I know you’ve heard it, because I know I’ve heard it: STD’s are serious sexual problems, and many people who have them don’t know that they have them.

That fact is the reason why we should be more careful, why we should test ourselves more often, and why we should not just sleep with anybody. STD’s are serious; And they’re only more serious when we don’t know we have them.

But, why are they more serious when we don’t know we have them? Because when you don’t know you have the problem, your body has to fight the problem by itself. No medications and no help is provided to the health problem. And, if you allow symptoms to persist without knowing that you have them, you make the sexual problem even worse. This happens, more often than not, because symptoms caused by STD’s are highly unnoticeable, and they linger in your body without you being mentally aware of it.

With that being said, I’m going to fill you guys in on what STD’s are most likely hiding in your body. I’m also going to tell you about what you should do in case you have one of the following STD’s.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a very commonly known STD that is spread by any of the following:

• vaginal sex
• oral sex
• anal sex

And, each type of sex can provide the body with infections in different areas. For example, vaginal sex can cause infections in the genitals, anal sex can cause infections in the rectum, and oral sex can cause infections in the throat.

Remember, even if you use condoms, you are not safe from STD’s.

Unfortunately, men that have gonorrhea are unlikely to experience symptoms. Therefore, you probably don’t know you have the disease unless you were to go in and get tested by your doctor.

If you do experience symptoms, you may see a discolored discharge coming from your penis. Such a discharge will be a yellow or green variation. Pain may accompany this discharge, but it is very rare. Such symptoms usually happen up to five days after sexual intercourse.

If you see such symptoms occur, get to your doctor as soon as possible. And, get tested after each person you sleep with. If gonorrhea is left unchecked, inflammation of the testicles may happen, therefore resulting in infertility for the remainder of your life. But, if you go in sooner rather than later, you can treat most strains of the infection with antibiotics and get it out of your system.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is just like Gonorrhea; It’s spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. As a matter of fact, most facts about Chlamydia are relevant to most facts of Gonorrhea. Head all warnings for both talked about under the section of this article titled ‘Gonorrhea.’

Remember, even if you use condoms, you are not safe from STD’s.

Symptoms that point to signs of Chlamydia are discharge from the penis that is abnormal and experiencing a burning sensation while going to the bathroom.

If Chlamydia is not treated right away, it can cause scaring to happen in the part of your penis known as the urethra (the tube which you pee out of). This, in turn, makes it extremely difficult for a man to pee. Such instances may require drastic measures to be taken, such as surgery.

Go to the doctor if you notice any of these symptoms arising. Get checked after every sexual partner you have. Chlamydia can be completely cured with antibiotics.

Herpes

There are two types of herpes viruses:

• One type of herpes targets your mouth in the form of cold sores
• The other type of herpes targets your genitals

Both follow each other around; Let me explain.

For example, if a woman has herpes of the mouth, and you go to eat her out, you can spread said herpes to her genitals. If a woman has herpes of the genitals, and you go to eat her out and then kiss her, you can spread the herpes to her mouth. As you can also spread it to your genitals or your mouth, if you get where I’m going with this. And, the worst part is that even if no signs or symptoms are happening, you can still spread the STD.

Remember, even if you use condoms, you are not safe from STD’s.

Signs and symptoms that may occur to those that have herpes are blisters found on the genitalia, burning sensations around the areas, and irritation around the areas.

Additional signs and symptoms may rise when the virus is first affecting the body. Such signs and symptoms include, but are not limited to:

• Fever
• Chills
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Headaches
• Fatigue

Unfortunately, no matter how early or how late you seek care from your doctor, you cannot cure this STD. However, there are drugs that can ease the not-so-pleasant symptoms.

HPV- Human Papilloma Virus

There are two types of this STD:

• One type that causes genital warts
• One type that can lead up to harmful cancers of the genitals

Remember, even if you use condoms, you are not safe from STD’s.

Unfortunately, HPV never seems to have visible signs and symptoms that it is present within the body.

Most strains of the virus don’t cause genital warts, and if they do, they’re very, very tiny.

Cures for the disease has not yet been found, but there are treatment methods to combat signs and symptoms. For example, warts can be treated by freezing them off the body. This does not get rid of the infection, though. The warts can come back, and the infection can still spread.

Many health care professionals suggest that young men get the vaccination for the virus as early as 21. Check with your doctor and see if the vaccine is right for you.

By Jenny Lyn