Sexually transmitted diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infectious diseases that are spread through sexual contact. STDs are among the most common infectious diseases in the world today. There are more than 20 types, affecting more than 13 million men and women in the United States each year. Some of the most common STDs include chlamydia infection, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

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Signs and Symptoms

STDs may not produce any symptoms, especially in women. However, when symptoms do occur, they may include the following:

• Itching
• Discharge from the penis or vagina
• Pus-containing blisters
• Genital sores including ulcers, blisters, rashes, and warts
• Abdominal pain
• Rectal infection and inflammation of the rectum
• Fever
• Muscle pain
• Painful urination
• Painful sex
• Bleeding between menstrual cycles
• Repeated urinary tract infections
• Swollen lymph glands in the groin

What Causes It?

STDs are caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites spread most often (but not always) through sexual contact. Some STDs can be passed from a mother to her baby during delivery and through breast-feeding while infected. Others may be passed by sharing infected needles. Common STDs include:

• AIDS: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Chlamydia infection: Chlamydia trachomatis
• Genital herpes: herpes simplex virus (HSV)
• Genital warts: human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Gonorrhea: Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• Syphilis: Treponema pallidum

Who is Most At Risk?

These conditions or characteristics put you at risk for developing STDs:

• Sexually active adults ages 18 to 28. Teens are at highest risk for acquiring an STD for the first time.
• Having a sexual partner with an STD. In many cases, the infected person may not have symptoms.
• Having many sexual partners, or a partner who has many sexual partners
• Having sex without a condom or other protection
• Having one STD increases the chance of getting another
• Living under stress from poverty, poor nutrition, or lack of health care
• Having anal intercourse increases risk for HIV, gonorrhea, and syphilis
• Having a weakened immune system
• Using IV drugs and sharing needles

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

Your doctor will do an examination and check for physical signs of disease. Blood tests and tests of discharge from genital sores can help find what is causing the infection so you can get the right treatment.

Treatment Options

PREVENTION

You can reduce your risk of getting an STD by:

• Delaying first sexual experience
• Having a mutually monogamous sexual relationship with an uninfected partner
• Always using a male or female condom for every act of oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse
• Using clean needles if injecting IV drugs
• Preventing and controlling other STDs
• Having regular checkups for STDs even if you have no symptoms, especially if you are having sex with a new partner or with multiple partners
• Learning the common symptoms of STDs and seeking medical help immediately if you develop any symptoms
• Taking medications to suppress the virus if you have HPV or HSV
• If you are a girl or boy age 9 to 26, getting vaccinated for HPV

Anyone diagnosed with an STD should be treated, avoid sexual activity while being treated, notify all recent sexual partners, finish any medications prescribed, and take a follow-up test.

DRUG THERAPIES

STDs are generally treated with antibiotic and antiviral medicines. If you have HSV or HPV, your doctor may recommend you take suppressive medications even when you do not have an outbreak. They reduce the number and length of outbreaks, as well as the likelihood that you will pass the infection to someone else. See also: HIV and AIDS.

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES (CAM)

Some CAM therapies can help treat STDs, along with conventional medicines, to prevent infection, boost the immune system, or reduce certain complications, such as arthritis from gonorrhea.

Some CAM therapies can help treat specific STDs, including HPV and herpes viral infections. Check with your health care provider about which supplements might work for you, and about how herbs and supplements may interact with prescription and non-prescription drugs.

CAM therapies do not offer a cure or a single treatment for any STD. You still need to see your doctor and take conventional medications. Even during treatment, STDs remain highly contagious. You need to take precautions so that you do not transmit the STD to your sexual partner (see "Prevention" section).

NUTRITION AND SUPPLEMENTS

These supplements may help when you have an STD:

• B-complex vitamins, to boost your immune system, particularly if you have HPV.
• Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus), 5 to 10 billion CFUs (colony forming units) a day. Taking antibiotics to treat an STD can upset the balance of bacteria in your intestines and cause diarrhea. Probiotics, or "friendly" bacteria, can help restore the balance. Refrigerate your probiotic supplements for best results. People with autoimmune disease, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, or people who take drugs to suppress the immune system, or have severely weakened immune systems, should ask their doctor before taking probiotics.
• Propolis, 3% ointment, applied to the skin, may help genital lesions caused by HSV type 2 to heal faster. Propolis is a resin made by bees. One small study of people with genital herpes compared an ointment made from propolis to Zovirax ointment. People using propolis saw the lesions heal faster than those using topical Zovirax. More studies are needed to say for sure whether propolis works.
• Zinc, applied in a cream to the skin, may reduce the severity and duration of genital herpes lesions.

HERBS

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care provider.

• Green tea (Camellia sinensis), proprietary extract, applied to the skin. A proprietary extract of green tea, called Polyphenon E ointment, is approved by the FDA as a topical treatment for genital warts caused by HPV.
• Aloe (Aloe vera), 0.5% cream. Early evidence suggests that aloe gel used topically may improve the symptoms of genital herpes in men. In two studies, men who used the aloe vera cream saw lesions heal faster than those who used a placebo cream.
• Eleutherococcus or Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus/Acanthopanax senticosus). One 6-month study of 93 people with genital herpes found that Siberian ginseng reduced the frequency, severity, and duration of outbreaks. Other studies have found no effect. Siberian ginseng interacts with many other medications, including those for diabetes. It may not be right for people with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, severe mental health issues, or hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, uterine, ovarian, or prostate cancer. Take Siberian ginseng only under your doctor's supervision.
• Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) may help boost the immune system. High doses of reishi may increase the risk of bleeding, especially if you also take blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or aspirin. Reishi may also lower blood pressure. If you take drugs to treat high blood pressure, taking reishi could cause your blood pressure to be too low. Ask your doctor before taking reishi.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) uses many herb combinations to strengthen and tone the immune system, and to fight viruses. Check with your provider for more information on TCM.

HOMEOPATHY

Homeopaths use various homeopathic remedies to treat STDs. However, no scientific studies have investigated homeopathy for this purpose. An experienced homeopath would consider each individual case and may recommend treatments to address both the underlying constitution and the specific symptoms of the STD.

Prognosis/Possible Complications

Many STDs can be treated effectively when they are diagnosed early. However, if you do not get treatment you can have many complications.

Some types of STDs often come back. Some can cause permanent damage to the reproductive organs and infertility. Having other STDs increases the risk for becoming infected with HIV. Some bacteria may become resistant to the antibiotics used to treat some STDs.

Following Up

Depending on the type of STD you have, your health care provider may want to see you for follow-up visits to be sure the disease has not come back, or to continue your treatment. If you are pregnant, an STD can cause serious complications for your unborn baby. Your provider will discuss treatment options with you.

Supporting Research

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Review Date: 3/24/2015  

Reviewed By: Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, Solutions Acupuncture, a private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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