Health : April, STD Awareness Month

Did you know that April is national STD Awareness Month? There are lots of ways to celebrate – with condoms, lube, and an STD check of course! But before you break out the confetti and noise makers, you should know the facts about STDs among the gay, bisexual, and same-gender loving male community. Across the United States, there have been increases in syphilis and gonorrhea among men, especially men who have sex with men.

But don’t worry – there is good news! Many STDs are easily cured, often with a single dose of medication.

For most people, STDs have no noticeable symptoms. So if you are sexually active get checked every 3-6 months for STDs; don’t wait until you think something is wrong. Treatment for STDs is readily available and can prevent irreversible damage such as blindness, deafness, difficulty walking, and infertility. Getting screened (and treated if you need) is key to staying healthy. 

STDs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis increase your risk for getting HIV. Across two studies, NYC Health Department staff found that one in 20 men who have sex with men who were diagnosed with syphilis and one in 15 men who have sex with men who were diagnosed with anal chlamydia and/or gonorrhea were diagnosed with HIV within one year. One reason for this is that these infections tend to exist within the same sexual and social networks. If you do get an STD, make sure you get it treated, and have a discussion with your doctor about HIV prevention. It’s always a good idea to let your partners know they should seek treatment too.

So what can you do to #PlaySure? Get tested for HIV frequently, every 3-6 months, if you are sexually active. The only HIV test you should be afraid of is the one you haven’t had. It pays to #BeHIVSure! If you are HIV-negative, consider taking advantage of the latest in HIV prevention: pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a once daily medication that is highly effective at preventing HIV. PrEP, condom use, and regular screenings for HIV and other STDs are vital components of any HIV prevention regimen. An added advantage of PrEP is that you’ll have increased contact with your provider – which means more opportunities to get checked early and easily for STDs!

If you are living with HIV or AIDS and you’re sexually active, be sure to stick with your antiviral regimen because viral suppression (also referred to as having an “undetectable viral load” or being “undetectable”) keeps your immune system working optimally and prevents transmission of HIV. Taking HIV medications and using condoms as often as possible will help you and your partner #PlaySure. Having another STD can make HIV worse for you and increases the risk of passing HIV to your partner. You want to stay as healthy as possible, so get yourself screened for other STDs and treated when needed. Ask your provider how often you should be tested for other STDs.

Remember: STD prevention is HIV prevention, and HIV prevention is STD prevention. Be your own best advocate and talk to your provider candidly about your sex life so they will know how to help you stay healthy. If your sexual practices include anal or oral sex, you should be screened for STDs at those sites of exposure. A urine or penile test alone may not be enough. Go to gettested.cdc.gov to find free, fast, and confidential testing near you.

Susan Blank, Demetre Daskalakis,
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Bureau of STD Control & Prevention