An Unequal Epidemic: STDs in Women

Every year, more than 20 million new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) occur—and those are only the infections that are diagnosed. STDs, including human papillomavirus (HPV), gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia, disproportionately affect women.

 Reasons for this include:

• Women are less likely to experience symptoms than men, so they often discover their infection later.
• Bacteria thrives in warm, moist environments like the vagina that encourage growth.
• The vagina is an internal organ, which can make it more difficult to see symptoms, such as rashes or sores, unlike the penis, which is external.
• Symptoms such as discharge and vaginal itching are also symptoms of common yeast infections, making it easier for women to consider them just another minor concern rather than an STD.

How Women Are Affected

STDs affect women differently from men in a variety of ways, including:

• Many STDs can cause infertility, affecting a woman’s future plans to reproduce.
• STDs can also cause ectopic pregnancies, which can result in infertility and even threaten the mother’s life if the condition isn’t identified early enough.
• Pregnant mothers can pass STDs to their unborn children, resulting in a variety of difficulties, including brain damage, low birth weight, early delivery and stillbirth.
• HPV is the most common STD in women and is the most common cause of cervical cancer. While HPV also affects men, serious health problems for men are far less common.

Open communication with your partner is critical to protecting yourself from STDs. Be sure to take proper precautions, such as using condoms during sexual activity, and talk to your primary care doctor about your personal risk factors.

 Seniors and STDs

Sexual health is just as important for seniors as it is for younger adults. Yet, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rates of sexually transmitted disease (STD) infections are still on the rise. From 2007 to 2011, syphilis cases among adults 65 and older rose 52 percent. Chlamydia cases rose 31 percent during that same time.

Regular STD screening is less common for older adults and is possibly one contributor to increased infection rates. Women who have experienced menopause have thinner vaginal tissue, which increases potential for infection. Older adults may also downplay the need for condoms due to decreased (or nonexistent) chances of pregnancy.

While many STDs are easily treated with antibiotics, the later they are diagnosed, the longer they can affect your health in serious ways. To prevent infection, engage in safe sex and talk to your doctor about resuming STD screenings, if you are sexually active. You can have a happy, fulfilling sex life as a senior—just protect yourself.

Has it been a while since your last check-up, or do you need a new physician? Call us at 317.565.0535 to request an appointment.

Sources: northwestern.edu, acog.org, iwannaknow.org, cdc.gov, ashasexualhealth.org, bcm.edu, northwestern.edu, aarp.org