Why it is important to be aware of the issues related to STIs

Let us know some key facts about sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

• Every single day, more than one million STIs are acquired worldwide – and a majority of these are symptomatic, which means their symptoms do not show themselves.
• It is estimated that more than 500 million people between the ages of 15 to 50 have HSV infection.
• Resistance to the drug used to combat gonorrhoea is causing concern worldwide as it is an impediment to reducing the associated health problems.
• STIs can lead to many other problems, like stigmatization, cancers, pregnancy complications, and enhance the risk of one’s contracting HIV.

Aren’t these alarming?

Any sane person would appreciate the fact that most of these infections can be caught in infancy through testing. It is vital to go in for a complete panel of comprehensive STD test in Pentagon City if you have had a casual sex encounter and are wondering if you have been exposed to infection.

A method of prevention

Look, the adage ‘Prevention is better than cure’ stands true in all times. If you are averse to abstinence, which is the one failsafe method to avoid STIs, you must always have sex using a condom to reduce your chances of contracting an infection.

However, you must know that condoms will not protect you from contact with infectious sores or warts.

If you are unsure about how to use male or female condoms, here’s how:

Using male condoms

• You should put the condom on before making any contact.
• Put the condom on the tip of the penis and unroll it towards the base. If you are uncircumcised, pull your foreskin back first.
• You must leave some space for semen collection; say about half an inch, in the tip of the condom. Do remember to squeeze it to remove the air.
• Once you have ejaculated, pull out before your penis turns soft. Make sure the condom doesn’t slip off by holding it at the rim.

Using female condoms

• Read the directions given on the package carefully regarding the placement of the condom. 
• Try to push the inner ring of the condom as far as it can go into the vagina. The outer ring of the condom must stay outside the vagina.
• Now, guide the penis into the condom.
• Once you are done, pull the condom out very gently before you stand up.

In both cases, never reuse condoms!

If you feel that you were careless and inadvertently exposed to an infection, you can go for affordable STD testing in Arlington by visiting an urgent care clinic.

Points to know

Most STIs do not show any symptoms, and oftentimes it is usually quite late into the infection that one comes to know they are infected.

If, however, you or your partner is being treated for an STI, you must avoid having sex.

Also, you should urinate and wash your genitals with soap and water soon after sex. This helps to remove some germs before they can cause an infection.

It is vital that you get yourself tested for STIs or STDs at clinics like stdexpressclinic.com so that even if you have contracted an infection, it can be diagnosed and treated at the earliest.