Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are diseases that can be contracted when you have sexual contact with another infected party. Due to the nature of these diseases, people who have sex with more partners are more likely to contract an STD, especially if they are unaware of the measures they can take to prevent STDs. This is especially true for sex workers, whose primary income comes from having sex with others. Less promiscuous people are also at risk of contracting STDs, even if they have only been in monogamous sexual relationships. There is always a reason to get tested for STDs in Singapore, but here are the top three reasons to ensure you’re in the pink of your sexual health.
1. Keep yourself in top shape
Some STDs can be lethal in the later stages of infection (HIV). If not, they can impair your life drastically, by causing blindness, deafness (syphilis) or impotency (gonorrhea). To ensure that you have a long and fulfilling life, it is of utmost importance that you constantly get tested in STD clinics in Singapore.
If you are tested positive for any STD, you should immediately seek treatment with your STD doctor, who will advise you on the best ways to recover. Early treatment of STDs will help prevent the disease from doing too much damage to the body. While some diseases can be cured with simple courses of antibiotics, others may require more extensive treatment. HIV is not curable, but there are medicines that can help delay the virus from doing damage to your body. Consult your STD doctor if you have questions about the testing or treatment process.
You should also get tested often because it does take some time for the disease to become detectable. For example, with HIV, you need a minimum of 3 weeks before a test can accurately detect whether you have produced HIV antibodies. If you have sex very frequently, it is thus recommended that you get yourself tested often.
2. Protect your sexual partners
For those in monogamous sexual relationships, this might be your reason for frequent STD testing. By detecting for STDs, you can ascertain whether or not you are infected. If you are, you can then make the conscious choice to avoid having sex so that you do not infect your partner. If you are not, then you can heave a sigh of relief, as you and your partner can enjoy safe sex without worrying too much about contracting an STD. In both cases, it is important to remain faithful to your partner, so as to decrease the risk of contracting an STD from an external party.
3. Educate yourself on sexual health
Seeing an STD doctor is a great opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have regarding sexual health, such as the symptoms of various STDs, their modes of transmission and how you can make a conscious effort to prevent these infections. STD doctors are more than happy to educate you during your consultation, and you can walk away with a better understanding of how to maintain good sexual health.
