This Month's New Fact on Sex!

*Chlamydia:

Chlamydia is curable but an estimated 92 million new chlamydia infections occur each year

*Symptoms:

There are often no symptoms for chlamydia but when present they are:

For Men:

In men, Chlamydia primarily affects the urethra (the tube inside the penis that carries sperm and urine).

Burning pain on urination

Discharge from the opening of the penis (the urethra)

Pain in the testicles

Pain in, or discharge from, the rectum

For Women:

In women, Chlamydia primarily affects the cervix (the opening that connects the vagina to the uterus or womb)

• Vaginal irritation

• Vaginal discharge

• Nondescript pain in the lower abdomen

• Painful sexual intercourse

• Pain in, or discharge from, the rectum

• Severe pelvic pain from an infection that has ascended from the cervix into the upper reproductive tract.

Treatment:

Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics. However, if the infection goes untreated, it can lead to   infertility,Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can affect the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries or testicular pain and infertility in men.

If detected early on, chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics within 7 to 10 days.

Like other STDs, chlamydia may seem to get better even when it's still present. Even if the symptoms disappear after a few days with no treatment, it does not mean that the infection has gone away.

Contagiousness:

Chlamydia is contagious and can be transmitted through sexual contact in semen and vaginal secretions. Also, Chlamydia can be spread through oral sex if one or both partners are infected. If Chlamydia comes in contact with the eyes, it may cause conjunctivitis.

Chlamydia does not spread through casual contact, such as hugging or sharing a toilet with someone who has been infected. If someone is diagnosed with chlamydia, they need to inform all of their partners so they can be treated as well, even if they do not have symptoms.

Protecting yourself!

The most effective way is to abstain from having sex because chlamydia is sexually transmitted.

Limiting the number of sexual partners you have and being cautious of becoming sexually active with someone who has or has had multiple partners.

Wearing condoms properly can help decrease but will not eliminate the risk of catching Chlamydia.

If you are treated for Chlamydia, ask about being treated for other STD’s.

QUIZ:

Are You Participating in Risky Behaviors that Could Lead to Catching an STD?

1. How many sexual partners have you had?

1-3

4-6

7-10

11 or more

2. How often do you get checked for STD’s?

Never

Once every 3 months

Once every 6 months

Once a year

I have never been sexually active.

3.How often do you use a condom?

Sometimes

Never

Always

Most of the time

I am not sexually active.

4. How many sexual partners do you have in a 3 month time span?

0

1-3

4-6

7-10

11 or more

5. What is the shortest period of time you knew someone before having sex with them?

I am not sexually active.

A couple of days or less

A couple of weeks

A couple of months

A year or more

6. Calculate your score by adding the number of points given for each letter you selected on the questions you answered.

a=0,  b=1, c=2, d=3  e=4

a=4,  b=1, c=2, d=3, e=0

a= 3, b=4, c=1, d=2, e=0

a= 0, b=1, c=2, d=3, e=4

a=0,  b=4, c=3, d=2, e= 1

If you scored 0-5, you have done a good job at not putting yourself in risky situations that could lead to catching an STD. However, keep in mind that it only takes one time to make a bad decision that could lead to a life long illness. So see what you can do to protect yourself even more and remember the most reliable way to protect yourself is abstinence.

If you scored 6-10, you are being kind of risky with your health. You sometimes make the right decision, but you are not always thinking ahead or considering the long term effect one night of pleasure can have. It is important to make sure you get checked every 3 to 6 months when engaging in sexual activity and ALWAYS use protection! The most reliable way to protect yourself is abstinence. It only takes one time to make a bad decision that could lead to a life long illness.

If you scored 11-15, you are living life on the edge! If you have not contracted an STD yet, you are getting dangerously close to doing so. You do not seem to be very conscious at all of the risk you are putting yourself for contracting an STD, so you should take some time to review your answers and see what changes you can make to ensure you stay in good health. It is important to make sure you get checked every 3 to 6 months when engaging in sexual activity and ALWAYS use protection! However, the most reliable way to protect yourself is abstinence. It only takes one time to make a bad decision that could lead to a life long illness.

If you scored 16-20, you are living life on a path that will lead you to contract an straight to an STD! You seem to make decisions based on what will feel good right then not on the consequences you may end up suffering because of those decisions. You should take some time to review your answers and see what changes you can make to ensure you stay in good health. It is important to make sure you get checked every 3 to 6 months when engaging in sexual activity and ALWAYS use protection! The most reliable way to protect yourself is abstinence. It only takes one time to make a bad decision that could lead to a life long illness.