Have you ever been crazy in love? A kind of love that made you feel like the world is perfect. And then, BOOM! You test positive for a sexually transmitted disease. How could this happen, he did not look like he had chlamydia! Most people who have chlamydia don't know it since the disease often has no symptoms. Even herpes and gonorrhea can be present without symptoms. It’s a wonderful thing to be “crazy in love.” But, ladies, we must be strong and confident about safe sex. Some STDs are incurable, can cause infertility, or long term pelvic pain. Our bodies are certainly worth speaking up for.
- Ask your partner questions about STD history right from the very beginning. You’d be surprised what you can find out just by asking.
- Both you and your partner should get tested once you make a decision to be intimate.
- Get tested around the same time frame, ideally the same day.
- Share your results openly with each other. When I do full panel STD testing, I’ll get you results for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas, HPV, HIV, herpes, hepatitis, and syphilis tests. Using this as a guide, you can compare to see that your partner has also received the appropriate tests and a full evaluation. Too often, I hear patients say, “he said everything was fine.” Can you be sure?
- Use condoms and practice safe sex each and every single time.
- If you notice something abnormal, say something and get checked out.
Don’t be afraid to speak up. If speaking up for yourself causes a problem, is it "love" after all?
#selflove
Author
Dr. Chetanna Okasi
Dr. Okasi is a board certified obstetrician/gynecologist, and the medical director of Women's Wellness MD. Her mission is to help women achieve total wellness of mind, body, and spirit.
