STI, BCm, and Menstrual cycle study

What is Syphilis caused by?

Bacteria

What are the symptoms for Syphilis?

Sores on the rectum, genitals, lips, or on the mouth. There are many other symptoms that resemble ones of other diseases.

What are the long-term effects of Syphilis?

The infection can spread to the hands and feet.

What is Gonorrhea caused by?

Bacteria

What can Gonorrhea cause?

Infection in the genitals, rectum and throat.

What STIs can be transmitted through childbirth/mother-to-baby?

Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Herpes, and HIV

What STIs can be spread without symptoms?

Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Herpes, HPV, and HIV

What STIs can be cured with antibiotics?

Syphilis and Gonorrhea (but permanent damage will remain), and Chlamydia

What are the male symptoms for Gonorrhea?

Painful or burning sensation when urinating

A white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis

Painful or swollen testicles

What are the female symptoms for Gonorrea?

Painful or burning sensation when urinating

Increased vaginal discharge

Vaginal bleeding between periods

What is Chlamydia caused by?

Bacteria

How long until symptoms for Chlamydia may appear?

They may not appear until several weeks after having sex with an infected partner

How common is Chlamydia?

Most common bacterial STI in the United States

What are the female symptoms for Chlamydia?

Abnormal vaginal discharge

Burning sensation when urinating

What are the male symptoms for Chlamydia?

Discharge from the penis

Burning sensation when urinating

Pain and swelling in one or both testicles 

What are the long-term effects of Chlamydia?

Permanent damage to the female reproductive system, making it difficult or impossible to get pregnant later in life

Potentially deadly ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus)

What is Herpes caused by?

Caused by two types of viruses, herpes simplex 1 (oral) & 2 (genital).

In Herpes, where is the virus contained?

Fluid found in a herpes sore carries the virus and contact with this fluid can cause infection.

How common is Herpes?

Second most common viral STI in the United States and about 1 in every 6 people ages 15 to 49 have genital herpes

What STIs cannot be cured by antibiotics?

Herpes, HPV, and HIV/AIDS (medications may be able to reduce symptoms and make it harder/prevent the spread to others)

What are the symptoms for Herpes?

One or more blisters on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth (depending on the simplex)

Blisters break and leave painful sores (outbreak)

Unusual sores

What is HPV caused by?

A virus

How common is HPV?

Most common viral STI in the United States

What are the symptoms of HPV?

Genital warts that usually appear as a small bump or group of bumps in the genital area (can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower)

How long can symptoms of Chlamydia take to appear?

A person can develop symptoms years after having sex with someone who is infected

What can HPV cause?

Cervical cancer

What is HIV caused by?

A virus

What does HIV/AIDS do?

It attacks the body's immune system and makes it hard to fight off infections

How common is HIV?

Decreasing, but an estimated 1 in 8 people living with HIV do not know they have it. 

What are the symptoms of HIV and when do they occur?

Flu-like symptoms usually occur 2-4 weeks after exposure but can sometimes take 6 months or longer.

Fever

Weight loss

Night sweats

Pain in abdomen

What is abstinence?

Definitions vary between people. For some it means having no intimate sexual contact, while for others it means having limited contact (no sexual intercourse.)

How effective is abstinence?

100% effective at preventing pregnancy and STIs if there is NO intimate sexual contact.

Can pregnancy occur without intercourse?

Yes, sperm can reach the vagina if it is ejaculated close to the entrance or in an area that comes in contact with the vagina.

What is birth control?

Methods used to prevent pregnancy, also known as contraception.

What should you consider when looking at birth control options?

Effectiveness, protection against STIs, and ease of use.

What are the three categories of birth control?

Sterilization, Hormonal (short-acting and long-acting reversible) and Barrier.

What is tubal ligation?

A procedure that closes the fallopian tubes. This blocks an egg and sperm from meeting.

What is the effective rate for sterilization methods?

Nearly 100%

Do sterilization and hormonal methods prevent against STIs?

Does NOT prevent STIs

What are the side effects of tubal ligation?

Issues with anesthesia and bleeding/bruising at incision site

What is a vasectomy?

A procedure to close the vas deferens which blocks sperm from getting into the semen that is ejaculated from the penis.

Do sperm and semen still exist, even after a vasectomy?

Yes, semen is still created, but there is no sperm in it. Sperm is still created but is absorbed by the body.

What are the side effects of a vasectomy?

Issues with anesthesia and swelling, bleeding, bruising of scrotum.

What are the hormonal birth control methods?

Implantable (rod or IUD), Injection (shot), Oral (pill), Transdermal (through skin.)

What do hormonal methods do to prevent pregnancy?

They use estrogen, progestin, or a combination to interfere with ovulation (prevents an egg from being released) or it’s an implantation in the uterus.

What is the implantable rod?

Thin plastic rod that is placed under the skin of the upper arm that releases a hormone (progestin).

How effective is the implantable rod and IUD?

More than 99%

What are the possible side effects of the implantable rod?

Infection at insertion site

Irregular bleeding between periods

Breast tenderness

What is an IUD?

Small plastic T-shaped device inserted into the uterus, releases the hormone progestin which thickens the cervical mucus and prevents the sperm from swimming to the egg.

How long can a implantable rod remain effective?

3 years

How long can an IUD remain effective for?

3-12 years, depends on the brand

What are the possible side effects of an IUD?

Irregular bleeding between periods

Breast tenderness

Cramps

What is the injection birth control?

A shot of the hormone progestin in the arm or buttocks every 3 months.

How effective is the injection birth control method?

94%

What are the possible side effects of the injection birth control?

Irregular bleeding between periods

Breast tenderness

Weight gain

What is the oral contraceptive?

Contains different combinations of hormones (estrogen &/or progestin) to interfere with ovulation and make cervical mucus thicker (prevent sperm from entering)

How often does the oral contraceptive need to be used?

Female takes one pill daily for 28 days (3 weeks with hormones, 1 week placebo to enable menstruation)

How effective is the oral contraceptive and the transdermal method (patch)?

91%

What are the possible side effects of the oral contraceptive?

Irregular bleeding between periods

Breast tenderness

Nausea 

Lighter periods

Less cramps

What is the transdermal method?

"The Patch" is a thin, plastic patch that sticks to the skin and releases hormones (estrogen & progestin) through the skin into the bloodstream.

How often does the transdermal (patch) need to be used?

A new patch is applied on the once a week for 3 weeks, and no patch is used on the fourth week to enable menstruation.

What are the possible side effects of the transdermal (patch) method?

Rash/redness on skin

Irregular bleeding between periods

Breast tenderness

What is the male condom?

A thin sheath that covers the erect (hard) penis that collects sperm and prevents it from entering the woman's body.

Do barrier methods protect against STIs?

DOES protect against STIs

How effective is the male condom?

82%

What are the risks/side effects of the barrier methods?

Improper use can lead to pregnancy/STI

Latex allergy

What is the female condom?

A thin, flexible plastic pouch. A portion of the condom is inserted into a female's vagina before intercourse to prevent sperm from entering the uterus.

How effective is the female condom?

79%

What is the withdrawal method?

Attempting to remove the penis from the vagina before ejaculation.

How effective is the withdrawal method?

78%

Why is the withdrawal method risky?

Increased risk for pregnancy and STI since a small amount of sperm is released before ejaculation and sperm can still “swim” to the vagina if it is close enough.

What are the most common methods of contraception for people aged 15-49 years old?

1. Female sterilization

2. Birth control pill

3. IUD

4. Implantable rod

5. Male condom

How long is the menstrual cycle supposed to last?

28 days but can vary depending on the individual.

What happens in the 1-7 days of the menstrual cycle?

Uterus lining breaks down, menstruation occurs.

What happens in the 8-11 days of the menstrual cycle?

The lining of the womb thickens in preparation for the egg.

What happens in the 12-17 days of the menstrual cycle?

Ovulation occurs (the egg is released)

When is pregnancy most likely to occur?

During ovulation.

Can you get pregnant while you’re on your period?

Yes, but it’s a very low chance

What happens in the 18-25 days of the menstrual cycle?

If fertilization has not taken place, the corpus luteum fade away.

What happens in the 26-28 days of the menstrual cycle?

The uterus lining detaches, leading to menstruation.