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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
Safe Sex: hard can it be?
Sex can be a risky business. Did you know that every six seconds someone acquires a sexually transmissible infection (STI)? STIs are a very common and important group of diseases in humans. Although we can’t get rid of them altogether, we can avoid getting them.
Not all STIs are harmful. But they can cause potentially dangerous complications in men, women, children and newborn babies. Particularly, if we don’t find out we've got one until its too late.
Because people don't like to talk about STIs, many people kid themselves that they don't exist. Lots of people reckon that "it could never happen to me". Unfortunately, this won't make them go away.
How would I know if I had an STI?
These are some signs and symptoms that may indicate that you have an STI:
- smelly, cloudy or yellowish discharge or pus coming from your penis
- blisters, sores, warts or lumps on your penis or any of the surrounding skin
- itchiness around the penis
- if it hurts when you piss
- if it hurts when you have sex
- fever
- swollen glands
- unexplained weight loss or tiredness.
If you have any of these symptoms you should see your own doctor or local sexual health clinic for a checkup. It may not be an STI, but a doctor will be able to diagnose the cause and treat it if necessary.
Up to 70% of people with an STI do not have any symptoms. Even if you don't have any symptoms, you may want to go to your doctor for a checkup or call the Sexual Health Clinic (Ware St Kalgoorlie) 90212622.
Remember STIs often travel together, so if you think you've got one STI ask your doctor to check you out for others as well.
How can I stop myself from getting an STI?
The best way to avoid catching an STI is to practice safe sex. Safe sex is any form of sexual activity which does not involve the exchange of bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal fluids and blood. Using a condom every time you have sex is one of the most well known forms of practicing safe sex, but it isn't the only way. For more information check out http://www.fpwa-health.org.au/safesex.htm.
If you have any questions about your sexual health you can ring the FPWA Sexual Health Helpline on 08 9227 6178 (1800 198 205 for country callers) or email your questions to tis@fpwa-health.org.au.
For more sexual health information visit www.fpwa-health.org.au
Reprinted with the kind permission of Family Planning Western Australia.
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