Relationship In Love

1. Symptom-free STIs
It is a myth that if you have caught a sexually transmitted infection you will have symptoms such as itching, burning or unusual lumps. MOst people have no symptoms at all. You should have a check-up if you have had unprotected sex, that is not using a condom, or if you are in a relationship and you and your partner want a check-up so you can stop using condoms.

2. Getting checked out
A xexual health check is not painful or difficult to do. Most tests are not intrusive and can be carried out with a urine sample. BLood samples may also be taken. You don’t need to see your GP to be screened for STIs, you can refer yourself to your local genito-urinary medicine clinic, either by calling and making an appointment or walking straight in. As the service is completely confidential, your results will never end up on your GP’s medical records, you can even use a false name.

3. Speedy results
You can get the results for some of your tests on the spot. Some test do need to be sent away, but when the results come back, you can be contacted by text or mobile phone to collect them. You won’t receive a letter at your home if you don’t want one.

4. Rising rates
The STIs you will be tested for depend on your symptoms, if you have any, and lifestyle risk factors, such as being a drug user. About 30% of people with HIV don’t know they’ve got it and there is now extremely effective treatment, so it makes sense to be tested. Official figures show HIV rates have almost doubled in the past 10 years.

5. Syphilis on the up
This is something we’ll need to worry about. It was quite rare in the UK about 15 years ago, but numbers are rising agin, mainly among gay men, but heterosexual rates of infection are also going up. Symptoms include a small sore in the genital area, or a rash that isn’t itchy. But a lot of people have non at all, so getting tested is important. It is very easy to cure with a single shot of penicillin.

6. Chlamydia is common
One in ten sexually active young people will have chlamydia, it is the most commonly diagnosed STI in the nation. Most people have no symptoms, but leaving it untreated can lead to infertility in women, it is the main preventable cause of infertility in the UK. If you do have symptoms, you might notic pain when peeing; men might notice a discharge fromt he penis. Women may also notice pain during or after sex, or lower abdominal pain. Luckly, it can be cleared up with a dose of antibiotics.

7. Similar symptoms
Gonorrhoea causes very similar symptoms to chlamydia, and a lot of people with gonorrhoea will also have chlamydia. So they are often tested for at the same time. It can also cause infertility if left untreated. A lot of those infected may not have any symptoms, but the infection can cause a thick green or yellow discharge in women, and unusual white discharge in men. Like chlamydia, it can easily be cleared up with antibiotics.

8. Antiviral medicine
Other common STIs include genital herpes and genital warts. A lot of people have the herpes virus but are unaware as they don’t have any physical signs. Genital herpes is the same virus that causes cold sores, and while the infection rarely causes significant problems, a flare-up definitely requires use of condoms during sex.

9. The Viagra generation
Age doesn’t make you immune to STIs, in fact more older people are now being diagnosed with them. WHy? People coming out of long-term relationships may have missed the safe sex messages of the 1980s; fears about pregnancy are less so they think they don’t need protection; and there is the Viagra generation, in which men can have sex when they may not have been able to in the past.

10. Emotional Aspects
Often sex education only focuses on the biology, and the emotional side of a sexual relationship can get left out. In the UK, sexual health is seen in terms of defending ourselves. But in Scandinavian countries, which have lower STI rates, it is more about doing the right thing as you care about the person you are with. Encourage your children and single friends to use condoms to prevent both diseases and pregnancy. Using comdoms should be the norm for every new relationship.

11. Types of hepatitis
There ar three common types of hepatitis: A, B and C. They are all viral infections that can infect the liver. Hepatitis A is mainly transmitted through contaminated food and water, while hepatitis B is mainly transmitted through sexual contact and blood. And HEpatitis C is mainly transmitted through the blood, commonly through sharing drug equipment, but occasionally passed on during sex.

12. Chronic conditions
Hepatitis B may not cause any symptoms and most fully recover, but if you go on to develop it long-term, you may need treatment to suppress the virus in your blood. Hepatitis C is usually symptom-free at first, but most people go on to develop chronic infections.

13. Use Protection
You can’t tell if someone could give you an STI just by looking at them. Even the cleanest-looking people could still be infected. If you have had unprotected sex with anyone, that is good enough reason for a check-up.

14. Herpes Helpers
Studies say the amino acid in lysine can help prevent recurring outbreaks and make skin heal quicker. In 2009, Italian researchers foundt hat aloe vera was effective at clearing up genital herpes.

15. Cranberry for Cystitis
Cranberry tablets can prevent cystitis attacks, which can be triggered by sexual activity. It is suggested that cranberries stop certain bacteria attaching themselves to the bladder, which may cause infections.