International Women¡¯s Day: Sexually transmitted diseases affect 1 in 3 women globally; experts discuss risk of undiagnosed STI cases

Women's health is quite complicated. Well, we all talk about heart health problems, skincare, PCOS, and more when it comes to their health issues, but one thing that we often miss talking about is their sexual health. On International Women's Day, let's discuss a common yet potentially serious vaginal infection called sexually transmitted infection (STI).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the vaginal infection affects nearly 1 in 3 women across the world. ¡°These infections are spread mostly through?contact with infected genital and bodily secretions. Typical routes include sexual contact¡ªvaginal, oral, or anal¡ªskin-to-skin contact, transmission from mother to fetus during pregnancy or childbirth, blood transfusions, and even sharing needles,¡± Dr. Harpreet Kaur, Senior?Consultant¡ªObstetrics & Gynecology, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneshwar gives a rundown on STDs and STIs.

One difficulty in dealing with those conditions is that many STDs?do not have symptoms immediately; symptoms emerge approximately seven to eight weeks after exposure. Dr. Kaur says, ¡°Symptoms like genital itching, fetid discharge,?pain during urination, discomfort in the lower abdomen, and irregular vaginal bleeding or eruptions around the vulval and anal areas should help trigger an evaluation.¡±

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Occurrences of STIs have increased through unprotected sex

The occurrences of STIs have increased through unprotected sex, multiple partners, and varying sexual practices, even within the same sex, she explains.

One of the biggest obstacles is the societal stigma associated with?sexual health ¡ª especially for women ¡ª which often prevents diagnosis and treatment, says Dr. Hwan Kyung Yoo, a female physician who also treated some victims. ¡°These infections can be easily identified with basic diagnostic tests, including swabs of the vagina and urethra, Pap smears and blood tests for HIV and syphilis,¡± Dr.?Kaur argues.

Treatment usually consists of antibiotics or antivirals, depending on the?type of infection. Most significantly, she recommends that women?not wait to experience symptoms before they seek medical advice. Whether a doubt lingers after forced protection, multiple partners have raised concerns, or?pregnancy-related symptoms have struck, the consultation has to be early. Preventative strategies, including the consistent use of barrier methods (such as condoms), regular screenings (every three years) and vaccination?to reduce risks of warts and cervical cancer caused by HPV, are important tools for minimising both the personal and public health burden of STIs.

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Breaking taboos about STIs

Dr Kinjal Avdhut Kothari, Associate Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Manipal Hospital Goa expands on this discussion?and talks about the repercussions of undiagnosed STIs. She emphasises, ¡°These infections can quietly wreak havoc on women¡¯s health, with infections like human papillomavirus (HPV) processes that can increase the risk of serious gynecologic cancers, including of the cervix, vulva?and vagina.¡±

Dr. Kothari is especially worried?about taboos that limit women¡¯s access to timely treatment. ¡°Breaking taboos through open discussions about sexual health is vital to promote early detection and?intervention,¡± she said.

Strong public health campaigns that?encourage routine screenings for STIs ¡ª particularly via Pap smear testing ¡ª as well as more expansive efforts to increase awareness of gynecologic cancers. She highlights, ¡°Need for a collaborative, multisectoral approach to healthcare that unites?healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities in the common goal of delivering comprehensive care and education to women everywhere, especially in low-resourced settings. She even stresses the need to implement HPV vaccination programs among young individuals to prevent?future health issues.¡±

These?three experts succinctly highlight the need for not just reactive sexual health management, but proactive sexual health management. Through the promotion of awareness, support of earlier screening and adoption of?preventative measures, women can not only significantly reduce their risk of contracting STIs, but also help to dispel the stigma that surrounds.