STIs and STDs (Sexually Transmitted Infections and Diseases) are a  topic you may not want to discuss, but let’s face it, it’s a serious problem. 

For example, did you know that 1 in 4 college students have had an STD? And the CDC estimates that 1 in 5 people in the U.S. has an STI. To clarify, an infection becomes a disease when symptoms are present.  

With over 66% of new chlamydial infections occurring in youth aged 15-24 years, chlamydia is the most commonly reported bacterial STD among young people.1  Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported bacterial STD in the United States. More than half of these infections occur in individuals 15-24 years of age.2

So, let’s start the conversation.

 What are Chlamydia and Gonorrhea?

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection transmitted through sexual contact. Gonorrhea (also called the “clap” or “drip”) is a bacterial infection that often co-exists with chlamydia (but not always) and is also transmitted through sexual contact. 

These STDs are most commonly spread by having vaginal, oral, or anal sex with someone infected. If your sex partner is male, you can still get chlamydia and gonorrhea even if he doesn’t ejaculate. If you have unprotected sex with somebody infected, you can get that STD again, even if you had a past treatment.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea can have additional consequences if you’re pregnant. Infections can pass through your birth canal to your baby, causing severe issues during childbirth and beyond. 

How Will I Feel if I Have Chlamydia or Gonorrhea?

There’s no simple answer to this question. With chlamydia and gonorrhea, there are often no symptoms, especially for women. Some studies estimate that up to 95 percent of women and approximately 90 percent of men with a confirmed infection will not develop symptoms.  

Why is it such a big deal if most people don’t have symptoms? Well, this is one of the reasons why chlamydia and gonorrhea are among the most prevalent STDs. These diseases spread rapidly because many people don’t know they have it, so they continue to pass it on, not knowing that they have infected others.

You might wonder how anybody can tell that they have either of these STDs. The fact is, some symptoms can still show up with both of these diseases.

Chlamydia symptoms can start 5-6 days after being infected. In the infrequent event that symptoms exist, a woman could possibly experience painful intercourse, abnormal vaginal discharge, or burning urination. A man may have abnormal discharge from his penis and painful, burning urination.  

Gonorrhea in women often goes undetected because they think they have either a mild vaginal or bladder infection. If they have symptoms, they initially include dysuria (meaning it hurts to pee), increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. However, women with gonorrhea risk developing severe complications from the infection, regardless of the presence or severity of symptoms.

 If men have symptoms of gonorrhea, there is a urethral infection with dysuria or a white, yellow, or green urethral discharge that usually appears 1-14 days after infection. Men with gonorrhea may also complain of testicular or scrotal pain.

Occasionally men and women can experience pain, swelling, discharge, and bleeding from the rectum with chlamydia and gonorrhea.

How Do I Know for Sure That I Have Chlamydia or Gonorrhea?

You have to get tested; there are no other options. You might already be anxious about making that appointment with thoughts running through your head: How will I pay? This is so embarrassing; what if somebody finds out? At Collage, we provide confidential testing and treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea at no cost to you.³ 

Being tested for both of these infections is very simple. You’ll meet with a licensed health care professional (LHCP) who will ask you some questions to find out how we can best help you, and then you’ll need to give a urine sample. When we get your results back from the lab (generally 5-7 days) your LHCP will call you with your results and set up a follow-up appointment for treatment if you test positive. 

What Happens if I Don’t Get Treated for Chlamydia or Gonorrhea?

An STD is not something you should ignore. You’re placing your sexual health and future at risk, as well as any current or future partner’s health. If left untreated, the repercussions can be serious. 

With chlamydia and gonorrhea, women are at risk for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), infertility, and potentially an ectopic pregnancy. 

For men, these infections can spread to the tube that carries sperm from the testicles, causing pain and fever. It’s rare but possible that both chlamydia and gonorrhea can prevent a man from being able to have children. In addition, if gonorrhea is left untreated in men, it can spread to the blood and cause Disseminated Gonococcal Infection (DGI). The characteristics of DGI are arthritis, tenosynovitis, and/or dermatitis. This condition can be life-threatening.

Can Chlamydia and Gonorrhea be Treated if I Test Positive?

Thankfully, there is a treatment for both diseases. However, it is crucial that if you do test positive for these STDs, you get medication. 

For these treatments to be successful, you need to follow these directions:

• Take all the medication prescribed.
• Don’t have any sexual contact during treatment. 
• Don’t have any sexual contact for 7-10 days after completing treatment.

These standards apply to your partner(s) also. You should retest at 3 months if possible but no later than 1 year after being treated. 

How Can I Make Sure Not to Get Chlamydia or Gonorrhea?

Most people have heard that wearing a condom during sex will protect you from getting an STD, but condoms aren’t perfect. There’s only one fool-proof way to avoid contracting any STDs. That’s to refrain from having any form of sex until you are in a mutually exclusive relationship with an uninfected partner.  

Some people think STDs aren’t a big deal, especially since bacterial STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea can be treated. We believe otherwise. STDs can cause strains in your relationship, both physically and emotionally. There can also be harsh health consequences if an STD is left untreated. 

We’re here to help you if you think you’ve contracted chlamydia or gonorrhea. Feel free to reach out to Collage to continue the conversation.

The post Five Things Every Student Needs to Know About Chlamydia & Gonorrhea appeared first on Collage Center.

You see the positive pregnancy test, and your emotions are all over the place…panic, tears, anger, fear. You start asking yourself, ‘What am I going to do?

We realize that experiencing an unexpected pregnancy can be overwhelming. It’s natural to look up different options about what you can do. Before you make any decisions, we want to remind you that you’re not alone. We’re here to listen and provide answers to any questions about the situation that you’re in. Our intent is not to tell you what to do but to give you the information you may be looking for before you decide what to do about your unexpected pregnancy.

What is the Abortion Pill?

To clarify, the term ‘abortion pill’ is slightly misleading as it requires taking two medications (in the form of pills) prescribed by a doctor. The first medication, mifepristone, is taken by mouth, and the second medication, misoprostol, is taken by mouth or vaginally. This is only an option for women who are less than 11 weeks pregnant by LMP.1

How does the Abortion Pill Work?

It’s not like taking something for a headache. You don’t just pop a pill and, within 30 minutes, aren’t pregnant.

The first medication causes your body to block progesterone, which is necessary for the continuation of pregnancy. When this happens, the embryo cannot stay attached. The second medication causes your uterus to contract and expel the embryo.

 This will cause your body will go through the following:

• Bleeding and cramping will start 1-4 hours after taking the second medication.
• Heavy bleeding with blood clots.
• Heavy cramping for several hours.
• A low fever or chills can last about a day after taking the second pill.
• Possibility of feeling tired, nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea.2

 Is the Abortion Pill Safe?

The reality is any medical or surgical procedure always has potential risks. Some risks of taking the abortion pill can include:

• Heavy bleeding that will not stop.
• Diarrhea and digestive pain.
• Pregnancy tissue that doesn’t pass entirely from the body, making surgery necessary.
• Infection.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Allergic reaction to the medications.3

 How Will I Feel Afterwards?

Every woman handles emotions and changes in their life differently. Any pregnancy loss (intentional or unintentional) will interrupt the hormone cycle, which can cause long-term emotional, relational, and/or medical health effects.

After a loss, some women experience emotions ranging from guilt to regret to shame. This can sometimes lead to clinical depression, affecting your energy, sleep, feelings, and a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities. Suicidal thoughts or self-harm can also affect somebody dealing with depression.

What Should My Next Step Be?

Your first step should be to confirm that you really are pregnant. We can help you by providing a free lab-quality pregnancy test and ultrasound to ensure that you have a viable pregnancy. A viable pregnancy means an embryo is implanted in your uterus and has a heartbeat. An ultrasound will also reveal how far along you are, affecting your options.

Unexpected pregnancies can reveal a lot of uncertainties in your life. You may feel pressure to decide quickly. Still, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to make that decision today. Take a deep breath and do some more research to help you choose what’s best for you.

We’re here to help you walk and talk through your decisions. We’re dedicated to providing medical information and resources throughout your journey.

If you’ve already had an abortion and find yourself struggling in any way, we have staff who know what you’re going through. We’re here to listen and help give you direction towards healing.

Feel free to call us today and schedule a visit at no cost to you.

The post The Abortion Pill – What are the Medical Facts? appeared first on Collage Center.

You might’ve just met somebody that you’re interested in. Maybe you’ve had a few dates or hung out occasionally. Regardless of where you’re at in this relationship, you might wonder if they’re right or wrong for you. Should you continue pursuing the relationship or pump the brakes?

We believe in encouraging and supporting healthy relationships. However, sometimes it takes a pros and cons list to reveal possible concerning characteristics. 

Here are a few signs to be on the lookout for when deciding if you’re in a relationship with a Miss. or Mr. Wrong:

1. Lack of listening skills.

Have you ever told a story and realized that nobody has been listening? That’s frustrating and can cause a lot of self-doubts. Maybe you find your significant other zoning out, checking social media, or texting friends while you’re trying to speak. These traits are acceptable in small amounts, but if it’s constantly happening…well, they’re not worth it! This is a sign that you might be in the wrong relationship.

2. Exclusivity concerns.

Notice wandering eyes when an attractive person walks by? It’s not wrong to notice somebody, but it can be concerning if it turns into lingering glances. Most of us want a boyfriend or girlfriend that will appreciate us from both the inside and out. It’s a red flag if you’re being treated as an object or if it seems like outer beauty is their only interest.

3. Creating isolation.

You might enjoy hanging out with multiple friends or family during your free time. It’s healthy to have those diverse relationships. Unfortunately, some individuals may get jealous of you spending time with other people. They might try to keep you from seeing your regular friends or family. When this happens, you can feel isolated and out of touch with your other relationships. If this person is the right one for you, they’ll want you to hang out with others, with or without them tagging along. You need to consider ending the relationship if you see evidence of controlling behavior.

4. Trust issues.

Sometimes boyfriends and girlfriends have trust issues because of previous relationships. Looking through your phone or constantly checking up on you are warning signs of a lack of trust. It may have started off cute and playful, but this can quickly evolve into possessive behavior. When somebody starts dominating, their behaviors can quickly escalate from just checking up on you to invading your privacy. If your new significant other is not secure enough to trust you, it’s time to move on.

5. Moody, grumpy, and rude.

We all have those days when we’re just not fun to be around. That’s called being human. If you start noticing that you’re dating an Eeyore who seems never to be happy, that can be exhausting. Although it feels great to have somebody tell you that you ‘made their day,’ it’s not healthy to be in a relationship where they tell you that ‘you’re the only good thing in their life.’ You want a person who can stand on their own, who sees your presence in their life as an addition, not a lifeline. If you’re the sole means of happiness for this individual, value yourself enough to part ways. 

6. Unwanted pressure.

There will probably come a time in new or established relationships where the physical relationship boundaries conversation comes up. Everybody has different limits that they’d prefer within a romantic relationship. Suppose your partner starts pressuring you to cross those personal lines. In that case, that’s a significant clue that they don’t respect your decisions. If they’re the right person for you, they’ll be patient and not try to force you into something you’re not ready for. Somebody who only looks out for themselves is a red flag for a trusting relationship.

All relationships are tricky. Whether looking at a potential relationship or already dating, it’s wise to evaluate whether it’s healthy or unhealthy. You deserve to be in a beneficial, uplifting relationship where you can feel free to be who you are. So stay strong and take time to notice the wrong.

The post Six Signs You’ve Found the Wrong One appeared first on Collage Center.