Chlamydia and gonorrhea, two of the most common STDs in women, can be cured completely via antibiotics, as can trichomoniasis. While there is currently no way to eliminate STDs such as herpes and HIV from the body, antiviral medications can target both infections, alleviate symptoms, and protect the body against disease progression.
Preserving Women’s Health by Testing
According to the CDC, sexually active females should undergo annual STD testing for common infections such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, herpes, and HIV. HPV, another major women’s health concern, should also be tested for on a yearly basis, as certain strains of the virus have the ability to cause cervical cancer.
Females who engage in unprotected sexual activity with multiple partners are advised to test more habitually than those in monogamous relationships. Additionally, women who are 25 or younger are said to be at an increased risk for STDs due to the relatively undeveloped nature of the female reproductive system at this point in a female’s life.
STDs are a major women’s health concern because many, if left undetected, can produce severe long-term consequences. Untreated gonorrhea and Chlamydia in particular are known to cause chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancies. Protecting women’s health therefore hinges on STD kit and testing and proper treatment for those at risk.
