STDs Hit Women The Hardest, Scientists Call It "Sexist"

The United States is in the midst of an epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), according to a Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Report. However, experts say women are more vulnerable to catch an STD compared to men. How is it possible?

It is because STDs are "biologically and psycho-socially sexist at all levels," Dr. Hunter Handsfield, Professor emeritus of medicine at the University of Washington Center for AIDS and STDs, told CNN in a news report.

Dr. Edward Hook, co-director of the Center for Social Medicine and Sexually Transmitted Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, agreed that women bear the "largest burden" of STDs.

Easily transmitted, more dangerous

The first reason why this type of infection is sexist is that STDs transfer more easily from the man to woman heterosexual pairings than from woman to man pairings.

Hansfield, who has studied sexually transmitted diseases for 40 years, explained in another statement that the lining of the vagina is "thinner and more delicate" than the penis skin. Hence, it is "easier" for bacteria and viruses to enter and stay put.

The vagina's moist environment, according to Hansfield, is ideal for bacterial growth once the infections are there. Women's health could be more severe and damaging once a disease - such as herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV) - is acquired, the specialist added.

"If you get herpes, [it is] likely to have multiple painful bliststers due to [female genitalia's nature]," Hansfield explained. He added men could also acquire blisters, but only "a few."

It causes cervical cancer, which can be deadly unless caught early, studies say. Cervical cancer is the eighth most common cancer in the world, according to the World Cancer Research Fund.

Hansfield said men could acquire penile cancer from HPV. However, women could obtain cervical cancer from HPV at about "one hundredth the rate."

Hidden in the female experience

The second reason why STIs are sexist is that women have vaguer signs and symptoms when it comes to diagnosis. The diagnosis might be addressed as "just having the typical period cycle."

"Maybe the women had too much time on the 'exercycle,' or too tight underwear, or too much spicy food for dinner if they had a little burning sensation while urinating," Hook said.

"Maybe there's a little discharge [and] a little itch," told Handsfield. "It's [more accessible] for a woman to [assume] it's a yeast infection and self-medicate while the chlamydia is [ascending to] her fallopian tubes."

Harder to diagnose

The STDs "sexist nature" could accompany a woman into the doctor's office, say the experts. A woman's discharge or uncomfortable urination could be due to several reasons - including a urinary tract infection. 

Hansfield explained that specialists often require urine samples or must swab the vagina and forward the specimens to a laboratory for analysis. It may take days to come back and are sometimes inconclusive.

"Even the most advanced expert clinician end up scratching their heads on the cause of 20 percent or 30 percent of women's vaginal discharge," Handsfield said.

As opposed to women, there are only fewer things that could cause a guy to walk into a doctor's office with urethral discharge - according to Hansfield. He added STDs caused most of those cases, and even medical interns could diagnose it accurately and treat it.

What should women do?

• Take away the guilt. 

Hook deemed most people think that the only people who get STIs are those who are "somehow taking risks and doing wrong things." He clarified it's not the case of the situation; hence, he encouraged the women to take away the guilt.

• Know your body. 

Hansfield said it is better to know your genitals. "Learn what's [healthy] for you and be aware of any new [irregularities], and don't be afraid to check them out," he said.

"Any new or unexplained vaginal discharge or change in the [vaginal] discharge - including odor - requires professional evaluation," the specialist underscored.

He added that any lump or swollen gland in the groin, change in menstrual pattern, unexplained genital sore, and low abdominal or pelvic pain are all reasons to visit a doctor.

"Spotting after sex and between periods is a high opportunity of having an [irritated] cervix due to STDs," Handsfield said. He noted that many women experience these kinds of indications.

• Get tested often

Hook underscored that every person owes it to themselves to ensure their reproductive organs are healthy. He added the women should not be hesitant to have themselves checked for these infections.

"Look at it this way: If your tests are positive, the [great] news is that you found the disease, and it can be treated before it causes you problems or gets transmitted to others," he said.