Is It Just as Easy for Girls to Get Stds Then Guys
While Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) in Singapore has always been a concern, recent trends of society being more open to sex and the prevalence of younger age group of sexually active people has seen a concerning increase in the numbers of STD cases. While no one wishes to contract an STD, we must be prudent and wise in understanding the effects STDs cause for affected individuals.
Needless to say, STDs can drastically change a person's lifestyle, but have you ever wondered if there is a difference in gender causes a difference in the effects STDs can have on the lifestyle of the victim? We explore the reasons why women get it worse as compared to men when it comes to STD infection in the article below.
Women have a higher risk of contracting STDs
Due to the anatomical differences between a man and a woman, ladies are at a higher risk of contracting STDs when exposed to the bacteria or virus. Due to the thinner and more delicate lining of the vagina as opposed to the penis' skin, bacteria and viruses have a higher chance of penetration and infecting the host.
The vagina, as compared to a penis, is also a much more ideal environment for the cultivation and propagation of various bacteria and viruses due to the moist environment it provides for them. While this does not mean men can ignore the risks of contracting STDs, it is recommended for ladies to err on the safer side when engaging in a sexually active lifestyle.
Women are more likely to confuse STD symptoms with less severe problems
Studies and trends have also found that common STD symptoms in women are also prone to be misdiagnosed earlier on as compared to men. Women usually experience normal discharge more frequently than men, so they might falsely believe that a burning/itching feeling can be related to a yeast infection or a monthly period cycle. On the other hand, men would often notice unusual discharge as it is an infrequent and specific occurrence and seek treatment earlier.
STDs such as herpes or syphilis result in genital lesions and sores that often occur inside the vaginal canal, compared to males, which forms outside the penis. The lack of a visual symptom is often the most common reason cited by ladies why they do not seek immediate medical attention.
STDs and pregnancy
While STDs such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia may affect fertility in both men and women, untreated STDs can lead to severe consequences such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and damage the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes, resulting in infertility.
STDs can also complicate your pregnancy and result in severe complications for you and your baby. STDs that can be transmitted to the baby during pregnancy or delivery include genital herpes, HIV, and syphilis. Some complications might not be evident at birth and may surface after a few months or even years down the road. If left untreated, it can even lead to ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, brain damage or low birth weight. It is recommended to do an STD test early in the pregnancy and close to delivery to prevent such from happening.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, having safe sex practices and regular STD testing in Singapore are highly recommended. While it might seem like women have it worse and have drawn the short straw, the truth is that both genders and partners have a crucial role when it comes to preventing STDs and minimising the risk of contracting them.
At Elyon Family Clinic and Surgery, we offer specialised testing, screening, and treatment services for all kinds of STD tests in Singapore. We ensure that our consultations with patients are treated with the utmost privacy and confidentiality. If you suspect yourself of contracting an STD or want to have a general health check, contact us at 6802 7208, and we will handle the rest.
Source: https://elyonclinic.com.sg/3-reasons-to-understand-why-stds-affect-women-more-than-men/
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