Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (STIs) are a group of diseases/infections that pass from one person to other by sexual contact. There are cases of non-sexual transmission of the virus by using a contaminated needle or from a pregnant mother to her unborn child.

According to WHO, every day, more than 1 million STIs are acquired all around the world. Most of these STIs are asymptomatic initially.

Left untreated, it can lead to serious health issues, including cervical cancer, infertility, pregnancy problems, liver disease, and PID (pelvic inflammatory diseases).

Therefore, it is crucial to diagnose the disease early and treat it accordingly. 

Sexually transmitted diseases: Prevention

To prevent STDs, one must have basic knowledge about the risk factors and how it is transmitted:

Those people who are at high risk of contracting STIs who:

• Have multiple sex partners
• Have a history of STIs
• Do drug abuse by injecting contaminated needles and sharing
• Have a partner having a history of multiple sex partners
• Are gay or bisexual
• Pregnant women and infants
• Teenage girls and young women

The reason why teenage girls and young women are vulnerable to STDs is that;

1. The cervical lining is thin and prone to being infected with STIs.
2. They lack information and the necessary supplies needed to prevent STIs.
3. They have confidentiality issues.

Transmission: 

STIs cause microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, parasites) to live in blood,

semen, vaginal discharge, and other body fluids. They are transmitted when one person’s infectious fluid enters another person’s body.

Abstinence:

The only way to prevent STDs is total abstinence. All forms of intimate genital contact must be avoided. Complete abstinence means that a person does not engage in intimate sexual activity, including oral sex. Thus, there is no chance of contracting an STD.

Stay with one uninfected partner:

Mutual Monogamy is a term in which both partners mutually agree to be sexually active. It is one of the most reliable ways to prevent STDs when one remains in a long-term monogamous relationship with a partner having no past or current history of having STIs.

Use protection during sex:

Always use condoms correctly during vaginal or anal sex. You must use a new and clean condom when engaging in sexual activity. Oil-based lubricants like petroleum jelly are not recommended as they can break the condom and make it brittle.

Always use water-based lubricant. In oral sex, go for dental dams (also called oral barriers) so that no semen enters the body.

Other contraceptives, which are not a barrier method, such as pills and intrauterine devices, are not helpful in protecting against STIs.

Get Vaccinated:

The only three STDs for which vaccinations are now available are:

Hepatitis A:

Children should receive the hepatitis A vaccine twice.

The first dose should be given between 12 to 23 months of age.

Second dose: After six months of the first dose.

Those adults who were not vaccinated initially and want to be prevented from the disease can also get vaccinated.

2. Hepatitis B:

The  Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends following people should receive hepatitis B vaccination.

• All infants
• Every child and adolescent under the age of 19 who has not received a vaccination
• Adults between the ages of 19 and 59
• Adults who are at least 60 years old and have hepatitis B risk factors

3. HPV:

Centers for disease control and prevention recommend a routine HPV vaccination at 11 and 12 years. 

There is currently no vaccination for STDs, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis.

Get Tested:

Before engaging in any sexual activity, get yourself and your partner tested for STDs.

Avoid excess alcohol consumption and drug abuse:

You are more likely to indulge in sexual activity when you are not sober as it reduces self-control. Heavy drinkers also tend to have multiple partners, increasing the risk of STIs.

Also, go for rehabilitation therapy for alcohol and drug addiction to prevent STDs.

Consider male circumcision:

Data from a meta-analysis of 62 observational studies suggest that circumcision reduces the risk of HIV and STIs in men who have sex with men (MSM), lowering the chances of HIV infection by up to 23%.

Communicate:

Communication is the key. Talk to your partner before having any intimate relationship about practicing safer sex methods. Mutually agree on what specific sexual acts you both are comfortable with.

PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis):

PrEP is given when a person doesn’t have HIV but is at high risk of contracting it to prevent the disease.

 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two medicines to be used as PrEP namely.

 Truvada: When taken daily, it can reduce the chances of getting HIV by 99% from sex and by  74% from injection drug use (According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 

Descovy: Has similar effects as Truvada in reducing risk. However, its effects are not studied in people having receptive vaginal sex.

STD clinic in KL/Kepong:

Chye Clinic is one of the top-rated and best STD / STI clinics in Kepong & Kuala Lumpur.

The services we provide:

The clinic offers reasonable and professional STD testing, STD screening, and STD treatment in Kuala Lampur and Kepong.

We maintain privacy and confidentiality, and no one in the clinic can access your encrypted data except your doctor.

Free HIV rapid test. The results of the rapid test are given within 20 minutes.

Other lab tests take about 3 to 5 days to give accurate results.

We offer one-to-one and face-to-face counseling to those who feel depressed and hopeless and have no one to talk to.

As we are a family medicine clinic, not only sexual health but your physical and mental well-being are equally important to us. Therefore, we also provide health screening and treatment for conditions other than STDs.