Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infectious diseases that are spread through sexual contact. STDs are among the most common infectious diseases in the world today. There are over 20 types, affecting more than 13 million men and women in the United States each year. Some of the most common STDs include chlamydia infection, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus, the microorganism that causes AIDS), and syphilis.

STDs often occur without symptoms, particularly in women. However, STDs may be accompanied by the following signs and symptoms:

• Itching
• Discharge
• Pustules (pus-containing blisters)
• Genital lesions including ulcers, blisters, rashes, and warts. Ulcers may be painful.
• Abdominal pain
• Rectal infection and inflammation of the rectum
• Fever
• Muscle pain
• Painful urination
• Painful sex
• Bleeding between menstrual cycles
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Swollen lymph glands in the groin

STDs are caused by microbial agents and spread primarily (but not exclusively) through sexual contact. Some STDs can also be passed from a mother to her baby during delivery and through breast-feeding while infected. Others may be passed by sharing infected needles. Some of the most common STDs, and the microorganisms that cause them, include:

• AIDS: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Chlamydia infection: Chlamydia trachomatis
• Genital herpes: herpes simplex virus (HSV)
• Genital warts: human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Gonorrhea: Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• Syphilis: Treponema pallidum

In addition, certain infections classified as STDs may be sexually transmitted but often are not. Candidal (yeast) infections and Gardnerella (an organism that frequently lives in the vagina) are examples that may cause vaginal inflammation.

People with the following conditions or characteristics are at risk for developing STDs:

• Sexually active adults ages 18 - 28.
• Having a sexual partner with an STD. In many cases, an STD may be present without symptoms.
• Having many sexual partners, or a partner who has many sexual partners.
• Having sex without a condom or other protective device.
• Having one STD increases the likelihood of getting another.
• Adolescents are at highest risk for acquiring an STD for the first time.
• Living under stress from poverty, poor nutrition, or poor or absent health care.
• Practicing anal intercourse increases risk for HIV, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
• Having a weakened immune system.
• Using intravenous drugs.
• Using spermicidal foams and jellies does not protect against STDs and may, in some cases, even promote contraction of certain STDs, including HIV.

Your health care provider will do an examination and check for physical signs of disease. Blood tests and other diagnostic procedures, including cultures from the genitalia, can reveal the microbial agent responsible for the STD and allow the health care provider to select the appropriate therapy.

Prevention

There are many ways in which people at risk may reduce the likelihood of contracting or spreading STDs:

• Delay first sexual experience.
• Have a mutually monogamous sexual relationship with an uninfected partner.
• Correctly and consistently use a male or female condom for every act of oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse.
• Use clean needles if injecting intravenous drugs.
• Prevent and control other STDs.
• Have regular checkups for STDs even if you have no symptoms, especially if you are having sex with a new partner or with multiple partners.
• Learn the common symptoms of STDs and seek medical help immediately if you develop any symptoms.
• Take suppressive medications if you have HPV or HSV.
• If you are a girl age11 - 26, get vaccinated for HPV.

Anyone diagnosed with an STD should be treated, avoid sexual activity while being treated, notify all recent sexual partners, complete the course of any medications prescribed, and take a follow-up test.

Drug Therapies

STDs are generally treated with antibiotic and antiviral medicines. Your doctor may recommend suppressive medications if you have HSV or HPV. Such therapies may decrease the frequency and duration of recurrences, as well as the rate of transmission. See also: HIV and AIDS.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

There are some possible applications of CAM therapies in the case of STDs -- as adjunctive treatment (antibacterial and antiviral), as prevention, to improve the immune system, or to reduce certain complications, such as arthritis from gonorrhea.

Some CAM therapies can treat specific STDs, including HIV/AIDs, human papillomavirus, and herpes viral infections. Check with your health care provider about which supplements to use for your condition, and about the interaction of supplements with prescription and non-prescription drugs. It is important to remember that not one of these CAM approaches offers a cure or an isolated treatment option. They should not be used instead of seeing your health care provider. Even during treatment, STDs remain highly contagious -- and you must take the necessary precautions to prevent transmission to sexual partners (see "Prevention" section).

Always tell your health care provider about the herbs and supplements you are using.

Nutrition and Supplements

Following these nutritional tips may help improve general health and well-being:

• Try to eliminate all suspected food allergens, including dairy, wheat (gluten), soy, chocolate, corn, preservatives, and food additives. Your health care provider may want to test you for food allergies.
• Eat more antioxidant-rich foods (such as green, leafy vegetables, and peppers) and fruits (such as blueberries, tomatoes, and cherries).
• Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
• Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy is present), or beans for protein.
• Use healthy cooking oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
• Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in commercially baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
• Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
• Drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
• Exercise moderately, if tolerated, at least 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week.

You may be able to address nutritional deficiencies with the following supplements. In some cases, higher dosing may be necessary, or certain nutrients should be avoided. Consult your health care provider to design the most beneficial program for you:

• A multivitamin daily, containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-vitamins, and trace minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and selenium.
• B-complex vitamins -- for immune support, particularly if you have HPV.
• Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, 1 - 2 capsules or 1 tablespoonful oil 2 - 3 times daily, to help decrease inflammation and improve immunity. Cold-water fish, such as salmon or halibut, are good sources.
• Vitamin C, 500 - 1,000 mg 1 - 3 times daily, as an antioxidant and for immune support.
• Coenzyme Q10, 100 - 200 mg at bedtime, for antioxidant, immune, and muscular support.
• Acetyl-L-carnitine, 500 mg daily, for antioxidant and antiviral activity.
• Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus), 5 - 10 billion CFUs (colony forming units) a day, for maintenance of gastrointestinal and immune health. Refrigerate your probiotic supplements for best results.
• L-glutamine, 500 - 1,000 mg 3 times daily, for support of gastrointestinal health and immunity.
• Resveratrol (from red wine), 50 - 200 mg daily, for antioxidant and antiviral effects.
• L-theanine, 200 mg 1 - 3 times daily, for nervous system support.
• Melatonin, 2 - 5 mg 1 hour before bedtime, for sleep and immune protection.

Herbs

Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your health care provider to diagnose your problem before starting any treatment. You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 - 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 - 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 - 4 cups per day.

• Green tea (Camellia sinensis) standardized extract, 250 - 500 mg daily, for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune effects. Use caffeine-free products. You may also prepare teas from the leaf of this herb.
• Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seed standardized extract, 80 - 160 mg 2 - 3 times daily, for detoxification support and antiviral effects.
• Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) standardized extract, 400 mg daily, for anti-stress and antiviral protection.
• Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), 150 - 300 mg 2 - 3 times daily, for inflammation and immunity. You may also take a tincture of this mushroom extract, 30 - 60 drops 2 - 3 times a day.
• Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) standardized extract, 20 mg 3 times a day, for inflammation and antiviral activity.
• Garlic (Allium sativum), standardized extract, 400 mg 2 - 3 times daily, for antibacterial or antifungal and immune activity.
• Aloe vera to reduce tumor growth and stimulate the immune response to viruses.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses many herb combinations to strengthen and tone the immune system, and as antiviral agents. Check with your health care provider for more information on TCM.

Homeopathy

Homeopaths use various homeopathic remedies to treat STDs. However, no scientific studies have evaluated homeopathy for this purpose. An experienced homeopath would consider each individual case and may recommend treatments to address both the underlying constitution and the specific symptoms of the STD.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture may be used to alleviate symptoms and help enhance your natural ability to fight infection. Acupuncture may be effective in relieving symptoms of STDs, improving immune function, and decreasing the severity of the STD. Check with your health care provider for more information.

Many STDs can be treated effectively when they are diagnosed early. However, many possible complications can result from not treating STDs. Some types of STDs commonly recur. Some can result in permanent damage to the reproductive organs and infertility. Having other STDs increases the risk for becoming infected with HIV. Antibiotic resistance by organisms that cause certain STDs may interfere with the effectiveness of treatment.

Depending on the type of STD you have, your health care provider may want to see you for follow-up visits to be sure the disease has not recurred or to continue your treatment. If you are pregnant, an STD can cause serious complications for your unborn baby. Your health care provider will discuss treatment options with you.

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