Men and STDs

Sexually transmitted diseases, or STD's, encompass a wide variety of infections. Using condoms can lower your risk for some STD's, but abstinence is the only sure way to avoid them. One of the most common STD's is chlamydia (kluh-MID-ee-uh), which can cause groin pain, swelling, and burning urination in men. Human papilloma virus, also known as HPV or genital warts, is a viral infection that causes cauliflower-like growths in the genital and anal region. Another infection is gonorrhea, most commonly found in men age 20 to 24. Often, gonorrhea causes no symptoms, though you may develop a frequent need to urinate, burning urination, and redness at the tip of the penis, with a pus discharge. Herpes is a viral infection, which can appear as painful blisters around the mouth or genitals. It's most contagious when active sores are present. The most dangerous STD of all is HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Currently, there's no cure for AIDS, and almost all, if not all persons infected, will eventually die. Herpes is also incurable, and the virus that causes genital warts may lie dormant in your body, even if the warts are removed. Most other STD's can be treated with antibiotics. Prevention is the best strategy, so use condoms, limit your number of sexual partners, and ask a doctor for tips on safer sex.