Wellness

Testing for STIs and STDs

Once you’re infected with an STI, it lingers in your body, interacting with your immune system. This infection then undergoes what is called an incubation period. An incubation period is a time between exposure and when your body addresses the pathogens by producing antibodies. 

Before getting tested for an STI, you have to wait out this incubation period to get reliable results. STI tests will rely on the presence or lack of antibodies to determine whether an infection is present. As for STDs, you may notice a few symptoms, which we’ll get to in the next section. 

There isn’t one definite incubation period for all infections and diseases. Some have incubation periods of a few days, while some may take several years before showing symptoms. Here’s a list of the incubation periods of the most common STIs.

• HIV: 2-4 weeks
• chlamydia (CT): 7 to 21 days
• gonorrhea (GC): 1 to 14 days
• syphilis: 3 weeks to 20 years (depending on specific type)
• hepatitis A: 15 to 50 days
• hepatitis B: 60 to 150 days
• hepatitis C: 2 to 26 weeks
• oral herpes: 2 to 12 days
• genital herpes: 2 to 12 days
• HPV: 1 month to 10 years (depending on specific type)
• trichomoniasis: 5 to 28 days

As to the frequency of testing, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends following these screening and testing guidelines. 

Common STD symptoms

The most common STD symptoms exhibit themselves in the genital area. Here are some of the typical signs you should watch out for:

• Bumps, sores, and lesions in the genital area, anus, buttocks, and thighs
• Unnatural vaginal discharge
• Penile discharge
• Genital bleeding
• Painful or burning urination
• Pain and tenderness in and around your genitals
• Swollen or painful lymph nodes
• Genital or anal rashes

What should I do if I test positive for an STI or STD?

The first and most responsible thing to do is inform your sexual partners that you tested positive so that they may get tested. This won’t be the most comfortable conversation to have, but it’s the best thing to do to ensure that the infection will not continue to spread. 

The next thing you should do is seek treatment. Many people live their lives comfortably despite living with an STD or STI. You will need to consult with a medical physician about the next steps and medications you will have to take.

Aside from the medical treatment, you should also seek the help of mental health professionals. STIs and STDs carry with them a stigma that can lead to anxiety and even depression. Some STDs like syphilis can also cause mental illness.

Preventing STIs 

Abstinence – Abstinence is easily the most effective method in STD prevention. However, it isn’t the most practical nor convenient. We understand that many adults are sexually active, so we’d recommend the next alternative in preventing STIs and STDs.

Barrier methods – When used correctly, condoms are some of the most effective ways of preventing STIs, including chlamydia and gonorrhea. You can read more about condoms and their effectiveness in this article. 

Vaccines – Vaccines play a crucial role in effectively preventing various infections. Hepatitis and HPV vaccines are some of the available ones we have today, with an HIV vaccine in the works.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis – This is a new prevention method recommended for sexually active people who are at high risk of catching HIV. It involves taking a pill and other medicines that are used to treat HIV. When you catch HIV, the medicines prevent it from establishing a permanent infection.

Summary

The topic of sexually transmitted infection vs. sexually transmitted disease is a common source of confusion for most people. We hope that this post has shed light on the matter. But regardless of how they differ, it’s undeniable that they both pose a threat not just to women’s health but to public health in general. Let’s continue educating ourselves and others about sexual health so we can eliminate STIs and STDs for the future generation.

• Yeast Infection

Itching and irritation on your clitoris may also be due to a yeast infection. Yeast infections are prevalent in women. 75% of women will experience yeast infections at least once in their lives. Besides an itching on the clitoris, yeast infections symptoms include swelling, burning sensation during sex and urination, thick discharge, and redness or vaginal rash. 

If you are uncertain whether your itching is due to a yeast infection, you should see a health expert diagnose your condition correctly. Yeast infections are easily cured with over-the-counter medicines. These medicines can include a pessary inserted into the vagina and a cream for the outside area.

• Sexually Transmitted Infections

Some STIs are often the cause of the itching of your clitoris. STIs that can make your clitoris itch include genital warts, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. STIs do not just cause your clit to itch. Still, they also bring along sores or blisters, unusual vaginal bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse and urination, strong vaginal odor, and lower abdominal pain. 

To make sure that the itching on your clitoris is due to an STI, you should first consult a doctor and have them diagnose you correctly. You can typically cure STIs by abstaining from sex for a while. If you test positive for an STI, you should follow the proper medication that your doctor assigns. 

Is It Something I Should Be Worried About?

Most of the time, an itchy clitoris is not something that you should be alarmed about. Most people get itchy clits as it is a natural occurrence in the human body. If you happen to experience an itchy clitoris, do not get flustered and start using different medications, especially without a doctor or healthcare professional’s proper advice. If symptoms persist and the itching continues to worsen, you should immediately see a doctor or a health expert.

Women’s bodies can get complicated, and many of the symptoms we experience fall between normal and abnormal occurrences. For situations where we are uncertain about what is happening, we must learn how to listen to our bodies to know what it needs. 

An itchy clitoris may seem like an alarming symptom, but it is not something that you should fear again. If you are generally concerned about your well-being and do not know what to do anymore, always consult your doctor as they know what to do. Experts are the best people to approach if you want to take care of your body properly as they know what and what not to do.

Do You Need Yoni Pearls?

Women naturally experience vaginal discharge. What some women may not be aware of is that vaginal discharge is normal. It is even an indicator that your body is doing healthy. During pregnancy, women experience many changes in their bodies as hormones shift and their whole body starts functioning differently. 

Changes in bodily functions are regular during pregnancy. There is no particular need for you to take any extraordinary steps to clean your vagina. It is highly advised that you keep things as natural and simple as possible while pregnant and avoid chemicals and other scented products.

Are They Safe?

When it comes to reproductive health, experts advise women not to leave things in their vagina, like tampons, for too long. Leaving tampons and other objects in women’s genital areas will cause bacteria to build up and will most likely lead to severe medical conditions such as Toxic Shock Syndrome. To answer this question, no, yoni pearls are not safe for women due to the number of risk factors discussed in the next part of this article.

Risk Factors

Detox pearls have a lot of concerning factors that make them unsafe for women to use. There are not enough long-term studies about yoni pearls that can prove it to be healthy and effective. While there are no cases of detox pearls causing miscarriages so far, certain herbs can lead to a miscarriage.  Besides, yoni pearls have yet to be approved by the FDA, and doctors highly recommend staying away from them.  

The bottom line of this is that yoni pearls are not beneficial to your reproductive health whatsoever. Any form of vaginal detox is too risky for your health, so you may want to reconsider trying it. Again, vaginal discharge is expected, so do not try anything that can threaten your health. If you are experiencing symptoms or anything out of the ordinary, consult a healthcare expert near you. Not everything you see on the internet is accurate and effective, so be extra cautious with what you do to your body that the internet advises you to do.

Otherwise, the patient may have unfavorable reactions that further aggravates their physical state. Those who are experiencing symptoms of STD may be given treatment for UTI if the doctor misdiagnoses them, and that can be a big problem. Doctors also ask whether or not you are conducting sexual activity to know what tests should be conducted.

If ever the situation where you are asked about your sexual activity status arises and you do not know if you have, you may ask the physician or health professional what it means to be sexually active. This way, you can avoid misdiagnosis and confusion. This situation is more difficult for people belonging to the LGBTQ+ community as not everyone is open to the thought of same-sex intercourse. 

Whether you are bisexual, gay, lesbian, queer, or what, it is still equally important for you to be informed and honest about your sexual activity. Doctors and experts are only looking out for you regardless of your gender orientation, so let go of the idea that discussing sex is taboo and focus on doing what’s best for yourself. 

What Classifies As Sexual Activity?

If a person does not fully understand what sexual activity is, they can directly tell their physician or any other health expert about their recent sexual acts. They can say that they recently had oral or manual sex if they are unsure if their actions classify as sexual acts. Sexual activity includes oral sex (blow jobs/eating out), anal sex, and manual sex (the use of hands to pleasure oneself or others). 

Having sex is not the only basis for sexual activity. Discussing your sexual activity can be unbearable but keep in mind that a moment of discomfort can save you from a series of unfortunate events. Also, knowing the difference between being sexually active and not can help avoid risks in the future. Besides, being educated on sexual acts and the dangers and consequences that may come from it can lessen the discomfort you feel from talking about sex with others.

Having Sex

Having sex is often thought of as the same as making love, but it is vastly different. Having sex is merely the act of doing sexual intercourse, often without genuine emotions. While having sex can still consist of vulnerability, the exchange of emotions is not as deep as when you make love with someone you love. 

With the act of just having sex, you do not have to worry about attachments and commitment as individuals who just have sex can move on quickly from it. Having sex is more of a way to gain pleasure and thrill, unlike lovemaking that expresses the love two people have for one another. Having sex is not a bad thing, despite what some people believe.  

Anyone can have sex, as long as you are of the right age and have all the consent from your partner that you need. Take note that no one can make you do something that you are not comfortable doing. The same goes for sex. You should not force another person to have sex with, especially if they did not consent to do so. If you do, that will fall under sexual harassment or rape, but that’s a different story. 

Making love and having sex are two very different things, but that does not mean that one is better than the other. Conservative people may shame those who have sex for fun, but that should not make you feel like you are doing something wrong. People enjoy sex differently as we have different beliefs and needs. The main difference between the two acts of sexual intercourse is the level of vulnerability and the amount of emotions held by the people who do it.

1. Clothing

Sometimes, our clothes and undergarments are the leading cause of irritation on our skin, not just on the penis. Wearing too-tight clothing causes friction and rubbing of the skin with the material, leading to irritation. Uncircumcised men will often experience a buildup of moisture and fungus due to tight clothing/underwear. Tight clothing leads to dryness of the penis’ skin and can further lead to infection, so make sure to select proper clothing.

1. Dry Sex

Dry sex is when people perform sexual intercourse without proper lubrication. Dry, skin-on-skin contact can lead to the skin’s peeling, flaking, redness, and itching. Regardless of what kind you use, whether it’s an oil lubricant, silicone-based lubricant, or what, be careful not to choose a product that will irritate your skin, such as a water-based lubricant. This will also prevent dryness of your skin.

1. Yeast Infection

Yeast infections are often associated with women, but men can develop them too. If you fail to maintain proper genital hygiene, you may be at risk of developing a penile yeast infection. When men have this kind of condition, they usually experience uneven discharge under the foreskin of their genital organs, swelling of the penis, pain during sex or urination, and peeling of small flakes of the penis’ skin. Once this occurs, it is advisable to avoid sexual interaction as much as possible and apply antifungal cream on the penis. 

1. Eczema

The most common symptoms of Eczema are irritation, itching, and redness of the skin. Dry penis skin is a possible sign that you have developed the condition. However, before you panic and freak out about having Eczema, you should consult your doctor first for a correct diagnosis. As mentioned, people often freak out over a single symptom even if they are not sure what it is. To avoid getting anxious or overly worried about it, go to the urologist nearest you to have all your questions answered correctly.

CONCLUSION

Just to remind you again, do not freak out over something you are still unsure about. Overthinking causes stress on your body, making things worse, so refrain from thinking about the worst-case scenarios. You can avoid developing anxiety by researching and talking to a professional about concerns related to your health. If you happen to experience dry penis skin, the chances are that you are just experiencing one of the side effects of the things mentioned above. Now that you know what the common causes of dry skin on penis are, you can go ahead and check which of them apply to you. Knowing this can save you a lot of time and energy from panicking over something that isn’t even really there.

How can I contract ureaplasma?

Ureaplasma is highly contagious and is typically transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, both vaginal and anal. It may also be transmitted non-sexually through blood, as in sharing needles and blood transfusions. It may even be spread through saliva by coughing, kissing, sneezing, and the like in more extreme cases. 

Ureaplasma may also be passed on from mother to child through birth. However, the infection usually goes away after a few months on its own. This infection is relatively rare among children and other sexually inactive adults. 

Immunosuppressed or immunocompromised people are at much more risk of contracting ureaplasma than most. This group includes those with HIV and those who’ve recently undergone an organ transplant. 

Is Ureaplasma an STD then?

By definition, ureaplasma sounds a lot like sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or diseases (STDs), but experts say that it doesn’t fall under the same classification as them. Instead, it is classified as a bacterial infection, which could potentially open the door for more harmful STIs. 

Symptoms

Most people with a ureaplasma infection won’t experience symptoms at all. However, it may be a possible cause of inflammation in the urethra, leading to a condition called urethritis. With urethritis, both men and women may experience these symptoms:

• frequent urination
• burning urination
• urethral discharge

Furthermore, ureaplasma may also lead to vaginal conditions like bacterial vaginosis (BV), which can exhibit the following symptoms:

• thin white or gray vaginal discharge
• strong fish-like odor
• burning or pain when urinating

Ureaplasma could also lead to the following conditions if left untreated:

• prostatitis
• endometritis
• kidney stones
• premature labor
• respiratory disease in newborns
• STIs like HIV

Diagnosis

Doctors will not usually test for the presence of ureaplasma. Because of how small it is, ureaplasma cannot be seen under a microscope, requiring much more specialized tests and equipment. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms we listed above, the doctor may need to collect one or more of the samples below for studying.

• cervical swab
• urine sample
• endometrial swab
• an endometrial biopsy

Treatment

Fortunately, in most cases, ureaplasma is relatively easy to treat. Prescription medication in the form of antibiotics effectively treats and cures ureaplasma. There are two types of antibiotics that have been proven to cure ureaplasma completely. These are azithromycin and doxycycline. Doxycycline is usually taken as a weeklong treatment course, while azithromycin is a single-dose one. It will usually take a week for the symptoms to clear up. If symptoms clear up sooner, it would still be advisable to complete your course of medications, just to be sure. For the safest and most effective treatment options, you will want to consult with your doctor. 

Prevention

The most effective way to prevent ureaplasma is by abstaining completely from sexual intercourse. However, as this seems like the most impractical choice, here are effective alternative prevention methods:

• Use a condom. Barrier methods like condoms are the safest and most recommended prevention option when it comes to ureaplasma. They are the most practical and effective course of action besides abstinence.
• Minimize your number of sexual partners. The fewer sexual partners you have, the lower the chances of you contracting ureaplasma infections. 
• Avoid sharing intimate items like sex toys or needles. Ureaplasma can be spread through sexual contact, not necessarily direct. If you should share sex toys (which we wouldn’t recommend either), make sure to use condoms with them. 
• Attend regular STI screenings.

Essential Oils As Treatment

While doctors will be quick to point out the efficacy of the shingles vaccine as prevention, we can easily get blindsided by this notorious condition. With that in mind, it’s good to know that there are several home remedies to manage symptoms of a shingles outbreak. One of those remedies is essential oils.

Essential oils are made from various leaves, barks, and rinds from a number of different plants. Makers then use different methods to concentrate these into oils. Essential oils represent the alternative approach to medicine, which uses a lot more herbs and plants instead of synthetic and human-made drugs. 

However, doctors will often point out that essential oils should not be the primary treatment method for shingles. Instead, it should be a complementary one to alleviate pain and other symptoms. 

Best Essential Oils for Shingles

It should go without saying that these essential oils will not cure your shingles outbreak. What they can provide is relief from pain and itchiness, along with anecdotal antiviral properties. Some evidence suggests that the following oils may be especially useful against shingles:

• peppermint oil
• capsaicin oil
• geranium oil
• thyme oil
• lemon oil

Aromatherapy experts and therapists also vouch for the efficacy of the following oils:

• Ravensara oil
• Ravintsara oil
• Melissa oil
• Rose otto oil

How to use essential oils

Knowing how to use these oils is just as important as knowing what oils you should be using. It’s important to note that when using essential oils, you will need to mix them with a mild carrier oil. The following are the oils you might consider using:

• olive oil
• almond oil
• peanut oil
• coconut oil

Among the ones listed above, we highly recommend using high-quality coconut oil the most. Holistic health expert Birgitta Lauren recommends mixing ten drops each of thyme, geranium, and lemon oil with about a tablespoon of coconut oil. You may then apply this mixture directly onto your shingles lesions. 

Symptoms

As was mentioned earlier, shingles will typically only affect one portion of the body, appearing as a rash. The following are the telltale signs that your rash could be a shingles outbreak:

• Burning, numbness, and tingling
• Stabbing or shooting pain
• Tenderness
• A red rash that follows a few days after the pain
• Fluid-filled blisters that will burst and crust over 
• Itching
• Fever, chills, and headache

Traditional treatments

Like other viral infections, shingles has no cure. The good news is that there are antiviral medications available to shorten the length and reduce the severity of the infection. The following antiviral medications are well-known and widely used to treat viral diseases and infections like herpes and shingles:

• Acyclovir (Zovirax)
• Famciclovir (Famvir)
• Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

Other lifestyle changes and habits

To further prevent shingles outbreaks, we recommend adopting healthy lifestyle changes and habits. With stress and a weakened immune system as the likely triggers of shingles, here are some ways to reduce stress and boost your immune system:

• Engage in relaxing and enjoyable activities
• Meditate, stretch, or walk
• Work on a favorite hobby
• Get ample rest
• Improve your diet by consuming foods rich in vitamins A, B12, C, E, and the amino acid lysine. 

Conclusion

Essential oils may play a vital role in alleviating some of the numerous symptoms of shingles, primarily pain, and discomfort. However, if you adamantly want to stay away from this virus, we highly recommend getting vaccinated. It’s safe and incredibly effective at keeping the virus at bay. CDC recommends the vaccine Shingrix as the preferred option.

Diet

A weakened immune system aggravates shingles. As with most infections, a few dietary changes are in order when you have this condition. There are specific foods made to strengthen your immune system and prevent the shingles from spreading to the rest of your body. But of course, there are also other foods you should avoid at all costs, as they can worsen your symptoms and make shingles last longer than it should. 

Foods you should be eating

A shingles diet should consist of foods rich in different vitamins (A, B, C, and E) and the amino acid lysine. Foods that you should include are:

• Fresh green and yellow vegetables
• Fresh fruits 
• Legumes
• Raw chopped garlic
• Red meat
• Eggs
• Chicken
• Wild-caught fish
• Deep-sea scallops
• Whole grains
• Tomatoes
• Sweet Potatoes
• Bell Peppers

Foods you should avoid

Coming down with shingles can be an extremely exhausting experience. For that reason, many people find comfort in certain foods that aren’t exactly the best for us. But while these foods make you feel great at the moment, they actually work against your body in healing you. Here are the foods you should avoid with shingles:

• Foods high in arginine – arginine is an amino acid that helps in replicating the varicella zoster virus. This category includes nuts and seeds, chocolate, and gelatin.
• Sugary foods and drinks – sugar is downright bad for your immune system, as it slows down the white blood cells that defend against pathogens in the body.
• Refined carbohydrates – refined carbohydrates are high on the glycemic index, which means our body digests them much faster than other foods. This rate of digestion expends energy, draining immune response against the virus. 
• Saturated fats – studies have shown that saturated fats also negatively impact our immune system even before the effects show physically. 
• Alcohol – there’s substantial evidence showing that alcohol disrupts the immune system, worsening and slowing down the healing of shingles. It also messes with your gut microbiome or the collection of gut bacteria, a key element in digestive health.

Treatment

Aside from natural treatment in food consumption, several medications also help against shingles. Shingles is a viral infection, so medicines cannot cure it. Instead, medication is aimed at managing the symptoms of such viral infections. 

Antiviral drugs help you heal faster and suppress the virus, preventing future complications. They’re most effective as soon as you start seeing rashes, so you’ll want to see your doctor ASAP. These are the three common antiviral medications:

• Acyclovir (Zovirax)
• Famciclovir (Famvir)
• Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

Here are some home remedies for shingles while we’re at it:

• Cold showers
• Cold compress
• Baking soda and cornstarch paste
• Soothing creams
• Essential oils
• Oat baths
• Vitamin supplements
• Reduce stress

How long after testing will I get my results?

Some clinics offer a rapid HIV test, where you will be able to get your results as soon as 20 minutes! However, the overall answer to this question remains iffy. You could get your results within a few days, but you may not get them at all in some cases. If you get tested, and your results aren’t delivered to you within a few weeks, you need to make a call to follow up on them. 

What type of tests do you need to screen for different STDs?

There isn’t one universal test for all STDs, as they attack the body in unique ways. Here are the specific tests you should expect when getting tested for each particular STD. 

• HIV: specific antigen/antibody blood test
• chlamydia (CT): blood, swab, or urine tests
• gonorrhea (GC): blood, swab, or urine tests
• syphilis: blood tests
• hepatitis A: a specific antibody blood test
• hepatitis B: a specific antibody blood test
• hepatitis C: a specific antibody blood test
• oral herpes: ulcer, culture, or blood tests
• genital herpes: ulcer, culture, or blood tests
• HPV: pap smear
• trichomoniasis: NAAT blood test

How do I initiate the conversation with my doctor about getting tested?

We understand that it can be quite intimidating and nerve-wracking, and that’s perfectly normal. STD tests aren’t a part of your regular checkups, so you’re going to need to ask for one, especially if you feel like you’ve been exposed to one. 

While you might be embarrassed to talk about this with a medical professional, you don’t need to be. Experienced medical practitioners have seen and heard it all, so you won’t be surprising them with whatever you think you have. Most people will contract an STD at least once in their lives, and getting regular tests is the most responsible thing anyone can do. Keeping your concerns to yourself will only hurt you in the long run.

Here are some ways you can ask about getting tested without having to say it outright:

• I’ve never tried getting tested for STDs. Do I need to be?
• Have I ever been tested for STDs during my checkups?
• What STDs should I be wary of? What symptoms will tell me if I need to be tested?

The more information you share with your doctor, the more complete a picture you will be painting for them. They’ll be able to diagnose you with the most pressing things you need at the moment. 

What should I do if I test positive for an STD?

Finding out you have an STD can be an earth-shattering moment. You’re going to feel a mix of emotions, ranging from fear to shame to despair. It’s okay to feel all these things, but just remember, you don’t have to worry. Many people had come before you and lived with STDs, so you’ll most likely be okay. 

The best thing to do once you get this news is to get your doctor’s advice on moving forward. You can do yourself a favor by adhering to a structured treatment plan, which should cure your condition (if it isn’t viral). 

You should also get into the habit of informing your sexual partners about your condition. This is far from the easiest conversation to have, so here are some tips to help you out there. You shouldn’t despair that you’ll never be able to have sex again because that isn’t the case. With the right medication, you can live with an STD and have a fulfilling sex life.