Health is Wealth: Join Hands in STD Prevention on Women’s Day

Sansure Biotech Mar 08, 2023

Health is wealth. As International Women’s Day in 2023 is approaching, let’s take a moment to acknowledge the importance of sexual health and STD (sexually transmitted diseases) prevention. As women, we owe it to ourselves to prioritize our wellbeing, including taking care of our sexual health. We can’t take proactive steps to protect ourselves and our partners without practicing safe sex, getting regular STD screenings, and educating ourselves on the risks and symptoms of STDs. So, let’s take a good look at our sexual health and empower ourselves with knowledge and awareness.

Although many people are aware of STDs, they may not be aware that they are even avoidable. Some people mix up STDs with STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections). The presence of an STI indicates an infection but not an illness. Diseases are caused by infections and develop as a result of inadequate or delayed medical care. Knowing the signs of an STI will help to take the best precautions to avoid long-term damage.

Prevalence of STDs and STIs:

STIs, most of which are asymptomatic, account for more than 1 million new cases of infection each day. Around 374 million new cases of one of the four treatable STIs—chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis—are reported each year. Each year, people between the ages of 15 and 24 account for 50% of all new STD incidences^[1]. A diagnosis of an STI affects more than 9 million women annually in the US^[2].

General Causes of STDs:

STI-related health issues, such as infertility, frequently affect women more severely than they do men. Gonorrhea and chlamydia increase the chance of ectopic pregnancy, which can be fatal, and chronic pelvic pain if they are not cured. Furthermore, chlamydia and gonorrhea might lead to infertility. Up to 40% of baby deaths caused by untreated syphilis in pregnant women are fatal^[3]. Compared to men, women are more likely to contract an STI during unprotected vaginal sex. Women are considerably more at risk for contracting an STI through unprotected anal intercourse than from unprotected vaginal sex. Globally, STIs have a significant influence on sexual and reproductive health. Moreover, HPV infections are the leading cause of cervical cancer and anal cancer in males who have sex with men. Therefore, STD prevention and its timely diagnosis such as chlamydia trachomatis diagnostic, syphilis screening, HPV diagnostic tests are important.

The probability of contracting HIV can be increased by STIs such as herpes, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Stillbirth, neonatal mortality, low birth weight, preterm, sepsis, neonatal conjunctivitis, and congenital abnormalities can all be caused by the mother-to-child transfer of STIs. Cervical cancer and other malignancies are caused by HPV infection. An expected 820,000 people died from hepatitis B in 2019^[4], primarily from cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer. Women’s pelvic inflammatory illness and infertility are frequently brought on by STIs including gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Women versus Men:

The contribution of gender inequality to the spread of the HIV/AIDS outbreak has become more and more evident as time has gone on. Women make up about half of people infected with the virus globally, and because of their inferior status to men, they are more likely to contract the disease and find it more difficult to get treatment once they do. To improve the region’s health, women must have better access to education, the workforce, and social and political opportunities. However, it does affect men too and leads to a number of issues, from uncomfortable and burning symptoms during urination or sexual activity to excruciating pain in the testicles. Long-term complications, including infertility brought on by testicular injury or scarring of the efferent seminal ducts.

Prevention and Detection of STDs:

In the end, what’s more, important is to work for STD prevention and protection, and make use of the available options and effective methods for better safety. A range of products such as CT/UU/NG – Chlamydia Trachomatis/Ureaplasma Urealyticum/Neisseria Gonorrhoeae DNA Diagnostic Kit, CT – Chlamydia Trachomatis DNA Fluorescence Diagnostic Kit and NG – Neisseria Gonorrhoeae DNA Fluorescence Diagnostic Kit from Sansure are easily available, which helps in quick, precise, and affordable diagnosis of relevant diseases and helps in earlier detection of the problem.

Words in the End

On this International Women’s Day, let’s take a moment to reflect on our health and commit to taking care of ourselves. Whether it’s scheduling regular check-ups, making time for exercise, or prioritizing self-care, through which we improve our quality of life and set an example for those around us.

So, let’s make this International Women’s Day the start of a journey towards a healthier and happier life!