Lesson 9 (Week 11) The Sexual Self: STD and Prevention PDF

1 Course Code and Title: GE 101 – Understanding the Self Lesson Number: Lesson 9 (Week 11) Topic: The Sexual Self: Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Its Prevention INTRODUCTION: This topic presents an extensive discussion on the different kinds of sexually transmitted diseases, and ways on how to p...

1 Course Code and Title: GE 101 – Understanding the Self Lesson Number: Lesson 9 (Week 11) Topic: The Sexual Self: Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Its Prevention INTRODUCTION: This topic presents an extensive discussion on the different kinds of sexually transmitted diseases, and ways on how to prevent it. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of this lesson, you should be able to: ▪ Identify and explain the causes and consequences of sexually transmitted infections; and ▪ Give examples of contraception and understand its importance. LESSON PRESENTATION: SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STDs) Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are contracted primarily through sexual contact (vaginal, oral, or anal sex). Many STDs affect the sex organs themselves while others have broader and more life- threatening effects. Bacterial infections are treatable with antibiotics, but those caused by viruses are more difficult to treat and are often incurable such as HIV/AIDS. However, even curable bacterial infections can cause serious health problems if ignored and left untreated, and some bacterial infections are difficult to detect because some symptoms are not immediately noticeable. STDs commonly include human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, genital herpes, and genital warts. HIV/AIDS infections are caused by direct contact with body fluids such as through blood transfusion, breast feeding, and sexual intercourse. It attacks the immune system and the infected person eventually dies. Gonorrhea is caused by gonococcal bacteria which attack the lining of the mucous membrane such as the mouth, throat, vagina, and urethra. Gonorrhea can be treated by penicillin or other antibiotics.  2 Syphilis infects the genital areas and other parts of the body including the brain and can cause paralysis or even death when left untreated. Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis. In men, chlamydia can cause swollen testicles and a burning sensation during urination. It can result in sterility among women if left untreated because it damages the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Genital herpes can cause itching and tingling sensations, abscesses, and blisters in the genital area. There is no cure for herpes. Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus and women with human papillomavirus are prone to cervical cancer. Though the warts can be removed, they may recur. Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of STDs and should practice safe sex. However, it is important to remember that not having sex can be the safest sex method to avoid all forms of STDs as well as other problems such as early pregnancy. CONTRACEPTION Over the years, sexual activities have become less restricted. Premarital sex is now more accepted. Over the past several decades there has been a gradual trend toward initiating sex at an earlier age (Atkinson, Atkinson, Smith, Bem, & Nolen-Hoeksema, 2009). Alarmed by the rising cases of HIV/AIDS and early pregnancy cases among Filipinos, some government officials are calling for stronger programs of sex education that include information about the different forms of contraception. Contraception refers to methods that are used to prevent pregnancy. Many elements need to be considered by women, men, or couples at any given point in their lifetimes when choosing the most appropriate contraceptive method. These elements include safety, effectiveness, availability (including accessibility and affordability), and acceptability.  3 In choosing a method of contraception, dual protection from the simultaneous risk for HIV and other STDs also should be considered. Although hormonal contraceptives and IUDs are highly effective at preventing pregnancy, they do not protect against STDs, including HIV. Consistent and correct use of the male latex condom reduces the risk for HIV infection and other STDs, including chlamydial infection, gonococcal infection, and trichomoniasis. METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION Intrauterine Method Intrauterine Device — is a small device that is shaped in the form of a “T.” Your doctor places it inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It can stay in your uterus for up to 10 years. Hormonal Methods Implant — It is a single, thin rod that is inserted under the skin of a women’s upper arm. The rod contains a progestin that is released into the body over 3 years. Injection or “shot”— Women get shots of the hormone progestin in the buttocks or arm every three months from their doctor. Combined oral contraceptives — Also called “the pill,” combined oral contraceptives contain the hormones estrogen and progestin. It is prescribed by a doctor. A pill is taken at the same time each day. If you are older than 35 years and smoke, have a history of blood clots or breast cancer, your doctor may advise you not to take the pill.  4 Patch — This skin patch is worn on the lower abdomen, buttocks, or upper body (but not on the breasts). This method is prescribed by a doctor. It releases hormones progestin and estrogen into the bloodstream. You put on a new patch once a week for three weeks. During the fourth week, you do not wear a patch, so you can have a menstrual period. Hormonal vaginal contraceptive ring — The ring releases the hormones progestin and estrogen. You place the ring inside your vagina. You wear the ring for three weeks, take it out for the week you have your period, and then put in a new ring. Barrier Methods Diaphragm or cervical cap — Each of these barrier methods are placed inside the vagina to cover the cervix to block sperm. The diaphragm is shaped like a shallow cup. The cervical cap is a thimble-shaped cup. Before sexual intercourse, you insert them with spermicide to block or kill sperm. Visit your doctor for a proper fitting because diaphragms and cervical caps come in different sizes. Male condom — Worn by the man, a male condom keeps sperm from getting into a woman’s body. Latex condoms, the most common type, help prevent pregnancy, and HIV and other STDs, as do the newer synthetic condoms. “Natural” or “lambskin” condoms also help prevent pregnancy, but may not provide protection against STDs, including HIV. Condoms can only be used once. Female condom — Worn by the woman, the female condom helps keeps sperm from getting into her body. It is packaged with a lubricant and is available at drug stores. It can be inserted up to eight hours before sexual intercourse.  5 Fertility Awareness-Based Methods Fertility awareness-based methods — Understanding your monthly fertility pattern can help you plan to get pregnant or avoid getting pregnant. Your fertility pattern is the number of days in the month when you are fertile (able to get pregnant), days when you are infertile, and days when fertility is unlikely, but possible. If you have a regular menstrual cycle, you have about nine or more fertile days each month. Permanent Methods of Birth Control Female Sterilization—Tubal ligation or “tying tubes” — A woman can have her fallopian tubes tied (or closed) so that sperm and eggs cannot meet for fertilization. The procedure can be done in a hospital or in an outpatient surgical center. You can go home the same day of the surgery and resume your normal activities within a few days. This method is effective immediately. Male Sterilization–Vasectomy — This operation is done to keep a man’s sperm from going to his penis, so his ejaculate never has any sperm in it that can fertilize an egg. The procedure is typically done at an outpatient surgical center. The man can go home the same day. Recovery time is less than one week. After the operation, a man visits his doctor for tests to count his sperm and to make sure the sperm count has dropped to zero; this takes about 12 weeks. 1. SUMMARY: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are contracted primarily through sexual contact (vaginal, oral, or anal sex). It affects the sex organs themselves while others have broader and more life-threatening effects.  6 Bacterial infections are treatable with antibiotics, but those caused by viruses are more difficult to treat and are often incurable. Some examples are HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, genital herpes, and genital warts. Contraception refers to methods that are used to prevent pregnancy. Some of the most common methods are intrauterine device, implant, injection, oral contraceptive, patch, vaginal ring, cervical cap, male and female condom, ligation, and vasectomy. APPLICATION # 9: You may browse your notes and module to aid in answering the following activity. Critical Thinking – Essay (10 points) Instruction: In not more than 8 sentences, write an essay regarding the following question/statement. Briefly elaborate on your answer. ▪ What is your own opinion regarding the Catholic Church’s stand on the use of contraception? It is stated that, the Church forbids sex outside marriage, so its teachings about birth control should be understood in the context of husband and wife. The Roman Catholic Church believes that using contraception is "intrinsically evil" in itself, regardless of the consequences. Catholics are only permitted to use natural methods of birth control. ACTIVITY/EVALUATION # 9: This is a closed module activity. Please observe honesty. Identification (1 point each – 10 points) Instruction: Identify what is asked in each given statement. Time limit: 10 minutes  7 1. Worn by the woman, it helps keeps sperm from getting into her body. It is packaged with a lubricant and is available at drug stores. It can be inserted up to eight hours before sexual intercourse. 2. These are caused by the human papillomavirus and women with human papillomavirus are prone to cervical cancer. 3. This is worn on the lower abdomen, buttocks, or upper body (but not on the breasts). This method is prescribed by a doctor. It releases hormones progestin and estrogen into the bloodstream. 4. This operation is done to keep a man’s sperm from going to his penis, so his ejaculate never has any sperm in it that can fertilize an egg. 5. These are contracted primarily through sexual contact (vaginal, oral, or anal sex). It affects the sex organs themselves while others have broader and more life-threatening effects. 6. It is a single, thin rod that is inserted under the skin of a women’s upper arm. The rod contains a progestin that is released into the body over 3 years. 7. It is caused by gonococcal bacteria which attack the lining of the mucous membrane such as the mouth, throat, vagina, and urethra. 8. It refers to methods that are used to prevent pregnancy. 9. It is a small device that is shaped in the form of a “T.” Your doctor places it inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It can stay in your uterus for up to 10 years. 10. These infections are caused by direct contact with body fluids such as through blood transfusion, breast feeding, and sexual intercourse. It attacks the immune system and the infected person eventually dies. REMINDER: ▪ Do advance reading of modules # 10 and 11 in Understanding the Self entitled The Material Self and The Spiritual Self. ONLINE RESOURCE: ▪ Birth control methods  8 https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm REFERENCE: Go-Monilla, M.J. & Ramirez, N. (2018). Understanding the Self. C & E Publishing, Inc. ▪