This document discusses sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and contraceptive methods. It defines STIs as diseases passed through sexual contact and lists some common STIs like chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, and syphilis. Risk factors for STIs include multiple sexual partners and a history of STIs. Prevention methods include limiting partners, condom use, and immunization. Contraceptive options presented are abstinence, birth control pills, cervical caps, condoms, and vaginal rings. Symptoms and details are provided for some specific STIs like chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, and syphilis.

1. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED
INFECTIONS AND
CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS.
María Paula Suárez Morales
María José Villarreal Gómez
11-2

2. WHAT ARE SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED
INFECTIONS? (STI’s)
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases that are passed from one person to another through
sexual by contact with skin, genitals, mouth, rectum and body fluids. The causes of STIs are bacteria,
parasites and viruses. There are more than 20 types of STIs, including:
 Chlamydia
 Genital herpes
 Gonorrhea
 HIV/AIDS
 Syphilis

3. WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR
(STI’s)?
• The following factors increase the risk of getting STIs:
• More than one sexual partner
• A partner who has or has had more than one sexual partner
• Sex with someone who has an STI
• History of STIs
• Use of intravenous drugs (injected into a vein) or partner use of intravenous drugs
• Adolescents have a higher risk of getting an STI than adults.

4. HOW TO PREVENT SEXUALLY
TRANSMITED INFECTIONS (STI’s)?
• Know your sexual partners and limit their number—Your partner’s sexual history is as important as your own.
The more partners you or your partners have, the higher your risk of getting an STI.
• Avoid risky sex practices—Sexual acts that tear or break the skin carry a higher risk of STIs. Even small cuts
that do not bleed let germs pass back and forth. Anal sex poses a high risk because tissues in the rectum tear
easily. Body fluids also can carry STIs. Having any unprotected sexual contact with an infected person poses a
high risk of getting an STI.
• Get immunized—Vaccinations are available that will help prevent hepatitis B and some types of HPV (see
FAQ191 “Human Papillomavirus [HPV] Vaccination” and FAQ125 “Protecting Yourself Against Hepatitis B
and Hepatitis C”).

5. CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS
• Contraception methods (birth control) prevents pregnancy by interfering with the normal process of
ovulation, fertilization, and implantation and prevents sexually transmitted infections (STI’s)
 Choosing Not to Have Sex Emergency Contraceptive
 Birth Control Pills Female Condom
 Cervical Cap Diaphragm
 Condoms The Patch
 The Ring The Shield

6. CHLAMYDIA
Chlamydia is an infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It is most often spread through sexual contact. Both
males and females may have chlamydia without having any symptoms. As a result, you may become infected or pass the infection
to your partner without knowing it.
Symptoms:
• pain when urinating
• unusual vaginal discharge
• pain in the tummy or pelvis
• pain or bleeding during sex
• bleeding after sex
• bleeding between periods
• heavier periods than usual

7. GENITAL HERPES
• Genital herpes is a common and highly contagious infection usually spread through sex. This infection is usually
caused by the herpes simplex virus, the virus usually responsible for cold sores. Genital herpes treatment
includes medicines to help sores heal faster and prevent outbreaks.
• Symptoms:
• small blisters that burst to leave red, open sores around your genitals, rectum (back passage), thighs and
buttocks
• blisters and ulcers on the cervix (lower part of the womb) in women
• vaginal discharge in women
• pain when you pass urine
• a general feeling of being unwell, with aches, pains and flu-like symptoms

8. GONORRHEA
Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in mucus
membranes of the body. Gonorrhea bacteria can grow in the warm.
Symptoms:
• Greenish yellow or whitish discharge from the penis
• Burning when urinating
• Burning in the throat (due to oral sex)
• Painful or swollen testicles
• Swollen glands in the throat (due to oral sex)

9. HIV/AIDS
• HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) AIDS
stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection, and not everyone who has HIV advances to this stage.
Symptoms:
• Fever
• Chills
• Night sweats
• Muscle aches
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Mouth ulcers

10. SYPHILIS
• a chronic infectious disease, caused by a spirochete, Treponema pallidum, usually venereal in origin but often congenital,
and affecting almost any organ or tissue in the body, especially the genitals, skin, mucous membranes, aorta, brain, liver,
bones, and nerves.
• Symptoms:
• In men, a chancre often appears in the genital area, usually on the penis. These sores are often painless.
• In women, chancres can develop on the outer genitals or on the inner part of the vagina. A chancre may go unnoticed if it
occurs inside the vagina or at the opening to the uterus.
• Swelling of the lymph nodes may occur near the area of the chancre.
• A chancre may also occur in an area of the body other than the genitals.
• The chancre usually lasts for 3 to 6 weeks, heals without treatment, and may leave a thin scar. But even though the chancre
has healed, syphilis is still present and a person can still pass the infection to others.

11. CHOOSING NOT TO HAVE SEX
Choosing not to have sex provides 100 percent protection from HIV, STIs, and pregnancy. For some, this
means avoiding vaginal, anal, and oral-genital intercourse altogether. Others may choose to avoid any
type of sexual or intimate contact, including hugging and kissing. Choosing not to have sex is often
referred to as “abstinence”.

12. BIRTH CONTROL PILLS
There are two types of Birth Control Pills: Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills and Progestin-Only Pills.
Combined oral contraceptive pills contain two hormones, an estrogen and a progestin. They work by
stopping ovulation (release of an egg) and by inhibiting the movement of sperm, Progestin-only pills
contain just one hormone, a progestin. They work by making cervical mucus thicker so sperm cannot get to
the egg, and by making the lining of the uterus thinner. Sometimes they stop ovulation.

13. CERVICAL CAP
• The cervical cap is a small cap made of soft latex. A doctor or nurse practitioner "fits" a woman for a
cervical cap. The woman puts spermicide (which destroys the sperm) in the cap and then places the cap
up into her vagina and onto her cervix (the opening of the womb).

14. CONDOMS
The male condom is a sheath placed over the erect penis before penetration, preventing pregnancy by
blocking the passage of sperm. It is a barrier method of contraception. A condom can be used only once.

15. THE RING
• The vaginal ring is a small, soft plastic ring that you place inside your vagina. It’s about 4mm thick and
5.5cm in diameter. You leave it in your vagina for 21 days, then remove it and throw it in the bin (not
down the toilet) in a special disposal bag. Seven days after removing the ring, you insert a new one for
the next 21 days.