You Know What’s Depressing? Finding Out You Have an STD

When you think about “sexual health,” you may think “STDs”—as in, herpes, HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and a host of other infections I won’t go into. One thing that probably doesn’t pop into your head is how having a sexually transmitted disease can affect someone mentally and emotionally. But for many, the impact beyond the physical effects of an infection—and of course sometimes there is no clear evidence that one’s infected at all—can be huge. However, since we rarely talk about the taboo subject of STDs, we often don’t talk about the mental impact of having one, either.

The two-way street of STDs and mental health is a classic chicken-and-egg situation: Are people with mental health issues like depression, ADHD, or schizophrenia more likely to contract an STD? Or is it that being diagnosed causes or worsens mental health issues that weren’t much of a problem before the infection? 

At the organization I run, The STD Project, we’ve found evidence of both being true: First, finding out that you have an STD does seem to bring on or exacerbate underlying mental health issues, including severe stress and depression, in some people. “It’s really tough to explain to someone who has never had an STD why the virus can be so mentally taxing,” a 32-year-old government employee living with molluscum contagiosum (MC) told me.

In fact, the consequences of a diagnosis are, generally, much harder to handle emotionally than physically. For many, they’re devastating. “Honestly, I have found it to be the most difficult part of the process,” he added. “I retreated to the confines of my bedroom; I didn’t come out for two weeks. When I finally got in [to the doctor], I told the doctor what was going on, we discussed and agreed that I was likely suffering from significant depression from all of [it]. I was prescribed an antidepressant.”

This man’s turmoil isn’t unique. In fact, for the thousands of diverse readers who come to The STD Project website every week—sharing an incredible variety of stories—their emotional struggle is nearly identical: A 35-year-old librarian with genital herpes recently wrote, “I don’t know how to put it into words, except maybe to say that the current fabric of my existence seems to be made almost entirely of [my diagnosis]. I cannot un-believe that I am more than my herpes at this point. It has changed the way I look at and think of just about everything. I entered the deepest depression I have ever experienced in the 6 months following my diagnosis.” 

"I entered the deepest depression I have ever experienced in the 6 months following my diagnosis," said one woman with herpes.

In some cases, struggling with a mental disorder can increase the risk of contracting an STD. A 2006 study in the journal Pediatrics looked at sexually active kids and teens in middle and high school and found that those who had symptoms of depression were more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors like sex without a condom, substance abuse, and multiple sexual partners, significantly increasing their risk of contracting an STD.

The research suggested that those same students were less likely to have family support, and were more likely be socially isolated and to seek, or be pressured into, sexual activities as a substitute for meaningful intimate relationships. Finally, the researchers found that the students dealing with depression were also likely to have less self-confidence, which hurt their ability to negotiate safer-sex practices and to resist peer pressure, alcohol, and other drugs.

But that’s not the whole story. The journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases reported on a study done in a Boston health clinic that found that although lesbian patients were more likely to suffer from mental health issues prior to seeking care, they were significantly less likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors. However, those who were diagnosed with an STD were more likely to experience severe emotional trauma and require additional mental health care. In contrast, research reported in 2009 in JAMA Pediatrics found that depression was directly related to an increased risk of STDs—but only among African-American men.

The truth is, the current data presents a varied picture, so I believe it’s important to simply remember that mental health problems intersect with sexual behavior and our overall health in complex ways. If we’re going to end the American epidemic of STDs, we definitely need more research to understand the link between mental health issues and increased risk of STDs, as well as the psychological impact of a diagnosis. Our experience at The STD Project has shown that those who are diagnosed experience intense trauma, emotional distress, and often seek mental health care. “For the first time ever, I felt absolutely no hope,” the librarian told me. “I believed—and still have to fight believing—that the people around me would be better off if I was out of their lives. My life went from ‘normal’ to a nightmare in my head.” “One of the hardest parts is suffering in silence,” said the young man with MC. “You have no idea how much of an impact it is on your life until you get [MC] and support is needed."

If we took these experiences into consideration when designing targeted sexual education, and consider those who are already suffering from mental illness and the extra help they may need, I believe we could reduce transmission rates—a crucial step in lowering the astronomic rates of STDs in the U.S. If nothing else, it’s safe to say that addressing the mental health-STD link could help millions from from having to feel so isolated.

If you’ve been diagnosed with an STD, or know someone who has, how did you, or they, feel about the diagnosis?

Related Stories on TakePart:

• In Our Hook-Up Culture, Why Can’t We Talk About STDs?

• STD Rates Are Rising—Should You Be Worried?

• How Abstinence-Only Sex Ed Is Driving Up STD Rates

Jenelle Marie is the founder of The STD Project, an award-winning website and progressive movement aimed at eradicating the stigma associated with contracting an STD and living with an STD by facilitating and encouraging awareness, education, and acceptance through storytelling and resource recommendations. You can also find The STD Project on Facebook and Twitter. Look for her e-Book, “The Relationship Survival Guide to Living with an STD” available in 2013. TakePart.com

View the original article here

Finding Love Even When You're Stricken With an STD

A sexually transmitted disease or STD can break your life in a single snap. Going on knowing that you're stricken with an STD is really difficult especially when the people around you know about it. Aside from the humiliation and public dismay, you yourself will face tremendous self esteem issues that will wreak you to the bone. It is something you'd have to deal with for a long time until you can finally accept who you are and what you have become.

Having an STD is not the end of the world. There are other people who have fallen victims to this ailment, you are not alone and yes, there is hope in finding love even when you have an STD. The answer to this woe is true love found online. Why online? Because finding love through the usual means of finding dates is impossible since most people have frowned upon STD singles.

Honesty and trust has always been the foundation of a strong and long lasting relationship and you can find this through online dating websites geared towards singles with sexually transmitted diseases. By being upfront and honest with your ailment from the moment you join, you can expect other single members like you to respond positively with respect to your honesty.

Don't worry. Joining this kind of online communities doesn't expose you to outside threats and scrutiny because your identity is concealed with the sites' security measures to protect their members. All the things and information you share with the other members is completely up to you. You can choose to reveal your personal information and identity to the single members who you have been in contact with for quite some time.

Accepting what you are capable and not capable of doing is the beginning point of recovery to oneself. Any self consciousness and self esteem issues will begin to fade once you are around people who can fully and truly understand your situation. Aside from communicating with your possible matches, you can also join some discussions done in the forums of the website which totally creates an at-home feeling of acceptance from other members.

You can share what your experiences are like living with the STD you have been stricken with. This sharing of opinion between singles allow the community and each member to enrich their knowledge on how to deal and combat with the ailment. Aside from finding love, think about these communities as your outlet to be your self and as a sharing group you can interact with.

You can learn more about other members who are into Herpes dating and if you yourself have this kind of ailment, finding a date and a possible lifetime mate is no longer an impossible feat for you. Believe it or not, there are a lot of people who are stricken with STD who are living a wonderful life as of this moment because they have found their true soul mate and love.

Perhaps it's about time that you find your very own life partner who can truly understand and know what you feel. An HIV dating service may help you find a suitable match online. Not only will you fulfill your lifelong dream of being with someone who can accept you for who you are but you will also find a mate who you can play with for life.

As you can see STD is not the end of life. It's only the beginning of a different life ahead of you, a life that is filled with wonders and mystery. With all these in hand, you can also help other STD singles who are suffering with self acceptance issues. Giving them a lending hand is one way you can help them survive and battle with their ailments.

Genital Herpes In Women And Finding A Cure For It

It is now common knowledge that genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease and the culprit is the Herpes Simplex Virus type 2. The major cause of propagation of this virus is intimate sexual contact. Sex being an instinctive behavior of every adult, it becomes very difficult to find a way to prevent this virus from propagating and save the unsuspecting victims from a possible infection. Perhaps, that is the reason, why so many people in America today fall victim to this virus and the increasing number of genital herpes in women.

On an average, one out of every eight men has genital herpes, whereas, in case of women, it is one out of every four. According to the Centers for Disease Control, genital herpes caused by the HSV-II virus is more prevalent in women because they catch it easily than their spouses. The female genital organ is one which is internally folded into a receiving tube. To keep it in good order it is internally lined with mucosal cells and it is the nature of these cells to always secrete mucous into the folds. Mucous being rich in water and other organic substances is a fertile medium for micro organisms to thrive and breed. This is one of the major reasons why women are so prone to genital herpes infections and is the first disadvantage for women.

The second disadvantage of being woman is that they have frequent outbreaks and the symptoms are very pronounced. During this time, genital herpes in women is contagious, because there is an asymptomatic shedding of the HSV-2 virus in the vaginal mucosal cells. The virus is then invigorated and highly motile, so, it can easily be transmitted to an uninfected spouse. Genital herpes in women also is quite obstinate to medication than a case in men.

The greatest disadvantage of being women here is their emotional vulnerability. This virus is very effective in prowling upon its victims during their emotional lows. So, it is imperative that women understand the importance of remaining happy and confident to counter this malady.

As on date, there is no permanent cure to genital herpes. To treat it in women, one should take the route of alternate therapies as the antiviral route is not effective and very unsafe. To be able to take a prudent decision as far as a remedy is concerned, one must keep abreast of the latest developments in this field.

Genital herpes in women to-day is a great concern and needs a careful and modular approach in its treatment, in the absence of a safe and permanent cure. It should be remembered that nothing is impossible, if approached in a correct frame of mind. So, every woman must ensure that they should take enough care while practicing sex or choosing a spouse. It is better to prevent an incurable disease than to resort to unwanted medication. When available, one should take the help of alternate therapies like herbal medicine or homeopathy. With a strong desire to get free from this disease most of the women can succeed in getting rid of this unwanted suffering.

Himanshu Sekhar Satapathy belongs to an Ayurvedic gharana in Orissa, India. He learned the intricacies of Ayurvedic medicine from both his maternal and paternal grand parents. During his service tenure of 20 years in Electrical branch of Indian Air Force, he learned Homeopathy, Pranic Healing and EFT. He is a trainer for the basic level of Pranic Healing. He has treated many people by classical Homeopathy and Pranic Healing. Presently he stays at Bangalore and Bhubaneswar; treats people, blogs and writes.

If you are worried or have more questions, please visit:
http://genitalherpescures.blogspot.com

Genital Herpes In Women And Finding A Cure For It

It is now common knowledge that genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease and the culprit is the Herpes Simplex Virus type 2. The major cause of propagation of this virus is intimate sexual contact. Sex being an instinctive behavior of every adult, it becomes very difficult to find a way to prevent this virus from propagating and save the unsuspecting victims from a possible infection. Perhaps, that is the reason, why so many people in America today fall victim to this virus and the increasing number of genital herpes in women.

On an average, one out of every eight men has genital herpes, whereas, in case of women, it is one out of every four. According to the Centers for Disease Control, genital herpes caused by the HSV-II virus is more prevalent in women because they catch it easily than their spouses. The female genital organ is one which is internally folded into a receiving tube. To keep it in good order it is internally lined with mucosal cells and it is the nature of these cells to always secrete mucous into the folds. Mucous being rich in water and other organic substances is a fertile medium for micro organisms to thrive and breed. This is one of the major reasons why women are so prone to genital herpes infections and is the first disadvantage for women.

The second disadvantage of being woman is that they have frequent outbreaks and the symptoms are very pronounced. During this time, genital herpes in women is contagious, because there is an asymptomatic shedding of the HSV-2 virus in the vaginal mucosal cells. The virus is then invigorated and highly motile, so, it can easily be transmitted to an uninfected spouse. Genital herpes in women also is quite obstinate to medication than a case in men.

The greatest disadvantage of being women here is their emotional vulnerability. This virus is very effective in prowling upon its victims during their emotional lows. So, it is imperative that women understand the importance of remaining happy and confident to counter this malady.

As on date, there is no permanent cure to genital herpes. To treat it in women, one should take the route of alternate therapies as the antiviral route is not effective and very unsafe. To be able to take a prudent decision as far as a remedy is concerned, one must keep abreast of the latest developments in this field.

Genital herpes in women to-day is a great concern and needs a careful and modular approach in its treatment, in the absence of a safe and permanent cure. It should be remembered that nothing is impossible, if approached in a correct frame of mind. So, every woman must ensure that they should take enough care while practicing sex or choosing a spouse. It is better to prevent an incurable disease than to resort to unwanted medication. When available, one should take the help of alternate therapies like herbal medicine or homeopathy. With a strong desire to get free from this disease most of the women can succeed in getting rid of this unwanted suffering.

Himanshu Sekhar Satapathy belongs to an Ayurvedic gharana in Orissa, India. He learned the intricacies of Ayurvedic medicine from both his maternal and paternal grand parents. During his service tenure of 20 years in Electrical branch of Indian Air Force, he learned Homeopathy, Pranic Healing and EFT. He is a trainer for the basic level of Pranic Healing. He has treated many people by classical Homeopathy and Pranic Healing. Presently he stays at Bangalore and Bhubaneswar; treats people, blogs and writes.

If you are worried or have more questions, please visit:
http://genitalherpescures.blogspot.com