yet, notice I only mention AIDS as being fatal and not HIV. Although HIV does eventually lead to AIDS it can be managed for quite some time, almost so that in many people the possibility of progressing to late stage HIV, or AIDS, is not even a haunting grief. I can not even share with you, the many stories and blessed testimonies I've heard of individuals in my community who were able to survive years with the HIV virus, and who live healthy, manageable lifestyles. This is all because they took initiative in their health, and became knowledgeable.
HIV is a virus that is spread by bodily fluids, including blood, semen, and vaginal secretions. It is not always passed through sexual contact, however, the top transmissions are sexual contact, mother-to-fetus/birth/breast-feeding, shared drug use(or injecting drugs), and faulty blood transfusions.(
http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/communicable/hiv/basic/transmission.aspx).
There's no need for me to say, but there will not always, mostly never, be any clear signs that you've been infected. Many suggest that it will take a few to ten years to begin developing actual signs and symptoms of HIV. Primary symptoms will follow at least two weeks after infection, but these only include the symptoms that you experience whenever any type of infection inters your body, they include: swollen glands, fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, nausea, and vomiting. More obvious signs will come a while later, for example:
-weight loss
-fatigue
-persistent sweating
-persistent yeast and fungal infections
-blisters and sores
-rash
(
http://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/guide/hiv-symptoms).
But this does not mean testing will not help to determine. Never play doctor for yourself, the only clear way to know if you are infected with anything is to get tested. There are various types of HIV testing, which include antibody testing, blood counts, which test how many T-cells, cells that fight infections, are in your blood, rapid testing, antigen testing, PC4 testing, and fourth generation testing. Read more for accurate information at, Avert.org, (
http://www.avert.org/testing.htm).
Tragically there is no cure for the HIV infection. This is why it is important that we as individuals take proper measures in protecting ourselves, through both knowledge and , keyword: communication. Also, if you or anyone you know may be dealing with either the possibility or reality of HIV/AIDS, you're not alone. There are a slew of professional services that provide emotional and even financial support, and in complete confidence. If ever you find yourself dealing with this, never go through this alone. There are hotlines, and resource centers to help: (follow the link for one near you,
http://www.thebody.com/index/hotlines/state.html). They can help!
Gonorrhea-if you refer back to the chart, is right behind chlamydia. The CDC estimated that more than 700,000 new cases of gonorrhea are reported each year in the United States alone. (
http://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea.htm). It is a bacterial infection, also like chlamydia, that thrives in moist places of the reproductive system and urinary tract, and cause inflammation. Infection can even spread to the eyes.
Symptoms are of course rare, but include:
women
-abdominal pain
-spotting or bleeding between periods
-pain or discomfort to the vagina
-pain during urination and frequent urination
men
-abnormal discharge
-painful and frequent urination
-sore testicles
(
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/stds-hiv-safer-sex/gonorrhea-4269.htm).
Complication, if untreated, can include:
In women
-scarring of the fallopian tubes
-PID
-ectopic pregnancy
In men
-scarring of the urethra
-abscess (pus) around the urethra.
In both
-infertility
-joint infections (commonly arthritis)
-heart infection
-meningitis
(
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004526/).
Gonorrhea can be easily tested, as well as treated. Yet the first step is testing. Refer to the link for more information on gonorrhea testing,
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004526/.
Syphilis-Don't be fooled, the STD, often nick-named "the great imitator", (
http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis.htm), is still around. Syphilis decades ago was a very, largely common STD. After the discovery of penicillin, many professionals believed the frequency of the infection would decrease. No, years later it is still thriving. Syphilis is a bacterial infection, and comes in three stages: primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, and latent syphilis. It is spread through direct contact with the syphilis sore found on the genitals, anus, or mouth, and from mother-to-fetus, (this is called congenital syphilis
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002320/).
Primary syphilis is the first stage in symptoms. Usually withing 3 weeks after infection, a small round, painless sore will form but then heal on its own, and later progress toward stage two. (
http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis.htm).
Secondary syphilis occurs with rash in different areas of the body, but most commonly the hands and feet. The rash will also heal on its own. Also associated with this stage are the common infection symptoms, (i.e. swollen glands, sore throat, headache, fever, fatigue, nausea). (
http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis.htm).
Latent Stage is serious and can be fatal. Latency begins after the first stage and can remain in the body for many years. This stage is also where the real complication of the disease begin to take affect. They include:
damage to
-brain
-nerves
-eyes
-joints
-liver
-blood vessels
-bones
(
http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis.htm).
Syphilis is both preventable and treatable. Yet, it is important to consider prevention, rather than to consider these types of complications. Just becuase an STD is curable does not always mean there isnt damge that cant be undone.
Trichomoniasis-is a parasitic infection, more common in women. This is because the parasite is responsible for a common vaginal condition, called vaginitis, (uncomfortable, irritation, and inflammation of the vagina). (
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/stds-hiv-safer-sex/trichomoniasis-4282.htm). If vaginitis does not occur, then there usually are no other symptoms associated, especially with men.
Trich can be cured, but it is up to you to speak up and ask for testing. Often doctors over look smaller STDs such as this, and will only routinely check you for the four main STDs; HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
Pubic Lice (scabies, and crabs)-Just when you thought your were safe with a condom...well think again! Pubic lice are common and very contagious, especially since you do not even have to actually have sex, come in contact with bodily fluids, and or still wear a condom and be able contract these. However these just might be the least harmful of the big scary monsters we just talked about. Although, I can only imagine the amount of discomfort these little parasites can bring. If you experience any itching, especially persistent, do be afraid to test. Your doctor will be able to prescribe a topical cream or lotion. Note, however that if you are infected or may think you are, take necessary measures to protect those around you, especially those in your household, by staying clean, wash all clothes and linen in hot water, and try not share clothes and linen.
Read more at
http://www.womens-health.co.uk/crabs.html.
- Although hepatitis is not really an STD it is a complication that can potentially come from STD infection. Read more about the disease on the Center for Disease Control website. Or follow this link, http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/.
So you see, this is why communication is important. Communicate to your partner, not only your concerns about his or her sexual history or sexual health status, but also communicate to them about what you want to take place within your intimacy. If you prefer not to get physical, then your partner should respect that, and agree to perhaps another level of intimacy. Remember there is nothing abnormal about abstinence, (which is 100 percent effective in the prevention of most STDs, I say most because kissing can still lead to certain infections), if that is what you prefer. If you and your partner trust one another, and would like to take the level of physical intimacy, still communicate with one another all your concerns, do not hold anything back, (you'll be surprised by what your partner may reveal by simply asking), and remember if you do not trust his or her reaction or response, then you don't have to make any decisions yet. Never pressure yourself, and definitely don't allow anyone else to pressure you, even if it is "subtle pressure", such as "babe you know I love you", or, "you can trust me"!
In the end intimacy is a wonderful experience, whether it is spiritual, emotional, or physical; the experience and journey two people are able to share together is priceless. Yet, the price of taking that step and being uncertain of the consequences can be fatal.
