Promoting good sexual health - Galway Independent

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Promoting good sexual health

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Wednesday, 14 February 2007

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Provisional figures show that slightly more than eight out of ten (81 per cent) STIs reported are found in people aged between 20 and 39. The majority of reported STIs (63.6 per cent) are found in the 20 to 29 age bracket.

STIs are Sexually Transmitted Infections, which can be passed on from one person to another during sexual contact. STIs are caused by bacteria, viruses and other microscopic organisms, which are present in the blood, semen, body fluids or the pubic area of an infected person. Most STIs once diagnosed can be cured with treatment early, as STIs can cause serious and permanent damage.

However, some infections lie dormant in the body for months without any visible signs. There is no natural immunity to STIs, so anyone can be infected from a single sexual contact with an infected person. About 80 per cent of women infected by chlamydia will have no symptoms. Possible symptoms are a slight increase in vaginal discharge caused by the cervix becoming inflamed, a need to pass urine more often or pain when passing urine, lower abdominal pain, pain during sex, irregular menstrual bleeding.

Left untreated in women, chlamydia can sometimes spread to the womb and fallopian tubes. Infection here may eventually lead to pain, blockages of tubes and infertility. If a woman has chlamydia when she is pregnant, she risks having an ectopic pregnancy or premature birth. The infection can be passed on to the baby giving it an eye or lung infection. Chlamydia can also lead to chronic (long-term) pelvic pain, if left untreated.

Men are more likely to notice symptoms than women are, but about 20 per cent may not notice any discharge either, as the germ tends to hide itself inside the cells of your body and may even be found in people who show no symptoms of infection at all. Possible symptoms include discharge from the penis, which may be white, cloudy and watery and may stain underwear, and pain when passing urine.

Left untreated, chlamydia may cause painful inflammation of the testicles, which may cause infertility. If you think you have become infected, contact your GP or STI clinic. Infectious Disease Clinics are located in University College Hospital Galway and Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe by appointment only. All consultations are strictly confidential. Various tests will determine whether infection is present. Most treatments are simple and painless. Treatment varies from injections and tablets to lotions and creams, depending on the condition diagnosed. Sexual contact should be avoided during treatment. It is vital that you inform sexual partners, so that they can get themselves tested too.

NUIG's Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance Week will be a fun event to let students know that protecting their health is something to be comfortable about.

"Sexual health isn't just about contraception or STIs, although these are significant aspects. It also has to do with attitudes towards sexual relationships and respecting those of others. We want students to know that they are in control of own sexual health and activity," says Roisín McGrogan, Students' Union Vice President and Welfare Officer.

The week's events will include sexual health quizzes, an Ann Summers party, a FilmSoc screening of the movie 'Boys Don't Cry', speed dating on Valentine's Day, condom games, to increase familiarity and comfort with condoms, and a traffic light party. The acclaimed Craic project, which has seen student volunteers distributing personal safety, alcohol awareness and sexual health information on the Galway social scene since September, will continue to run on campus throughout the week.

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