Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

• Overview
   
• STDs and
  Symptoms
• Diagnosis & treatment
• Prevention
   
• Further information

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are usually passed on by unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex².

Rates have risen steadily over the last ten years across the UK¹. According to the Health Protection Agency (HPA), they rose by six percent in 2007 over the previous year from 375,843 to 397,990¹.

The three most common are chlamydia, genital warts and gonorrhoea¹, and you're most at risk if you're aged between 16 and 24¹.

Female and male condoms can protect you from STDs but they won't protect you from those transmitted via skin-to-skin contact, such as pubic lice and the HPV virus, responsible for genital warts and cervical cancer².

Most STDs can be successfully treated, but not all can be cured².

You may feel embarrassed about talking to your GP about STDs, but there are plenty of genito-urinary (GUM) or sexual health clinics, where you can make an appointment for tests².

If you test positive for a STD, you need to tell sexual partners as soon as possible^2,4.