Issue Eight Helping stop the spread of sexually transmitted infections This month: Sexual health Get clued up on sexual health with issue eight of Your Wellbeing, where we talk about the symptoms, myths and tips around STIs. Next month: Cancer awareness Supported by Bupa Boost
Helping stop the Lots of us shy away from safe sex advice. We often leave it to the teens and twenty-somethings starting out on their first relationships, when really sexual health is important no matter what your age. spread of sexually transmitted infections
Who gets sexually transmitted infections? Anyone who has sex without the right protection is at risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Although STIs are most common in younger people, rates have actually dropped in this age group and steadily increased in adults between the ages of 35 and 65 1. What are the most common STIs? Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes and genital warts are the most common STIs in the UK. Why are we seeing more STIs between the ages 35 and 65? More people are now living longer, finding new partners later in life and enjoying an active sex life up to a later age. As a result, people in this age group have to think about contraception for the first time in years if ever. How can I reduce my risks? Use condoms for vaginal, anal and oral sex. Before sex with a new partner, you should both get an STI test. Don t have sex until you get the all clear if you ve been diagnosed with an STI.
STI symptoms for women Thicker or more discharge than usual from your vagina or anus. Pain or difficulty passing urine. Itching, rashes, lumps, sores or blisters around your vagina or anus. Stinging, burning, pain and/or vaginal bleeding during or after sex. Bleeding between your periods. Pain in your lower abdomen (tummy). STI symptoms for men Unusual discharge from your penis or anus. Pain or difficulty passing urine. Itching, rashes, lumps, sores or blisters around your penis or anus. Pain or swelling of your testicles and/or epididymis (the tube that runs down the back of each testicle). Had unprotected sex but haven t had symptoms? It s possible to have an STI and not experience any symptoms at all. So, if you ve had unprotected sex and think you could be at risk of infection, it s still important to get checked out by a doctor.
Sexual health myths Our Medical Director, Dr Lizzie Tuckey, busts some of the most common myths around STIs. I don t have to worry about STIs I m not promiscuous, and neither is my partner Everyone is vulnerable to STIs, no matter what your age or walk of life. You can get an STI if you ve had sex once or 1000 times and if you ve had multiple partners or are in a relationship with just one person. You can t get an STI through oral sex Although there s generally less risk of passing on an infection through oral sex, it is possible especially if you or your partner has cuts, sores or ulcers around your lips, mouth, genitals or anus. Some infections, like herpes, gonorrhoea and syphilis, are easier to pass on in this way than others. I d know if my partner had an STI Not necessarily. Actually, many people who have an STI don t even realise themselves. Around 7 in 10 women with chlamydia and half of men infected 2 don t have any signs or symptoms. STIs will go away on their own This is very unlikely. If you put off getting treatment, there s a greater risk of long-term problems, including infertility, and passing the infection on to any partners. It s often easy to treat an STI, so go to your GP or GUM (genitourinary medicine) clinic as soon as possible.
Bupa health insurance is provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 3956433. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Arranged and administered by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales No. 3829851. Registered office: Bupa House, 15-19 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2BA. Bupa 2016 1 Table 2: STI diagnoses & rates by gender, sexual risk & age group, 2010 2014. Public Health England. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/ file/436724/2014_table_2_sti_ diagnoses rates_by_gender sexual_risk age_group.pdf, published 13 January 2016. 2 Chlamydia. Family Planning Clinic. http://www.fpa.org.uk/sexually-transmitted-infections-stis-help/chlamydia, reviewed July 2014 BHF 06611 JUL16