A new study reports that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are increasing in American women and these infections mainly include Chlamydia and gonorrhoeae infections. The complete findings of this study are published in the journal “American Journal of Preventive Medicine.”
Harvey W. Kaufman from Quest Diagnostics and his research team studied the increased cases of Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoeae linked infections, confirmed by the laboratory tests among 17,794,680 women. These tests were confirmed from the Quest Diagnostics during the years 2010 and 2017. These women belonged to the ages of 12 to 30 years.
Also read- Low Glutamate Diet May Treat the Patients of Gulf War Syndrome
They were able to draw a conclusion that the Chlamydia trachomatis reduced in the young girls i.e. 12 years to 17 years during the years 2010 to 2017. It was calculated at nearly 17% decline. However, the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) mainly chlamydia was highest among women from 18 years to 24 years of age. This increase was recorded at approximately 21%.
Just like chlamydia, gonorrhea, another STD was also seen on the rise. For the youngest aged girls that were 12 years to 17 years the risk of Neisseria gonorrhoeae declined between this period. But in women above 18 years of age, it increased by 27%.
The authors of this study wrote that health care providers in the country should pay attention to the factors contributing to this increase. The changing trends and likelihood of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections are worrisome. It can only be controlled through certain prevention techniques, for which women have to be informed and educated about their sexual health. Although there are treatments available to completely recover from these STDs but avoiding them in the first place is much more desirable.
The study highlights women between 25 to 30 years of age to be the high-risk group. During this time, they are working to build a career, making relationships, or planning for families; it is necessary to educate them on the potential risks to their sexual health which may ruin their other plans in life.
The U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) affect men and women differently. Generally, the STDs are a huge challenge for public health management, and people, especially women are at a higher risk of contracting them. They are also more likely to experience the long-term side effects and delayed treatment as compared to women.
Also read- Early Coronavirus Vaccine Approval- Why is it Dangerous?
Only in the U.S, more than 24,000 women are identified with infertility caused by any underlying condition which is mostly an untreated sexually transmitted infection. In addition to this, an untreated std may also increase the risk of syphilis for a pregnant mother and may cause infant death in the worst case.
To control these problems, timely diagnosis and effective treatments can be of great help but what to do if these STDs are never diagnosed on time or ignored completely? The researchers emphasize educating women about making their sexual health a priority and do everything to get medical attention. Practices such as personal hygiene, regular checkups, and safe sex should be promoted and followed by all women to save themselves from these STDs.
