STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases, are considered medically some of the most difficult diseases to contract because of the extreme nature of the contact that is required. But it is also true that STDs are becoming increasingly common, especially among women under the age of 30. Most surprisingly it has been suggested that the largest growing population for STD infection is women over the age of 50. It is also important to note that some STDs, which are incredibly common for women, are transmitted directly from a partner while others may be caused from sexual contact without your partner having any type of virus or bacteria.
Perhaps the most historically common STD for women is Chlamydia. In women the bacteria will infect the cervix and can have no symptoms for a very long time after exposure, which means that the chances of unknowingly passing it on are very high. The most common symptoms of chlamydia are pain during sex and an unusual discharge from the vagina. Even if there are no symptoms it is important to get tested if it is believed there has been exposure since it can cause a lot of damage if left untreated. This STD is easily treated with medication.
Another common STD of the bacterial kind is Gonorrhea. It is typically similar to chlamydia in that it affects the same sexual areas and has the same effects if not treated. Also like chlamydia, it can often show no symptoms or very few symptoms like pain during urination. One of the most important things to mention is that gonorrhea can also be transmitted with oral sex, so don’t assume that it’s safe because gonorrhea of the throat can be very difficult to treat.
One of the more commonly overlooked STDs is Trichomoniasis. This is exceptionally common with sexually active women and is often mistaken for a simple yeast infection. A lot of the symptoms are similar with a vaginal odor, vaginal discharge, pain during sex, and itching of the genital regions. It is easy to understand why it gets mistaken for a yeast infection but needs to be treated. Both partners always need to be treated if one has contracted trichomoniasis or the treated partner can get infected again until it is cleared up completely.
A recent study by the CDC presented what is being called by medical professionals the fastest rising STD in the United States with HPV or Human Papilloma Virus. An early study in 1997 indicated that almost one fourth of the sexually active female population were infected with HPV, and many professionals seem to suggest this number may have increased to half in recent years. The most difficult part is that some strains of this virus have no symptoms at all, and occasionally even just a condom is not completely effective against infection.
Other strains will cause genital warts, though this symptom is most common in women, as men typically have no symptoms. HPV is an incurable STD though study seems to suggest that if the virus is contracted in the teens or early 20s, it may burn itself out and resolve on its own without a few years. The scariest part about this particular STD is that is has not only been linked to causing cervical cancer but also anal cancer, penile cancer, and head & neck cancers as well. Several years ago a vaccine was released for women to protect themselves from contracting this deadly virus, and that same vaccination was approved for use in men as well.
The best way to prevent STDs is to practice safe sex. Have an open conversation with your partner about if they may have been exposed to something and that they have been tested recently. Proper condom use is very important to prevent STD infection. These infections do not have to be common; a little bit of knowledge and practical sexual practices can keep any young woman safe.
Sources:
"Top Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) You Should Know About" - http://std.about.com/od/overviewofstds/tp/toptenstds .htm
"Common STD Symptoms in Women" - http://www.livestrong.com/article/106342-common-std- symptoms-women/