About one in five Americans has a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Most people will have at least one STD over the course of their lifetime, and it’s easy to assume that all the most common infections are curable with a simple course of antibiotics.
Unfortunately, that’s becoming less true every year. Treatment-resistant STDs — in particular, antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea — are on the rise, creating a growing public health concern that affects sexually active people of all ages.
April is STD Awareness Month, and our team at OB-GYN Associates of Marietta is dedicated to providing our patients with the information and care they need to achieve their best health. We offer STD testing in Marietta and Woodstock, Georgia. Here’s what you should know about treatment-resistant STDs and how to protect your health.
When you have a treatment-resistant STD, it means the infection doesn’t respond to the antibiotics that typically cure it. Bacteria evolve, and they can develop resistance to the medications designed to kill them.
That means what once required a single dose of antibiotics might now need multiple rounds of different, stronger medications — and sometimes, the infection becomes extremely difficult or even impossible to treat completely.
Gonorrhea is one of the most concerning examples. Strains that resist multiple classes of antibiotics are becoming increasingly common, leaving doctors with fewer effective treatment options. Syphilis and chlamydia are also showing signs of increased resistance in certain populations.
There are a few different reasons why we’re experiencing a rise in treatment-resistant STDs. For example, overuse and misuse of antibiotics accelerate bacterial resistance. When you don’t complete your full course of antibiotics or take them when they’re not needed, you allow bacteria to adapt and survive.
Plus, increased global travel spreads resistant strains across borders, and inadequate screening allows infections to go undetected and untreated, giving them more time to develop resistance.
Treatment-resistant STDs can pose a threat to your well-being, but a few habits can help you lower your risk.
You significantly reduce your STD risk by using condoms correctly and consistently during every sexual encounter. Barrier methods remain one of your most effective defenses against developing an STD, whether it’s treatment-resistant or not.
You reduce your exposure risk by limiting the number of people you’re intimate with. Mutual monogamy with an uninfected partner provides the lowest risk.
You protect yourself by discussing sexual health openly with your partners before becoming intimate. Ask about their testing history and share your own status honestly. You have a responsibility to inform current and recent sexual partners if you’re diagnosed with an STD. This allows them to be tested and treated, helping break the chain of transmission.
You can prevent certain STDs entirely through vaccination. Both HPV and hepatitis B vaccines are available and highly effective at protecting your long-term health. Our team can help you determine if these vaccinations are a good option for you.
You need routine STD testing if you’re sexually active, especially with new or multiple partners. Many STDs show no symptoms, so you could be infected without knowing it.
Regular testing allows for early detection and treatment before infections become more serious or develop resistance. We’re here to help you determine how often you should be tested based on your individual risk factors.
If you think you might have an STD, don’t self-diagnose or self-treat. You should never use leftover antibiotics or medications from other people to treat suspected STDs. Improper treatment accelerates resistance and may not cure your infection.
If you are diagnosed with an STD, take all prescribed medication exactly as directed, even if symptoms disappear before your course of antibiotics is done. Stopping treatment early contributes to antibiotic resistance.
Make well-woman visits part of your healthcare routine. These annual exams evaluate your overall health, and they’re the ideal time to discuss your sexual health, too. Depending on your unique needs, we can assess your risk factors, recommend appropriate screening intervals, and monitor any ongoing treatment plans.
The rise of treatment-resistant STDs is concerning, but you have the power to protect yourself. Taking these preventive steps seriously helps you reduce your risk and contribute to slowing the spread of resistant infections. To learn more or schedule an STD screening, contact OB-GYN Associates of Marietta.
