There are many sexually transmitted diseases in the world, and many individuals are simply not aware of just how prevalent they are. In fact, many older people in the United States are contracting these diseases because they just don’t know of their existence and how easy it is to get one. All it takes is one instance of unprotected sex to be at risk. The most common STDs are chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and human papilloma virus (HPV).

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that can affect genitals, eyes, or throats. It often has no symptoms, but can cause serious damage to the body if not treated immediately. Around 3 million new cases in the U.S. are diagnosed each year. Gonorrhea is also a bacterial infection, but it is less common; around 600,000 individuals are infected per year. Genital herpes can be spread even when the affected partner is not having an outbreak; it consists of small and painful sores on the genitals. Another type of herpes virus can be spread to the mouth, eyes, and nose. Once a person has herpes, it will be in the body for life. There are treatments for symptoms and outbreaks, but no cure. HPV is rapidly becoming more common for several reasons: it can be transmitted via skin contact, it is virtually impossible to test for, and there are almost no symptoms. However, it can lead to cervical cancer in women so it can be very dangerous. The only way to know if a woman is infected is if she has an abnormal pap smear. HIV is less common, but if a person is infected they have virtually no immune system and must be on treatment for symptoms for their lifetime. All sexually transmitted diseases can be dangerous and painful, and safe sex should always be practiced to avoid becoming infected.

Two friends were talking about birth control. One friend was trying to discuss the various options like condoms and birth control pills, when the other announced, “I use a fail-safe birth control.” “What do you use?” the first friend asked. The other’s reply was simple. “It’s called a pair of pants!”
That’s a simple solution, but for most teens it is not that simple. There is so much pressure and influence on teens to be sexually active—and it is not all from their peers. Movies and television have normalized the idea of teens having sex. Sex is sung about and talked about openly. Advertisements for the HPV vaccination make it sound like it is just assumed that teens will have sex.
In great-grandmother’s day, the most common form of pre-marital birth control was a chaperone. It was difficult to do more than hold hands with Aunt Harriet looking on. Queen Victoria’s mother slept with her every night until she was married. Unless she was a heavy sleeper, this would definitely have prevented the little princess from sneaking out at night.
Boys and girls today have more freedom, more choices, and more danger. Sex education should include information on how to use those choices responsibly. Any program we endorse, whether as educators, church leaders, or parents, should have the welfare of teens as the first consideration.
Teens need to be empowered to say no to sex if they want to, and to respect the boy or girl who says no. They need to be taught safety measures to prevent rape or sexual abuse—and what to do if it happens.  They should be taught the emotional consequences of sexual activity and pregnancy. They should also be taught about birth control and disease prevention and treatment, not in a scare tactic way, but as facts.
Let’s not play “Truth or Consequences” with sex ed. Let’s teach the truth, the facts, in hopes of avoiding dangerous consequences of uninformed sexual activity among teens.

Knowing the history of your family’s health problems can help you stay healthy and maybe even save your life…that’s according to health experts and the US Surgeon General. The federal government has created a program called the “My Family Health Portrait.”  That’s a way for Americans to research and document the illnesses, diseases, longevities and physical ailments of their ancestors and relatives.  Doing so can lead to a healthier you.
That’s because once a health care provider knows what’s in a patient’s history, he or she can better assess what risks the current patient has for those, and other health issues.  It also helps the provider look out for early warning signs of disease.
There’s even a website that helps people create their own family health portrait, kind of like a family tree, except it includes Great-grandfather Oscar’s cause of death and Aunt Mildred’s diabetes instead of their places of birth and death. The website is completely private, and allows users to print out their family health trees to keep for their own records, or to share with a doctor.
Even if someone doesn’t know much about his or her family health history, from a doctor’s perspective, every bit helps.  Imagine the difference in a doctor’s care or instructions if he knows his female patient’s mother died of breast cancer when she was in her late 30s.
For those who prefer not to use the internet, a couple of phone calls or visits to siblings, parents or relatives should allow you to compile a family health history of your own to take to every doctor’s visit. It is recommended to keep this compilation of records in an organized, safe place with other documents related to health, like insurance.
It obviously won’t act as a crystal ball for your future health problems, but talking to your relatives might identify trends you and your family didn’t realize existed.

Sexual intimacy is a fundamental part of being human. Affection, love, and sex can contribute to personal well-being and a healthy relationship with a partner. While there are many positive aspects of sexual intimacy, there are also many sexual illnesses and negative consequences that can affect a person’s health.   Learning about the factors that impact reproduction and sexual function is extremely important in preventing unwanted pregnancies and STD’s. The unwillingness of people who choose not to educate themselves about sexual health, nor discuss their personal sexual concerns can face serious sexual health disorders.  Sexual health disorders can include:  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, such as: HIV/AIDS, Chlamydia, Herpes, Genital warts, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Trichomoniasis  • Infertility problems • Cancer • Pelvic inflammatory disease • Endometriosis • Urinary tract infections • Incontinence • Painful intercourse • Erectile dysfunction • Diminished sexual drive  Sexually transmitted diseases are the most common communicable diseases in the U.S.A today. There are 13 million men and women who are affected by STD’s in America each year; two-thirds of those who are affected are teenagers and young adults under the age of 25. Almost every STD can effectively be treated if diagnosed and treated in the early stages.   Safe and effective birth control options include:  • Abstinence • Birth Control Pill • Birth Control Patch • Birth Control Sponge • NuvaRing • Depo-Provera shot • Diaphragm • Cervical Cap • Male Condom • Female Condom • IUD • Spermicide • Morning After Pill   Sexual disorders can impact not only the physical health of an individual, but also their mental and emotional health. Poor self-image and relationship problems may arise as well. Being responsible by arming yourself with proper knowledge on birth control options and STD prevention is the best defense for unwanted pregnancies and sexual disorders.

With so much incorrect information on sexually transmitted diseases going around, it’s no wonder many teenagers are confused and contracting STD’s at an alarming rate. In fact, teenagers account for the largest group of people with STD’s.
Here are some common misconceptions about sexually transmitted diseases:
Myth: You cannot get STD’s by having oral or anal sex – FALSE!With ANY type of sex, or simply even sexual contact, there is the possibility of contracting an STD. STD’s are spread by viruses or bacteria that enter the body through tiny tears or cuts in the genitals, anus, or mouth. Certain STD’s, such as genital warts or herpes, can be spread through skin-to-skin contact with infected sores or areas.
The best way to protect yourself is by using a condom or dental dam when engaging in oral or anal sex.
Myth: If you or your partner has an STD, it will be visible – FALSE!The truth is that you can never tell if a person has an STD just by looking at them. Since STD’s rarely cause symptoms, those who don’t regularly get checked out by a doctor will never know that they have an STD. It’s possible that a person carrying the virus can spread it to their partner without ever having a visible outbreak.
It’s extremely important to see a doctor before you have sex, even if you and your partner think you’re clean. Get tested for STD’s thereafter on a regular basis and always use protection.
Myth:  Having sex in a hot tub or pool is ideal because the chlorine will kill any bacteria or viruses – FALSE!Nice try. Chlorine will not kill STD-causing viruses or bacteria, nor will it kill sperm. It makes no difference how hot the water is or how much chlorine is in it; you can still get an STD or become pregnant.
There is no substitution for a condom. In order to prevent contracting an STD or pregnancy, always use a condom. Just remember, latex condoms can break down in hot tubs.
Practicing sexual health is the best way to prevent pregnancy and STD’s.

The birth control pill, commonly referred to as “The Pill”, is an oral contraceptive pill used by females as a birth control method. The combination pill contains man-made female hormones- estrogen and progestin, which are naturally produced in the ovaries. The hormones in the pill suppress the pituitary gland, which stops ovulation. Ovulation is the development and release of an egg in the ovary. If ovulation stops and there is no egg to be fertilized, then a woman cannot get pregnant.
Progestin also aids in preventing sperm from reaching the egg. The mucus in the cervix is thickened, making it hard for sperm to reach an egg that may have been released. Also, the lining of the womb is made thinner in order to prevent a fertilized egg from attaching.
The pill is intended to be taken for 21 days straight. The last remaining 7 pills are placebo pills, meaning that they don’t contain any hormones. A woman will have her period when she stops taking the pills that contain the hormones and begin taking the last 7 pills. If this is the first time a woman is taking the pill, then it’s important to use an additional form of protection, such as condoms, to prevent pregnancy. After the first 7 days the pill will begin working alone to prevent pregnancy.
If a woman forgets to take the pill or accidentally skips a dose, then she is at risk for pregnancy. A backup form of birth control should be used, or she should avoid having sex for a little while. The pill is a very safe and effective form of birth control if taken everyday. Even missing 1 day can increase the chances of pregnancy.
There are positive side effects that most women are delighted with. The pill usually makes periods lighter, improves acne, reduces cramps, and also protects against certain forms of diseases and cancers.
Unfortunately, the pill does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Continuing to use condoms while on the pill is a good idea because condoms protect against STD’s.

There are numerous sexual health issues that affect men only. One of the most common sexual health problems that men suffer from is impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction. Impotence is the inability to achieve and maintain an erection during sexual intercourse. There are a lot of misconceptions that impotence only occurs when a man is stressed, smokes too much, or is over a certain age. While these things may have some truth to them, they are not the only factors.
Here are just a few possible causes of impotence:• Irregular blood pressure or blood sugar levels• Hormonal imbalances• Certain medications• Heavy alcohol consumption• Heavy smoking• Diseases: Liver disease, Kidney disease, Pituitary disease• Testicle disorder• Physical damage: Pelvic injury, Bladder injury, Spinal cord injury, Penile injury Testicle injury, Prostate surgery• Nerve disorders• Brain disorders• Psychological distress: Anxiety, Stress, Guilt, Fatigue, Depression, Performance anxiety, Fear of STD’s, Sadness, Emotional disorder
This list only encompasses a few possible causes of impotence; there are many, many more. Interestingly enough, nearly 70% of impotence cases are caused by kidney disease, diabetes, or an underlying disease. While psychological aspects such as fear and anxiety are linked to impotence, they are rarely the cause of it- they are typically the reaction to impotence.
Treatment for Impotence:Impotence can usually always be diagnosed and treated for men of all ages. First, a doctor has to check if you have any medical problems or are taking certain medications that may cause erectile dysfunction. The treatment will then depend on what issues are actually causing impotence. The doctor may prescribe an oral medication, such as Viagra, inject medication directly in the penis, prescribe a hormone medication, hormone treatments, or suggest therapy or counseling to help address psychological issues.
Couples should discuss any sexual health concerns they have, including impotency, in order to treat the dysfunction and strengthen their relationship.

As the President of the United States changes, many changes also occur with public education programs and government funding. When George W. Bush was president, he instated a public education health program that discussed abstinence only, instead of informing high school students of the risks involved with having unprotected sex. Instead of teaching about forms of contraception available, how to avoid unwanted pregnancy, and the necessary steps to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases, the teachers were forced to promote abstinence only. This is simply unrealistic, and Planned Parenthood, along with many other health organizations, took a stand against this policy.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America helped to develop a more realistic approach to sex education, performing surveys in schools across the country and compiling documents designed to inform and educate high school students about how to protect themselves when engaging in sexual activity. In the surveys, it was determined that teaching abstinence-only sex education does not decrease the number of people who are having sex; instead it just allows uninformed individuals to engage in sexual activity that can lead to sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancy. Neither program actually decreases the number of students who are engaging in sexual activity. Instead, when students are taught the risks involved in having sex, they are more likely to use protection and take precautions against unwanted risks, such as disease or pregnancy, since they are more aware and understand what could happen if they have unprotected sex. Planned Parenthood clinics also offer comprehensive sex education to individuals, since they may not be getting the necessary information anywhere else. Teaching sex education in schools is crucial to prevent the continued spread of sexually transmitted disease, and is an issue that Planned Parenthood will continue to fight until comprehensive sex education is taught in schools throughout America.

Planned Parenthood clinics offer testing services for an array of sexually transmitted diseases. While many do not want to face this growing problem, it simply must be realized that more and more individuals are engaging in unprotected sex and the diseases are spreading faster than ever. Some sexually transmitted diseases don’t even have symptoms, so some people will never know they have one and may pass the disease to partners unknowingly. Routine testing is necessary to diagnose and treat these diseases, so that spreading can be controlled. When a patient visits a Planned Parenthood clinic for any reason, a panel of tests can be administered to check for most of the sexually transmitted diseases. However, patients must ask for these tests; they will not be performed unless specifically requested. Anyone who engages in unprotected sex should be tested frequently, especially before having sex with a new partner. Based on the type of sexual acts, a physician or health care provider can help determine which diseases the patient would be at risk for, and which tests should be performed.
Once a test comes back positive, the staff at Planned Parenthood clinics can provide treatment and counseling, as well as discuss safer sex practices in order to avoid similar problems in the future. Many sexually transmitted diseases are completely treatable through antibiotics, and can be cleared up within just a few days or weeks. Routine testing can help people to catch the diseases early, before further damage is caused to their bodies. For example, untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women, which can in turn affect a woman’s ability to conceive a child. The clinics also offer an array of contraception designed at helping to prevent disease. However, some sexually transmitted diseases can be contracted even through safe sex practices, so individuals should be tested frequently even if using condoms.