2.

STI Testing and Prevention

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a risk of sexual activity, but using the right types of contraception and regularly getting tested are the best ways to protect yourself and your partners from getting infected.

However, the Asian-American community faces some problems when it comes to STI testing. Asian-American women have had higher rates of STIs than White women in both 1995 (10.4% vs. 7.7%) and 2001 (13.5% vs. 8.3%). Furthermore, Asian-American women have the lowest proportion of HIV testing (17.2%) out of any ethnic group in the United States, and the CDC estimates that 1 in 5 Asian-Americans are currently living with HIV without knowing their diagnosis.

These statistics reflect a major problem in the Asian-American community. Cultural pressures make it so that getting tested and determining your status are stigmatized in an effort to save face. Many Asian-American women already have a hard time being open about their sexual activity with their parents or guardians, so the conversation about getting tested, and about what to do based on your results, can be even more difficult.

Gathered below are some resources outlining different STI's, their symptoms, how to prevent them, get tested, and how to receive treatment, as well as local clinics that can assist in discreet or even free STI treatment.

Saving face should not come at the cost of your health!

Common STIs

Chlamydia is a very common bacterial STI that can be easily treated with antibiotics.

Gonorrhea is a very common bacterial STI that can be easily treated with antibiotics.

Gonorrhea

Herpes is a viral STD that can cause sores on the mouth and genital area.

Herpes

Hepatitis is a viral STD that causes liver disease, it can be prevented with a vaccine!

Hepatitis B

HIV is a disease that affects your immune systems. Treatment options are available to help you stay healthy.

HPV is a viral STI that can lead to genital warts and some forms of cancer. It can be prevented with a vaccine!

HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

Genital warts are often caused by HPV. While annoying, they are treatable and not very dangerous.

Genital Warts

Crabs are skin parasites that can cause itchiness and irritation. They can be easily treated!

Public Lice/Crabs

Scabies are skin parasites that can cause itching and discomfort. They can be easily treated!

Scabies

Syphilis is a bacterial STI. While easily cured, leaving it untreated can cause serious health complications.

Syphilis

Trich is a very common form of vaginal irritation. It can be easily treated.

Trichomoniasis (Trich)

Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection that can cause discomfort, but can be easily treated.

STI Prevention

While contraceptive options are highly effective at preventing pregnancy, not all of them protect against STIs.

External or internal condoms are the only types of contraception that prevent STIs, since most STIs are spread through contact with skin, genitals, mouth, rectum, or body fluids (including semen, pre-cum, and vaginal discharge). This means you can contract STDs through vaginal, anal, and oral sex! In order to best protect yourself and your partners, it's important to take the right measures to prevent contracting STIs.

There are vaccines you can take to protect yourself from contracting Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Hepatitis B.

HPV is the most commonly transmitted STD. While symptoms usually clear up on their own, some forms of HPV can cause cancer. Almost all cases of cervical cancer in the US are caused by HPV. Thankfully, theres a vaccine that can prevent the contraction of HPV. For those ages 15 and up, you will need three doses of the HPV vaccine, commonly known as Gardasil 9.

Hepatitis B is a viral STD that affects your liver. In the long-term, Hepatitis B can cause serious liver scarring (cirrhosis), lifelong infections, and even liver cancer. The Hepatitis B vaccine protects you from contracting the disease in the first place. Depending on the manufacturer of the vaccine, you will need either 2, 3, or 4 doses.

How to get the vaccine

Learn more about the HPV vaccine

Learn more about the Hep B vaccine