When you find out you have Sexually Transmitted Diseases, it can be frightening and embarrassing. But, it’s possible to overcome such feelings and live a healthier life.
Furthermore, having STDs does not imply that you must abandon your healthy lifestyle. However, to manage the anxiety and depression that comes with positive results, you need to accept your situation, share, and find the right treatment plan, and care while following your diagnosis.
This article discusses some tips and strategies to help you live a normal life even after the positive results. But first, let’s find out more about STDs.
What Is An STD?
STD is an acronym for Sexually Transmitted Diseases, which are infections primarily spread through unprotected sexual contact. But of course, there is some disease transmitted through oral sex, and STDs are also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
There are several STDs, including:
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Genital warts
- HIV
- Trichomoniasis
Some of these diseases cause life-threatening complications like reproductive health issues like infertility, pregnancy complications like low birth rate, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), cervical cancer, and weight loss in women. Males may also experience infertility, penile discharge, cancer, eye inflammation, and heart complications, among other effects.
Furthermore, it is important to understand that each STD has its own set of signs and symptoms, pain level, and treatment options. The worst case is that some infections like HIV are incurable, and if you have them, you must accept they would be part of your long time life.
But, how can you manage your anxiety when you’re found to have STDs?
Tips To Help You Cope With Stress after Positive STD Results
If you have an STD infection, you will want to resume your normal life. As a result, you must find ways to cope with stress. Some of the best methods are to:
Know the Facts About STDs
There are a lot of myths about sexually transmitted infections. Some suggest that you can easily know about your partners’ STD status by looking at their symptoms or even getting STIs from toilet seats. It’s also wrong to think that if you don’t have sex, you can’t have STDs.
Of course, most people are judgmental, and some will condemn you and makes you feel like a slut or dirty and that you’re not worthy of your life. However, to help manage any shame and discouraging talks from friends and sometimes family, you must ensure you get to know all the facts about STDs.
Know the signs, symptoms, stages, treatments, or management methods. Also, consider your chances of re-infections and practice the safest preventions means. All these will help save you from shame and social stigma.
Here are some facts you should be aware of:
Not all STDs are life-threatening; in fact, some will behave less health impact, especially when there is prompt and proper treatment. That is, you can live a happy life even if you are infected. Also, you can even manage incurable STDs like HIV through adequate care.
Also, keep in mind that some STDs are asymptomatic. This increases your chances of re-infection, especially when you have unprotected sex with STD infected person.
Knowing such facts, among others, will help you avoid succumbing to stigmatization, and you can easily make healthy choices to help boost your chances of living longer even after infection.
Tell Your Partner About Your Status
Understandably, you’ll be worried, embarrassed, and ashamed to tell your partner that you have tested positive for an STD. However, protecting your partner should be a top priority, and this is a discussion you don’t want to miss.
Apart from the fact that you can be sued for infecting your party, the guilt of you infecting your partner can be enough to drain your life. So, set yourself free, and let your partner know of your status. If possible, let them go STD testing and screening for early treatment or management.
Manage Your Stress by Seeking Proper Medical Attention
Individuals frequently associate certain symptoms with STDs, even though the symptoms may or may not be STIs. As a result, if you have a history of an STD or suspect any sexual infection, you should visit your healthcare for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Through testing and screening, doctors will determine the exact condition and any co-infections that might be present in your body. Once your doctor discloses your treatment plan, ensure you follow to help avoid any re-infections or spreading the disease.
Conclusion
To live a stress-free and healthy life after an STD diagnosis, you must seek medical help to regain control of your life and inform your partner about your STD condition to avoid re-infection. Also, relieve your anxiety by learning about the facts on every sexually transmitted infection. Most importantly, avoid speculations and false information from the internet.
