There are many sexually transmitted diseases and most of them do not produce symptoms. Not treating them can cause infertility, chronic pain, cancer, damage to different organs or a condition in the central nervous system, among others.
Within the framework of World Sexual Health Day, which is commemorated this year on September 4, we spoke with doctors Tatiana Peña and Hoover Canaval Erazo, obstetrician-gynecologists from our Institution, about sexually transmitted diseases, the importance of protecting oneself, to visit the doctor in the event of any anomaly and the need to educate the youngest on the subject.
Figures provided by the World Health Organization show that every day, more than one million people in the world contract a sexually transmitted infection; annually, an average of 374 million people contract one of these diseases: chlamydiasis, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis; It is also estimated that more than 500 million people between the ages of 15 and 49 are carriers of the virus that causes genital herpes simplex virus infection.
“Most of these diseases are contracted through sexual contact, but they can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth, among them syphilis, HIV and Hepatitis B”, points out Dr. Canaval.
For her part, Dr. Peña points out that among the most frequent bacterial diseases are gonorrhea and chlamydia and among the viral condylomatosis, HIV and the herpes virus. “They affect adolescents more, as well as those people who engage in risky sexual behavior, immunocompromised people who have diseases such as HIV or decompensated diabetes, and those who have previously had sexually transmitted diseases are at risk of suffering from one of them again” , mentions the obstetrician-gynecologist.
Hence the importance of pedagogy on this subject, “it is necessary to talk about this with the youngest, both at home and in schools. Talk about responsibility and the importance of taking care of yourself”, says Dr. Hoover Canaval.
Symptoms
Although in most cases these diseases do not cause symptoms, some alterations that represent warning signs may occur:
- Vaginal discharge that changes color and odor.
- Ulcers in the genital area.
- Condylomas or warts
- Itch
- Erosion
- Discharge from the urethra.
Prevention
- Condom use. It is not only to avoid pregnancy, but also to reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
- Responsible sexual relations.
- Have a stable partner.
- Sexual responsibility – education.
- Vaccine against human papillomavirus. It must be put in adolescence.
In our Clinic we have world-class specialists who stand out for their knowledge, expertise and experience in managing both female and male sexual health. We have advanced technology for the management, diagnosis and treatment of patients.