SH - Sexually Transmitted Infections (Lesson)

Sexually Transmitted Infections

In this lesson, we will learn about sexually transmitted infections. STIs are highly communicable infections. Common STIs may be present with symptoms or no symptoms. All have possible long-term effects if not treated.

STIs

To stay healthy, it is important to know the basics of the human reproductive system - its components (anatomy), and what these components do (physiology). 

Most of this body system is internal and therefore easy to neglect - let's take a look at the basics so that we know how to keep our bodies healthy. 

Male Reproductive System • The penis is the male sex organ used to pass urine and to reproduce. • The scrotum is the sac-like pouch that holds the testes. • The testes are two glands that produce testosterone and sperm. Sperm is the male reproductive cells. • The seminal vesicles are two small glands that make a fluid with sugar in it to help sperm move. • The vas deferens is one or two long tubes through which sperm pass from the testes to the urethra. • The prostate gland is the gland that makes fluid that helps sperm stay alive. • The urethra is a narrow tube through which urine and semen pass out of the body. Let's review a few basic processes that occur in reproductive anatomy and physiology: 

  • The penis is the male sex organ used to pass urine and to reproduce.
  • The scrotum is the sac-like pouch that holds the testes.
  • The testes are two glands that produce testosterone and sperm. Sperm is the male reproductive cells.
  • The seminal vesicles are two small glands that make a fluid with sugar in it to help sperm move.
  • The vas deferens is one or two long tubes through which sperm pass from the testes to the urethra.
  • The prostate gland is the gland that makes fluid that helps sperm stay alive.
  • The urethra is a narrow tube through which urine and semen pass out of the body. 

The Female Reproductive System • The female reproductive system is made up of organs in the female body that are used to produce a baby. • An ovary is a gland that produces estrogen and ova. Ova are female reproductive cells. Ova also are called eggs. An ovum is one egg. • A fallopian tube is a four inch long tube through which ova move from an ovary to the uterus. A female has two Fallopian tubes- one near each ovary. • The uterus is an organ that supports a fertilized egg during pregnancy. The uterus is muscular and stretches when a baby is growing inside. • The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. During childbirth, the baby passes through the cervix into the vagina. • The vagina is a tube that connects to the outside of the body. The vagina is very muscular. It stretches when a mother gives birth.

Let's review a few basic processes that occur in reproductive anatomy and physiology:

  • The female reproductive system is made up of organs in the female body that are used to produce a baby.
  • An ovary is a gland that produces estrogen and ova. Ova are female reproductive cells. Ova also are called eggs. An ovum is one egg.
  • A fallopian tube is a four inch long tube through which ova move from an ovary to the uterus. A female has two Fallopian tubes- one near each ovary.
  • The uterus is an organ that supports a fertilized egg during pregnancy. The uterus is muscular and stretches when a baby is growing inside.
  • The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. During childbirth, the baby passes through the cervix into the vagina.
  • The vagina is a tube that connects to the outside of the body. The vagina is very muscular. It stretches when a mother gives birth. 

Did you know that 1 in 3 sexually active teenagers will contract one or more STDs before graduating from high school? That is a huge and scary statistic. Let's learn more about STDs and how to prevent contracting them. 

Before we learn about each STD individually, let's do a quick review of the difference between bacterial communicable pathogens and viral communicable pathogens.  

BACTERIAL COMMUNICABLE PATHOGENS Individuals can be treated with antibiotics (unless the pathogen has become resistant to a particular, antibiotic as you will see is the case with Chlamydia) but the damage that the bacteria has rendered cannot be undone, once treated a person can be re-infected with the same bacteria again! VIRAL COMMUNICABLE PATHOGENS Once a person contracts a virus he/she will ALWAYS have this virus, the virus will go into "active" (when a person feels sick from the virus) and "dormant (the person will show no signs whatsoever that he/she is infected with the virus) stages, treatment options. are aimed at lessening the effects of the virus when it's active (e.g. making the symptoms less severe, decreasing the time of the "active" stage, etc.)

Hopefully after completing this topic area, you will learn that any sexually active person puts themselves at risk for contracting one or more STIs, even if they feel they know this person, feel there's open communication and mutual trust between the two people, etc. If this were true would 1/3 of all teenagers be contracting one or more STIs? 

  • For most STDs, almost all females and many males don't show any symptoms at all.
  • Practice abstinence - it's the only way to be 100% safe from these STDs, including HIV/AIDS, and pregnancy.
  • Talk to your partner about past sex partners and about needle drug use. Don't have sex with anyone who you think may have an STD.
  • Use a latex condom that contains nonoxynol-9.
  • If you have had more than one sex partner, or if you've ever had unprotected sex, get a STD check, even if you don't have any symptoms. 

Know the signs and symptoms of STDs. If you notice a symptom that worries you, get it checked out. 

STDs

Read this article to learn more about Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 

Download and read the article. Links to an external site.

  Sexually Transmitted Infections

Watch the video below to learn more about sexually transmitted diseases.

Male Reproductive System

Complete the following interactive to review the Male Reproductive System

 

Female Reproductive System

Complete the following interactive to review the Female Reproductive System

 

 

 

IMAGES CREATED BY GAVS OR OPENSOURCE