Understanding the impact of sexually transmitted diseases on women’s health

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are diseases that are transmitted predominantly through sexual activity. There are many types of STDs, but the modes of transmission are always the same. The germs are transmitted from the infected to the uninfected partner. The severity of the disease depends on the amount of microbes entering the body, as well as the general health and immunity of the individual.

Women are more susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases for a number of reasons. They often contract them from their infected sexual partners, as many men do not use condoms because they believe it affects their masculinity. In addition, infidelity to their partners can lead to them contracting diseases from outside and subsequently infecting their partners at home.

Not only the immediate illness, but also the consequences are troubling them.

When a woman contracts a sexually transmitted disease such as syphilis, gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis, etc., she suffers from pain when urinating, itching in the genital area, and vaginal discharge. Sexual intercourse also becomes painful. Depending on the disease, there may be ulcers on the genitals or discharge, which may be scanty or thick, curd-like, depending on the germs causing it. The adjacent inguinal lymph nodes become enlarged and painful.

Due to the STD, a woman develops chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. She therefore suffers from chronic pain in the abdomen and back as well as pain during intercourse. Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease can lead to cervical cancer later in life. She is also susceptible to urinary tract infections as the germs easily enter the urinary tract through the small urethra (tube that connects the urinary bladder to the outside world). This causes pain when urinating and she has to urinate several times a day.

These problems can recur because any treatment helps to eliminate the infection but does not provide immunity for the future. Therefore, a woman may continue to get infections.

HIV/AIDS is the most common type of infection transmitted through sexual activity. Women are at a higher risk of contracting the infection because vaginal fluid is a better source of entry for the HIV virus. The fallopian tubes can get blocked by the infection, which can lead to an ectopic pregnancy, which is a potentially fatal condition and requires urgent medical attention. Blocked fallopian tubes are also one of the causes of infertility. If a woman cannot conceive, it is a huge stigma for her and also a psychological torment.

When a woman becomes pregnant, various diseases like HIV/AIDS, syphilis, genital herpes, etc. can be transmitted from the mother to the baby. The baby can also become infected during a vaginal delivery. Thus, an innocent child suffers through no fault of their own.

It is easy to imagine how many problems a sexually transmitted disease can cause in women. Men also have problems, but in women the symptoms are usually more severe and lead to longer-lasting consequences and complications.

All of this can be easily prevented by using a condom. Ideally, you should avoid having sex with an infected partner.

Men must be educated about sexually transmitted diseases and the risks they pose to themselves and their partners. This will prevent many innocent women and children from becoming infected with sexually transmitted diseases and suffering the consequences.

Dr. Rachna Pande is a specialist in internal medicine.