What to do if you are experiencing STD Symptoms
If you are having sex regularly possibly with multiple partners you could be experiencing STD symptoms. These symptoms can occur regardless of what type of sex, vaginal, oral or anal, that you are having, or whether or not you use condoms. When correctly used consistently, condoms are highly effective for reducing transmission of STDs, but it is true to say that no method is 100% safe other than complete abstinence, particularly so with STD’s such as genital warts and genital herpes.
The first and most important thing you should do if you are experiencing STD symptoms is to get tested to see if you have contracted a sexually transmitted disease. Private testing centres are conveniently sited throughout London and other major cities in the UK and here you can be evaluated, and if diagnosed with an STD, be treated. It’s also essential to inform any partners so that they can be evaluated and treated. If untreated, STDs can increase your risk of acquiring another STD such as HIV. All tests are carried out in complete confidence, anonymously if you wish.
Testing for Syphilis
The rates of syphilis are on the increase and it is a sexually transmitted disease which can be cured, so the sooner any symptoms are noticed and the quicker you are detected, the easier it is to cure it. Syphilis is a bacterial infection usually spread by sexual contact and it usually starts as a painless sore on your genitals mouth or another part of your body. Without treatment it is known that it can damage your heart and brain. The groups that appear to most at risk are those men who have sex with other men.
Syphilis progresses in stages and can lead to serious complications even death and syphilis also makes you more vulnerable to HIV so early diagnosis and treatment is vital. The infection develops in four stages and the symptoms vary with each stage, although it should be noted that the stages may overlap, and symptoms don’t always occur in the same order. It is possible to be infected with syphilis and not notice any symptoms, even for years. When caught early, syphilis can be cured with antibiotics, so if you consider that you may be at risk visit one of the testing clinics in London and other centres in the UK.
Is your new partner at risk from an STD?
If you have a new partner and cannot be sure about whether they may have been in contact with an STD, it makes sense to be tested for STI’s at one of the many private STD testing clinics that are to be found across London and other major cities in the UK. You can ask them to be tested for gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HIV, syphilis and hepatitis, but negative tests for these may mean the infection is just in too early of a stage to detect.
The ever present danger of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) or herpes are viruses that are difficult to test, with herpes there are no good screening tests and with HPV the testing is limited, in fact in men, unless they have visible warts it is not possible to test them. For women the recommendation is that they not be tested before the age of thirty.
As a general rule, with new partners and someone who is not known to you, condoms should be used as these will help to protect you from STI’s but if they do not cover the whole of the skin there is still a chance that the skin that might contain an HPV or herpes virus, so the condoms may reduce, but not eliminate, the chance of such a virus being transmitted to you. If you are sexually active and especially with a number of partners, it makes sense to have regular STD tests carried out at your local private clinic, all in complete confidence.
Cholesterol worries for men over 50 years of age
If you are a man and you are aged over 50 years of age then it almost a certainty that your cholesterol count will be higher than either that of a woman or a 20 year old, these are biological facts.
Cholesterol is the formation of fat or waxy like substances in the lipids or fats in the bloodstream and in all your body’s cells and is divided into two types LDL which is the bad or problem one and HDL which is the one we require or good cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to serious problems including strokes and heart attacks and is one of the main causes of these problems in men.
Medication has been developed which can reduce the levels of bad cholesterol, whilst at the same time increasing the amount of HDL good cholesterol. Astra Zeneca’s product Crestor is used in the treatment of high cholesterol and men over the age of 50 are now able to buy Crestor online which can dramatically reduce their cholesterol levels. To get the most benefit from Crestor it is recommended to keep a diet low in saturated fats and to exercise regularly.
Is there a common STD?
An STD that is on the increase particularly amongst the young, one which affects both men and women is Chlamydia. It is very common in the under 25 age group with around one person in ten who have had an STD test showing signs of the infection. For most people they will not know that they have the disease, without obvious signs or symptoms, unlike many others sexually transmitted diseases.
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection of your genital tract that spreads easily through sexual contact and because the disease does not have obvious signs, it is often referred to as the invisible infection. When the symptoms do appear in men, they are likely to be discharge from the penis and possible more frequent and painful urinating. In the case of women, changes in the normal discharge from the vagina, more frequent and painful urinating, pain during sex, bleeding between, or irregular periods. Testing for Chlamydia is simple and is undertaken at clinics throughout London and other cities. It is recommended that all those under the age of 25 years, and sexually active, are regularly tested at least every year, also every time they change partner to make sure they’re clear.
Testing for HIV/Aids
There is only one way that you will know whether or not you are infected with HIV/AIDS and that is to be tested at one of the many testing clinics that can be found in London and other major cities. You cannot rely on symptoms alone because many people who are infected with HIV do not have symptoms for many years. Someone can look and feel healthy but can still be infected; it is believed that over 25% of people infected with the disease have no idea that they have contracted HIV/AIDS
It is important to know if you may have an HIV infection because once HIV enters the body it starts to produce antibodies and it is these antibodies that most HIV test look for, not the virus itself. Protecting yourself and others is vital and getting treatment to alleviate the effects of this disease is important. All tests carried out by the private London testing centres are absolutely confidential, quick and simple. It is better to know soon whether or not that you have HIV.
Smoking and your health
We know that smoking is not good for our health but many, particularly the young seem to ignore the benefits that can be achieved when you stop smoking. Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but when you see the drastic improvements to your life and health it is really motivating. It is not just harm that you could be doing to yourself, but there is increasing evidence that second hand smoke can cause problems to other too.
Many people stop smoking through personal determined efforts but it is much easier if you get help through simple medication. Pfizer have developed a drug, varenicline tartrate, marketed as Chantix which has the unique ability to partially activate nicotinic receptors in the brain, reducing a person’s craving for nicotine when they quit smoking. Nicotine is highly addictive and Chantix helps to offer the person quitting mild nicotine-like effects and eases symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, also Chantix has the unique ability to neutralize the effects of nicotine if a person smokes while using this drug. It is now possible to buy Chantix online and there can be no doubt that following the recommended dose and instruction will ensure that you will soon become smoke free.
Why is STD testing important?
Sexually transmitted diseases can be life threatening if not detected and treated, which it is why you both men and women should undertake regular STD testing at one of the many centres that can be found in London and throughout other major centers in the UK. You should visit a testing centre if you see any signs of genital sores, including fluid filled blisters, ulcerations or warts, or if you have an unusual discharge from your penis or vagina. If you’re a woman, abdominal pain or fever along with unusual discharge may indicate pelvic inflammatory disease, which is a condition that can result in infertility.
Men and women indulging in unprotected sex with multiple partners are the most at risk, but having sex with one person who is infected with an STD with be at great risk. Women in particular who are undergoing regular smear testing should not assume that they are also receiving STD testing. This is almost certainly not the case. Sexually active women under the age of 24 years and those over this age, particularly with new or multiple partners should get screened annually for gonorrhea and Chlamydia. Men having sex with men are at the greatest risk and should undertake to have regular STD testing. Most testing carried out at private clinics in London and other centres is simple and completely confidential, with results available quickly by ‘phone or by collection.
If your STD test is positive!
If you are sexually active, particularly with more than one partner it is common sense to be tested regularly for STD’s this will ensure that you will know if you have a problem and can act quickly to ensure that you receive the correct treatment for the infection. Should you test positive for one of the numerous sexually transmitted infection you must consider the next step.
First you should ensure that you consider further testing followed by treatment that is recommended for the STD. Importantly you should inform all partners with whom you have had sexual relations so that can be tested also and receive treatment if necessary, not just for their health, but to prevent passing on infections to others. It is natural that you will feel ashamed, angry or afraid, this is perfectly normal and what it is worth remembering, some STD’s are now so common you will certainly not be on your own. By going to a testing centre in London or in other major cities you will have done the right thing and can discuss your concerns with your doctor.
STD testing advice for men
It is a sac fact that testing centres do not usually suggest that men are routinely tested for STD’ and STI’s, that is unless you have regular sexual contact and sexual practice with other men. If this is the case your health could well be at risk. If you regularly practice sex with other men, you should have regular screening for HIV, syphilis, Chlamydia and gonorrhea. It is a known fact that HIV and syphilis can be life-threatening if untreated, regarding Chlamydia and gonorrhea, these infections can put you at an increased risk of acquiring HIV and other STDs.
Of course, if you are heterosexual and sexually active with a number of different partners, you are at increased risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Men in these circumstances should consider regular testing. Private clinics in London and in other major centres throughout the UK will undertake STD testing which is completely confidential and the results can be given to you quickly, for HIV almost immediately, for other STD’s within 2 to 3 days by ‘phone or at the testing centre.