This week wraps up STD Awareness Month, an annual observance to encourage discussion of sexual health and routine screening for STDs for those who may be at risk.
STDs are more common than most are aware. Every year, there are more than 19-million new cases of STDs in the U.S. By age 25, an estimated one in two sexually active young people will get one. Contrary to some commonly held myths, you can get STDs through oral sex, and you may have an STD even if you don’t experience any obvious symptoms. The only way to know if you or your partner has an STD is to get screened.
Our community has led the way in regard to awareness and routine screening for HIV, yet how many of us are aware of the risks and symptoms of treatable bacteria-caused STDs such as gonorrhea, chlamydia or syphilis? How many of us are routinely screened for these infections? These infections are relatively easy to get during sexual encounters (oral, anal or vaginal) with someone who has them — and they are relatively easy to treat when diagnosed early.
Certain STDs such as hepatitis B (HBV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) are caused by viruses. hepatitis B is the most common cause of liver cancer and certain strains of HPV cause genital warts while other strains of HPV are precursors for cervical or anal cancer. Vaccines are available for both hepatitis B and HPV. Vaccination for these viruses is strongly recommended for sexually active individuals — particularly men who have sex with men.
So what can we do to stay sexually safe and healthy?
— Use condoms!
— Reduce your number of sex partners.
— Get screened for STDs every three to six months — even if you’re only having oral sex.
— If you test positive for an STD, get it treated right away and let your sex partners know.
— If you drink or use recreational drugs, having condoms available and ready increases your chances of using them while under the influence.
— If your drinking or drug use is out of control, get help.
For optimal sexual health in LGBT communities, it is strongly encouraged that we be out to our health-care providers and candid about our sexual practices so that our providers can recommend the screenings most appropriate for us.
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has a user-friendly website, www.STDphilly.org, that includes a lot of helpful sexual-health information specific to different populations, age groups and sexual behaviors. The site also provides times and locations to access free STD screening and treatment.
For LGBT communities, Mazzoni Center offers free, confidential STD screening services at Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St., as well as at Club Body Center, 1220 Chancellor St., and Sansom Street Gym, 2020 Sansom St. Free, confidential and anonymous rapid HIV testing is available at these sites as well.
Free, confidential STD screening available at Washington West Project:
— Syphilis (blood draw)
— Gonorrhea (urine sample, pharyngeal swab and/or rectal swab)
— Chlamydia (urine sample, pharyngeal swab and/or rectal swab) Tuesdays, 1-5 p.m. Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. Fridays, 2-5 p.m. Saturdays, 1-4 p.m.
Free, confidential and anonymous rapid HIV testing: Mondays through Fridays 9 a.m.-9 p.m. (closed from noon-1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m.)
All services are on a walk-in basis; no appointment is necessary.
Ron Powers is director of programs for Mazzoni Center, Philadelphia’s only LGBT health-care center.