People nowadays are very liberated and it is no secret that pre marital sex has become rampant. Sex is no longer an issue to those who were raised in a very open minded society.

People have different views when it comes to sex. Some see it as an act of love while others see it as a form of leisure. Those who engage in it because it's fun tend to have more than one sexual partner. Promiscuous people are those who jump from one partner to another. These people engage in sex with women or men they barely even know. Such recklessness can cause them to contract one or two types of STDs.

STDs or sexually transmitted diseases are groups of various diseases that are most likely to be transferred from one person to another through sexual intercourse. These diseases can cause discomfort during contact and though some of these are symptomatic, there are those that are not. Contracting a STD can be devastating, causing some to shun away from society. So to provide a brief overview, some common STDs are briefly discussed below.

1. Gonorrhea

This disease is commonly known as “The Clap.” This type of STD can affect both men and women. One of the first signs of gonorrhea in men are white to yellowish thick penile discharges which are often accompanied by painful urination or dysuria. Other than that, the prostate can also be inflamed as well as there may be discharges from the anus. Women with gonorrhea often notice a strong smelling, yellowish to green thick vaginal discharge along with a burning sensation during micturation. They also experience pelvic tenderness. The causative agent for this disease is the Neisseria gonorrhae which can be found in semen and vaginal fluids.

2. Syphilis

This type of disease manifests itself through painless sores or ulcers on the vagina or vaginal area like the perineum, the anus and the penile shaft. Three weeks to three months after these ulcers appear the person may experience symptoms similar to that of flu. If left untreated, syphilis can be life threatening. The latent phase of this disease is marked by the absence of any symptoms; however, this phase is the most dangerous. Syphilis is caused by a spirochete known as Triponema pallidum.

3. Trichomoniasis

This type of STD is common and at the same time curable. This disease afflicts both men and women but is more prevalent in women. Like many other STDs, it is contracted through sexual contact with an infected partner. Men usually get infected by having sex with an infected woman only. Women with this disease experience vaginal itching and irritation, foamy, yellow to green vaginal discharge that comes along with a strong smell and of course dysuria. Men on the other hand experience painful urination as well as penile discharges. Trichomoniasis can cause discomfort during intercourse. The bacterium responsible for this disease is the protozoan Trichomnas vaginalis.

4. Genital Warts

This type of STD may not be as alarming as the rest but the virus causing this can be deadly. STDs caused by viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics but can only be prevented through vaccinations. Genital Warts are caused by one of the many strains of the Human Papilloma Virus or HPV. These warts can be found close to the genital area like the perineum or the vaginal orifice in women. As for the males, these can be found mostly on the penile shaft. Warts look like cauliflowers grouped together in a particular area. Initially, these warts appear as fleshy painless bumps.

Some of these diseases can be treated while some can only be prevented. Having multiple sex partners increases the risk for one to contract any particular type of STD. Having safe sex can also serve as a protection but not totally. The best way of keeping yourself from getting these diseases is by not having sex or by having only one sexual partner. If you have questions, it is best if you talk to your doctor.