STI and STD Facts
At New Beginnings Women’s Center, testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia can be performed on the same urine sample that you provide for your pregnancy test, or we can provide this limited STI testing as a single service. If you test positive for one of these infections, treatment is available at no cost to you. Testing and treatment referral appointments are also available for your partner if your test is positive.
WHEN AM I AT RISK?
STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) are common. The term STI describes the presence of an infection in the body, which may or may not be accompanied by symptoms. An STD describes an infection that has progressed and is causing disruption or damage in a person’s body.
The most alarming aspect of current Missouri STI/STD facts is that some STIs/STDs exhibit no signs or symptoms. STIs can spread from person to person during any sexual activity (i.e. vaginal, oral, or anal sex, mutual masturbation, through bodily fluids and, in some cases, skin-to-skin contact. You do not need to have symptoms to be contagious.
COMMON STI/STD SYMPTOMS
-
unusual odor
-
discharge from the vagina or penis
-
burning during urination
-
sores on the genitals or mouth/throat
-
abdominal pain
FACTS ABOUT STIS
-
More than 65 million people in the USA have an incurable STI.
-
One in two sexually active youth will contract an STI by age 25.
-
Many STIs have no symptoms. You can have one and spread it to others without even knowing.
-
Nine million teens and young adults contract STIs each year.
-
If you have had sex, including oral sex, you need to see a doctor to be tested for STIs – your life could depend on it!
CONDOMS AND STI PROTECTION
-
Condoms are unable to protect you against all STIs because many STIs are spread from areas that condoms don’t cover. These include HPV and genital herpes, both of which have no medical cure.
-
When a condom fails it can cause a life to begin (pregnancy) or can cause major health problems of even death (STIs). “Safe sex” can be very risky.
-
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) states it clearly “condom use cannot guarantee absolute protection against any STD.”
If you think you may have an STI, contact us today. You may not be able to change the past, but you can decide what comes next. If you think you have been exposed to an STD, it is important to get tested. New Beginnings provides testing services (women only at this time) for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Trichomoniasis.