Do I Need to be Tested?
Just because you can’t see it, touch it, or feel it, doesn’t mean you (or he/she) doesn’t have it!
You might need to be tested.
Take 5 minutes to find out if you need to get tested for an STD such as HIV, hepatitis, or Chlamydia.
Take the STD Wizard:
Facts about STDs
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are transmitted between partners between some form of sexual activity. You can get an STD even if you don’t go all the way (sexual intercourse). You can get an STD even if you use protection (birth control pill, condom, etc.)
STD Myth Busting
Myth Busting:
- Condoms do not protect you 100% against an STD. You can still get an STD because a condom does not cover the entire genital area. Nothing covers the entire genital area.
- Not all STDs are curable. That means that there are many that, once you get them, you will have to deal with them for life.
- You cannot tell if someone has an STD. Stare all you want, but you just won’t be able to tell. And don’t ask them, because chances are, they won’t tell you the truth.
- STDs have life-long consequences. If you get one, it could affect your ability to have a child in the future, it can cause cervical cancer, and it can cause problems in future relationships.
Take 5 minutes to find out if you need to get tested for an STI such as HIV, hepatitis, or Chlamydia.
Take the STD Wizard:
Here is the 411 on the most common STDs/STIs:
Genital Herpes
There are two types of Herpes. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is oral herpes (usually cold sores in the mouth and on the lips) and Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is genital herpes (sores around the genitals). Most people have few signs or symptoms of the infection.
This disease causes small, but painful, sores that can burst and cause itching and burning. Outbreaks can last a few weeks but can reoccur on a regular basis. This means that once you get Herpes you don’t get rid of it. You will have this virus for life. This virus stays in your body and can be passed from mother to baby during delivery if the mother has active genital herpes at the time of delivery. There are medications available to help lessen and shorten each outbreak. You can pass this virus on to others even when you don’t have visible signs.
The only way to prevent Herpes is to practice sexual abstinence–abstaining from any sexual contact–prior to marriage and to stay faithful to your marriage partner.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
This is a sexually transmitted disease that is named after a group of viruses that includes more than 100 different types. This is a disease that can infect the entire sexual area, so wearing a condom does not protect you. Some of the viruses can lead to cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus or penis. Genital warts is a result of HPV. Any type of genital contact can lead to HPV and most infections have no signs or symptoms so most infected people don’t know they have it. There is no cure for HPV.
The only way to prevent HPV is to practice sexual abstinence–abstaining from any sexual contact–prior to marriage and to stay faithful to your marriage partner.
Chlamydia
This is one of the most common STDs and can damage a woman’s reproductive organs, causing her to be unable to have a child. Chlamydia is known as a “silent” disease because many don’t know they have been infected.
If left untreated, the bacteria can infect the cells of your cervix and that can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause an infection called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID can cause permanent damage, which can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility (inability to get pregnant) and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus).
Chlamydia can be treated and cured with antibiotics if you know you have it and seek immediate treatment.
The only way to prevent Chlamydia is to practice sexual abstinence–abstaining from any sexual contact–prior to marriage and to stay faithful to your marriage partner.
For More Information on these and other STDs please check out this website:
Sources include:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of STD Prevention
Pregnancy
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a realistic result of having sex. There isn’t anything out there that will protect you 100% EXCEPT for abstaining from sex (i.e., not doing it).
So what do you do if you find out you’re pregnant? Well, the first thing we would say is you should talk to someone. Don’t try to pretend it isn’t happening. Your best option in this area is Crossroads Pregnancy Center. Visit their website to see all their services. You want someone who knows what they are talking about and can help you–all free and confidential, of course. Call today and set up an appointment. They are caring and will give you information on all of your options.
By the way, what are you options? Well, there are three:
- Parenting
- Adoption
- Abortion
Crossroads Pregnancy Center will talk to you about each one and give you the facts you need to make the best choice for you and your baby.
Parenting is a great choice, but hard if you are young. Being a parent changes everything. There is another living, breathing person who will depend on you for everything. This is a 24/7 job. You’ll need to think about this and see if you are capable, and have a good support system in place, to do this right now.
Adoption is a loving choice. Adoption does not mean you don’t love your baby. Actually, it means you really do love your baby. Adoption isn’t an easy choice but it means you are willing to put your baby’s needs above your own. You realize that right now you can’t give your baby the best and therefore, you want your baby to be raised by a couple who can. Crossroads Pregnancy Center can help by answering some of the questions you might have as you consider whether or not adoption is a good option for you.
Abortion is a difficult choice. Many times women look at abortion as an option because they think that is their only option. It isn’t. If you are thinking about this choice, it is very important that you get all of the facts. Many women regret their abortion decision later in life. At the time they thought it was what they wanted, but later feel guilt or shame. There are complications to having an abortion, too. It is a surgical procedure. Make sure you get all the facts and how it will affect you emotionally, physically, even spiritually, before you decide. Crossroads Pregnancy Center has trained counselors that will give you the factual information about abortion. Call them today.
We are here for you and will help you make the best decision – one that you won’t regret.
Crossroads Pregnancy Center (CPC) does not refer for or recommend abortion. We are a non-profit organization. This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical advice.