It is estimated that at least 70% of the reproductive population in Canada will contract at least one Human Papillomavirus infection in their lifetime.

~Canadian Federation for Sexual Health, 2007~

Chlamydia

HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

Gonorrhea

Syphilis

Genital Herpes

HIV/AIDS

Oral Sex

Related Links

Marguerite Bourgeoys Family Centre
Naprotechnology & Fertility Care Programme, Canada
www.fertilitycare.ca

The CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCare™ System
www.creightonmodel.com

NaProTECHNOLOGY
A Major Breakthrough In Woman's Gynecological Health Care
www.naprotechnology.com

The Billings Ovulation Method
www.billings-centre.ab.ca

Serena BC
www.vcn.bc.ca/sereabc/index.html

The Medical Institute for Sexual Health
www.medinstitute.org

Institute of Marriage & the Family
www.imfcanada.org

The Vanier Institute of the Family
www.vifamily.ca

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

STIs are caused by:

1.   Bacteria (Chlamydia,
      gonorrhea, syphilis)

2.   Viruses (HIV/AIDS,
      hepatitis, herpes,
      HPV)

3.   Parasites (trichomoniasis)

Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STI.

Genital warts (HPV) is the most common viral STI.

In the last 40 to 50 years sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s or STI’s) have risen at alarming rates. In 1950 there were two common STD’s, Syphilis and Gonorrhea. Today there are hundreds of strains of over 25 different diseases!(33)

The Canadian Federation for Sexual Health reports that between 1997 and 2004, reported rates of STD’s in Canada increased dramatically. For example, there were nearly 63,000 cases of Chlamydia reported in 2004, the highest number since it became reportable in 1990. The rate of Chlamydia infection in Canada has increased over 70% since 1997. (34)

The national rate of gonorrhea doubled between 1997 and 2004. Syphilis, an age-old disease, was thought to have been almost eliminated. But it reappeared in the 1990’s and is now occurring at nearly nine times the rate reported in 1997.(35)

It is estimated that at least 70% of the reproductive population will contract at least one case of Human Papillomavirus (genital warts) in their lifetime. (36)

And all this, keeping in mind that "the number of nationally reported cases represent only a fraction of the actual number of infections, as many instances of reportable STD’s go undetected, particularly those that are asymptomatic [having delayed symptoms]." (37)

"Rates of STI’s among young people (15-24 years) show the most dramatic rise, placing this age group at the highest risk."(38) [This would include both heterosexual and homosexual activity.]

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Chlamydia

"Over two thirds of Chlamydia cases occur among youth, although they represent 14% of the population."(39)

Most cases (40% to 70%) of Chlamydia present no symptoms. People can carry the disease for years without knowing it. There are many serious long-term consequences, including infertility, chronic pelvic pain, pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy. (40)

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HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

HPV is the most common STI in Canada. Most cases of HPV are asymptomatic (they have delayed or no symptoms). HPV is transmitted through skin to skin contact of the genital area and can cause warts, pre-cancerous lesions and certain types of cancer. HPV is the primary cause for almost all cases (90%) of cervical cancer in women. Approximately 1,350 new cases of cervical cancer and 410 deaths occur each year in Canada. More women die of HPV-induced cervical cancer than from AIDS.(41)

Over 80 types of HPV have been identified, but researchers believe that there are likely over 200. (42) The new vaccine protects against four of the ten cancer causing strains.

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Gonorrhea

The second most commonly reported STD in Canada, Gonorrhea is also asymptomatic. Up to 80% of the people infected with the disease do not know that they have it. Symptoms include pelvic pain, burning and puss-like discharge during urination. Gonorrhea causes sterility, pelvic pain, scarring of the urethra and urinary track problems in men. (43)

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Syphilis

The rates of Syphilis in men are 15 times higher in 2004 than they were in 1997.(44) If left untreated, Syphilis can cause mental disorders, heart disease, blindness, dementia and death. More than half of those infected are unaware that they have contracted the disease.

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Genital Herpes

Lesions and painful blisters appear at the site of the infection. Genital herpes is contracted through skin to skin contact even when the infected person has no noticeable symptoms. The disease, because it is viral, cannot be cured and can go undetected for months or even years. Continuous breakouts mean that lifetime medication is required. There is a risk that the disease can be passed on to the child in pregnancy, causing severe brain damage or death.(45)

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HIV/AIDS

AIDS causes serious breakdown of the body’s immune system. There have been 60,731 cases in Canada since its outbreak, and 23,000 people have died. Health Canada believes that 30% of HIV positive Canadians (approx 17,000) are unaware of their condition. A person who is already infected with an STI increases their risk of getting AIDS by two to five times.(46)

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Oral Sex

Oral sex is sex. Except for pregnancy, oral sex carries with it all the dangers of risky sexual behaviour. Diseases that can be contracted through oral sex include Syphilis, Gonorrhea (which can infect your throat), Genital Herpes (causing painful blisters around the mouth and throat), Chlamydia, HPV and HIV. Oral sex can also increase a woman’s risk of having multiple yeast infections.(55)