Information for Gender: 15 Misunderstandings in Preventing STDs

Myth 1: Using condoms will prevent you from contracting STDs

Although condoms are the best way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, they are not foolproof. Because condoms are used improperly (for example, if they are not fully inserted, only used halfway through intercourse, and sexual intercourse continues after ejaculation, etc.) or if the condoms are of poor quality and break during intercourse, there is still a chance of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

Myth 2: Oral sex does not cause sexually transmitted diseases

Oral sex is one of the important ways of transmitting sexually transmitted diseases. Herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, non-gonococcal urethritis and AIDS can all be transmitted through oral sex.

Myth 3: If you take antibiotics before visiting a prostitute, you don’t need to wear a condom

Antibiotics are only effective against sexually transmitted diseases caused by bacteria, but are not effective against herpes and AIDS. The misuse of antibiotics can easily cause bacteria to develop resistance. Gonorrhea is the most obvious example.

Myth 4: You will not get STDs if you urinate immediately after visiting a prostitute

Bacteria or viruses that cause sexually transmitted diseases will penetrate deep into tissues or enter the bloodstream in a short period of time. Therefore, urinating immediately after sexual intercourse has a very limited effect on preventing sexually transmitted diseases. However, female patients can urinate after sexual intercourse to empty the bladder of bacteria, which can prevent acute cystitis.

Myth 5: Taking vitamin C before sexual intercourse can prevent STDs

Vitamin C does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

Myth 6: Sexually transmitted diseases only show symptoms in the sexual organs

In addition to the genitourinary organs, symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases may also appear in other organs of the body, including the whole body's skin, mouth, eyes, rectum, near the anus and joints, etc.

To prevent STDs, you must not only keep yourself clean and develop good sexual habits, but also pay attention to avoid the above STD landmines to avoid being harmed.

Myth 7: As long as you don’t get involved in inappropriate places, you won’t be infected with STDs

Herpes and condyloma acuminata can often be infected without sexual intercourse. Blood transfusions and the sharing of needles and syringes with STD carriers can lead to STD syphilis and AIDS infection.

Myth 8: Whether a woman has sexually transmitted diseases can be seen from her appearance

Many sexually transmitted diseases have no obvious symptoms in women, and there is no abnormality in appearance, or the lesions are hidden deep near the uterinecervix and are not easy to detect. Therefore, women are often carriers of sexually transmitted diseases without knowing it. A woman with a normal appearance does not mean that she is safe.

Myth 9: People with poor health will get STDs

Sexually transmitted diseases are pervasive, and people as strong as a cow can still get sexually transmitted diseases.

Myth 10: Only gay men can get AIDS

AIDS not only affects gay men, but heterosexuals, mothers and fetuses, and couples can also be infected with each other.

Myth 11: As long as there are no symptoms, STDs do not need to be treated

The treatment of sexually transmitted diseases requires a certain course of treatment. Do not stop taking medicine just because there are no symptoms. This can prevent the disease from recurring or the development of drug-resistant strains of bacteria.

Myth 12: If you get sexually transmitted diseases, your sexual partner does not need treatment if he or she has no symptoms

If you get sexually transmitted diseases, your sexual partners must receive examination and treatment at the same time to avoid table tennis-type infections.

Myth 13: Blood from blood donation centers is absolutely safe and there is no need to worry about contracting sexually transmitted diseases

AIDS has a window period, and there is currently no effective method for testing. (Therefore, although the blood in the blood donation center has been screened for syphilis and AIDS, it is not guaranteed to be absolutely safe.

Myth 14: STDs have no impact on offspring

Most sexually transmitted diseases have an impact on offspring. Syphilis or non-gonococcal urethritis pathogens can be passed to the fetus through the placenta, leading to miscarriage, preterm birth, embryonic death, congenital malformations, and fetal-transmitted syphilis. Chlamydia trachomatis can cause intrauterine growth retardation. Spontaneous miscarriage is mainly related to gonorrhea, mycoplasma or herpes simplex virus. Gonorrhea can cause neonatal gonorrhea, causing birth defects in newborns, and can also cause neonatal ophthalmia, leading to blindness.

Myth 15: Filling the urethra with gasoline can treat urethritis

Not only does gasoline have a sterilizing effect, it can also damage the mucous membrane of the urethra and cause serious tissue reactions.