Sex is wonderful but without protecting yourself, it can become a nasty experience.
You need to keep yourself healthy and prevent unwanted pregnancies by using condoms and other forms of birth control such as the pill, injection or patch.
Even with all these measures to protect yourself, as a sexually active girl or woman, you still need to keep an eye on your health and have regular medical check-ups to make sure that everything is in order.
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This includes screening for sexually transmitted infections and a pap smear to guard against cervical cancer.
PAP SMEAR
A pap smear is one of the most important health checks for sexually active women, especially those who have reached the age of 21 and above.
It is used to find abnormalities in the womb including cervical cancer, which is considered a silent killer.
It’s recommended that women go for a pap smear every three to five years.
HIV TEST
Whether you are in a steady relationship or a casual one, it's important to know your HIV status.
It’s advised that you get tested every time you get into asexual relationship, along with your partner. It might seem intimidating, but it is necessary.
As a rule, you will be given counselling before and after testing, even if your results are negative. You must also test for HIV if the condom breaks or slips out during the act.
TEST FOR OTHER SEXUALLYTRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
HIV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in South Africa, but it is not the only one that you need to test for.
Get tested for these as well:
- Gonorrhoea
Health24 says gonorrhoea is among the most common STIs treated at South African clinics. It affects between 38 to 68%of patients.
It's symptoms include a burning sensation when you urinate; a thick and yellowish discharge that smells; and bleeding between periods.
Because women get discharges for various reasons, which are not always a result of sexual infection, it’s advisable to consult a doctor if you have a persistent discharge.
- Chlamydia
This disease is also regarded as silent as it doesn’t always show symptoms.
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But when it does, the symptoms imitate those of gonorrhoea.
- Syphilis
Signs of infection include small and painless sores, hair loss, headaches, fatigue and fever.
- Hepatitis B
This is a group of hepatitis viruses that causes inflammation of the liver.
It’s transmitted through fluids during unprotected sexual intercourse. Pregnant women can also pass it on to their children.
The signs of this sexually transmitted infection are nausea, diarrhoea, jaundice and flu-like illness.
