Healthy Habits You Should Establish in Your 20s
Human papillomavirus virus (HPV), a sexually-transmitted infection, most commonly affects women in their 20s, according to MD Anderson. HPV can lead to cervical cancer. Limiting sexual partners, using condoms and getting an HPV vaccine may limit the risk of exposure to HPV. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 19 million new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) occur each year, and almost half of those affect 18 to 29-year-olds. Rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea are also higher in 20 to 29-year-olds than in any other age group, including adolescents. Many common STDs can lead to serious health problems — chlamydia, if left untreated, can cause infertility, and late-stage syphilis can be fatal. If you think you may have an STD, see your doctor immediately. Apps, such as Triage, also let users submit photos of their symptoms to doctors to find out if they might have an STD.
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