It is estimated that 20 million new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) diagnosed each year are among young people aged 15–24 years. Women can have long-term effects of these diseases, including pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, tubal scarring, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain.
Sexually active females aged 25 years or younger should get tested every year for chlamydia. If left untreated, chlamydia can affect your ability to have children.
If you are diagnosed with an STD, notify your sex partners so they can be tested and receive treatment if needed. If your sex partner is diagnosed with an STD, you need to be evaluated, tested, and treated. The most reliable ways to avoid transmission of STDs, including HIV infection, are to abstain from sexual activity or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner. Latex male and female condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of some STDs.
HIV
HIV can affect anyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, gender or age. However, certain groups are at higher risk for HIV and needs consideration because of particular risk factors. In 2014, gay and bisexual men accounted for an estimated 70% (26,200) of new HIV infections in the United States. People at very high risk for HIV can take HIV medicines daily (PrEP) to greatly reduce the chances that they will get HIV. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which means taking HIV medicines soon after possible exposure to HIV, also plays a role in HIV prevention, but should be not be considered a primary means of prevention. Learn More
Hepatitis
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men have been found to have a higher chance of getting viral hepatitis including Hepatitis A, B, and C, which are diseases that affect the liver. About 10% of new Hepatitis A and 20% of all new Hepatitis B infections in the United States are among gay and bisexual men. Hepatitis A and B can be prevented through vaccinations. Effective treatments are also available for Hepatitis C. Learn More
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects both men and women who are in their late teens and early 20s. There are many different types of HPV. Some types can cause health problems including genital warts and cancers.
Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, even if you have had sex with only one person. You also can develop symptoms years after you have sex with someone who is infected. In most cases, HPV goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer.
Genital Warts are small bump or group of bumps in the genital area. They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower.
HPV vaccine is recommended for young women through age 26, and young men through age 21. GARDASIL®9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant) helps protect girls and women ages 9 to 26 against cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and anal cancers and genital warts caused by 9 types of HPV. Cervarix is also approved for use in females 10 through 25 years of age and offers protection against HPV virus 16 and 23.
