“Postmenopausal women are especially vulnerable to STIs
because having fragile vulvar tissues
can allow these viruses to enter the body more easily”.¹

Umbrella

What may the Sexually Transmitted Infections Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

Terminology

Are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) also called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?

In Sexually Transmitted Infections the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov explain:

“Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are also called sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs”.²

Sexually Transmitted Infections

What are sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

DotS the definition of STIs may vary. The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s (JH) definition is:

“An STI is an infection spread from one person to another during sex. STIs can be spread through semen, vaginal fluids, anal fluids, blood, skin-to-skin contact and, in some cases, saliva”.³

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

What are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?

DotS the definition of STDs may vary. The (United States) MedlinePlus’ definition is:

“Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. They are usually spread during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. But sometimes they can spread through other sexual contact involving the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. This is because some STIs, like herpes and HPV, are spread by skin-to-skin contact”.⁴

How Many

How many STIs are there?

In Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Overview the World Health Organization (WHO) elaborate on:

“More than 30 different bacteria, viruses and parasites are known to be transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. Some STIs can also be transmitted from mother-to-child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. Eight pathogens are linked to the greatest incidence of STIs. Of these, 4 are currently curable: syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. The other 4 are viral infections: hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus (HSV), HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV)”.⁵

Cause

What can cause STIs?

In Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): Symptoms & Causes – Causes the (United States) Mayo Clinic note:

Human Papillomavirus Virus

What is the human papillomavirus (HPV)?

In Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): About Genital HPV Infection – Overview: What Is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)? the (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explain:

“HPV is the most common STI. There are many different types of HPV. While most do not cause any health problems, some types can cause genital warts and cancers. Vaccines can stop these health problems from happening. HPV is a different virus than HIV and HSV (herpes)”.⁷

In Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Key Facts, dated 21 May 2024, the WHO note:

• “Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with over 311 000 cervical cancer deaths each year”.⁸

Common or Not

How common are STIs?

In Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Key Facts, dated 21 May 2024, the WHO note:

Risk

Who can catch an STI?

In Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): How To Have Safer Sex the JH explain:

Oral Sex

Does oral sex reduce the risk of getting an STI?

According to the JH:

“Note that oral sex doesn’t reduce the risk of getting an STI. Common STIs such as herpes, gonorrhoea and chlamydia can all be transmitted through unprotected oral sex”.¹¹

Menopause

Once women have reached menopause can they still contract a STI?

In Sexual Health: Practice Safe Sex the Menopause Society (formerly the North American Menopause Society) note:

“Sexuality doesn’t—and shouldn’t—end with menopause. Still, even with advancing age, safe sex is critical. After menopause and without the risk of pregnancy, it’s easy to let protected sex slide. But anyone who is not in a long-term, monogamous relationship and has unprotected sex is at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You need to be aware of the many infections you can get and take the necessary precautions. Postmenopausal women are especially vulnerable to STIs because having fragile vulvar tissues can allow these viruses to enter the body more easily”.¹²

Safer Sex

What is safer sex?

DotS the definition of safer sex may vary. In Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Safer Sex the JH’s definition includes:

Female Condom

What is a female condom?

DotS the definition of a female condom may vary. In Contraception: Coitally-Dependent Barrier Methods — (c) Female Condom the Australasian Menopause Society explain:

“The female condom is a polyurethane sheath inserted into the vagina prior to intercourse. It is less commonly used than other forms of contraception. They are more expensive than male condoms and have a slightly higher failure rate. They can be purchased online at family planning clinics and also at some pharmacies”.¹⁴

In Internal Female Condoms the (United Kingdom) NHS also explain what female condoms are.

Testing

Where may STIs testing be available?

DotC (Depending on the Country) STIs testing may be available from your health care provider or your country’s equivalent of a:

Pap Test

Does a Pap test screen for STIs?

In Sexually Transmitted Infections: Does A Pap Test Screen for STIs? Womenshealth.gov explain:

HIV

Is there an association between the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and STIs?

In HIV: How HIV Spreads – Risk Factors: Other Sexually Transmitted Infections the CDC note:

“If you have another sexually transmitted infection (STI), you may be more likely to get or transmit HIV. Getting tested and treated for STIs can lower your chances of getting or transmitting HIV and other STIs. If you’re sexually active, you and your partner(s) should get tested for STIs, even if you don’t have symptoms”.¹⁶

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with safer sex and/or female condoms?

If you would like help with safer sex and/or female condoms it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): What To Do If You Have An STI the JH also explains:

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Sexually Transmitted Infections?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Sexually Transmitted Infections?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at: