Feature:
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It’s tempting to believe that people between the ages
of 18 and 25 have no worries regarding their health.
However, there are still many issues that may have an
impact on a young life. In this week’s article we look
at the symptoms and recommendations for health issues
in the areas of Sexual Health, Mental Health, Smoking,
Drinking and Drugs. |
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Safe sex is necessary for preventing unwanted pregnancy. However,
safe sex is also a necessity for preventing sexually transmitted
infections (STIs). Condoms are still the most effective way of preventing
Australia’s most common STIs. These are:
- Genital Herpes
- Genital Warts
- Chlamydia
- Trichomoniasis
- Gonorrhoea
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Syphilis, and
- HIV
All of these can be transmitted through vaginal, oral and anal sex.
The symptoms of each STI vary and it is extremely important to
consult a doctor if you think anything may be wrong. Symptoms to
watch out for include:
- Unexplained genital blisters, lumps or sores;
- Itching around the vagina or the head of the penis;
- Excessive or abnormal vaginal bleeding (in addition to normal
periods);
- Pain when urinating or having sex;
- Jaundice, a yellow colour appearing in the whites of the eye
or in skin tone. This could be a sign of one of the strains of
Hepatitis (Hepatitis A through to Hepatitis D in Australia), all
of which affect the functioning of the liver.
Another result of unprotected sex can be unwanted pregnancy. Emergency
contraception is available to prevent pregnancy after sex, although
it will have no effect on STIs.
- Emergency contraception or the “morning after” pill is available
from doctors and family planning clinics.
- It contains doses of progesterone and oestrogen, which prevent
ovulation or implantation of a fertilised egg.
- To work effectively, the pill must be taken within 72 hours
of unprotected sex. The sooner it is taken, the more likely it
is to be effective.
- Side effects include nausea and vomiting. It may also disrupt
the next menstrual cycle.
General sexual health in this age group is also important, particularly
if you are sexually active. This includes:
- Regular annual pap smears and breast checks for women;
- Regular annual testes check for men;
- Both men and women should also have a general physical each
year to maintain the best health.
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