Sexual Health

Your Sexual Health

If you are sexually active, you are at risk for a sexually transmitted disease (STD). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has determined that individuals 15 – 24 years of age make up over one quarter of the sexually active population. However, this group accounts for half of the 20 million STIs in the United States each year.1 Women considering abortion need to be tested for STDs to decrease their chances of developing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).2 The Pregnancy Resource Center Medical Clinic provides information and referrals for testing and treatment to men and women in their community.

Symptoms

With some STDs, a man or woman may have no symptoms at all. Untreated STDs can cause PID in women, causing complications such as formation of scar tissue both outside/inside the fallopian tubes, ectopic pregnancy, infertility or long-term pelvic/abdominal pain.3 Testing and early treatment is important for your sexual health. Make an appointment with the Pregnancy Resource Center Medical Clinic and find out more.

STDS & Pregnancy

According to the CDC4, STDs can complicate pregnancy, having serious effects on both the mother and baby.  Some common side effects are low birth weight, preterm labor, and premature birth.  Women with STDs can infect their baby either before, during or after the baby’s birth.  The sooner a woman begins receiving care for STDs during pregnancy, the better the health outcomes for herself and her baby.

1CDC Fact Sheet: Information for Teens and Young Adults: Staying Healthy and Preventing STDs. (2014, November 4). Retrieved November 13, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/std/life-stages-populations/stdfact-teens.htm
2Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). (2014, May 1). Retrieved November 13, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/basics/causes/con-20022341
3Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) – CDC Fact Sheet. (2015, May 4). Retrieved November 13, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-pid.htm
4STDs during Pregnancy – CDC Fact Sheet. (2014, December 16). Retrieved November 13, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/std/pregnancy/stdfact-pregnancy.htm
5Miscarriage. (2013, July 9). Retrieved December 23, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/basics/definition/con-20033827

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