A Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) is a disease or infection that is passed from one person to another via sexual contact (orally, vaginally, or anally).  STDs can also be transmitted via sharing needles, from mother to baby during childbirth, or from breastfeeding.  There are over 20 types of STDs, including Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Genital Herpes, Oral Herpes, HIV/AIDS, HPV, or Syphilis.  Many STDs are transmitted via unprotected sex, but people can catch them by coming in contact with an affected area (in the case of Oral Herpes), or exchanging oral saliva (in the case of Menningitis).  

Depending on the STD, people may or may not experience any symptoms.  In the case of Chlamydia, a high percentage of men and women won't display any symptoms, but they can still transmit the virus because they are infected with it.  If you think you are infected with an STD, it is best to go get checked to prevent transferring it to any future partners.  

Chlamydia Symptoms:

• Painful Urination
• Vaginal Discharge
• Pain During Sexual Intercouse
• Bleeding between periods in women
• Testicular Pain in men

Gonorrhea Symptoms:

• Thick, Cloudy Discharge from vagina or penis
• Sensitve Swollen Testicles in Men
• Painful Bowel Movements
• Heavy Bleeding between periods in women
• Anal Itching
• Pain or Burning during Urination

HIV Symptoms:

• Fever
• Chills
• Rash
• Fatigue
• Muscle Aches
• Night Sweats
• Swollen Lymph Nodes

Oral Herpes Symptoms:

• Oral Sores (on the lips, chin, gums, inside of the cheeks, or roof of the mouth)
• Pain, Burning, or Itching (at the infection site before sores appear)
• Fever
• Body Aches
• Swollen Lymph Nodes
• Pain When Swallowing
• Painful Throat with Possible Ulcers (rare, but this can affect people in their 20s)

Hepatitis Symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Flu-like symptoms
• Dark Urine
• Pale Stools
• Abdominal Pain
• Loss of Appetite
• Yellow Skin and Eyes (possible signs of Jaundice)

STDs are passed through unprotected sexual contact, be it vaginally, anally, or orally.  When a non-infected person has sexual contact with an infected person, they can likely catch the bacteria.  Some condoms can help decrease the chance of catching the virus.  A person can also catch the virus without penetration.  Touching genitals or coming in contact with the infected area can transmit the disease, depending on the disease, as well.  Common causes for STDs are:

• Sexual Contact (vaginally, orally, or anally)
• Bacteria (Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, or Syphilis)
• Parasites (Trichomoniasis)
• Viruses (HPV, HIV, or Genital Herpes)
• During Childbirth
• Breastfeeding
• Touching Something (such as a towel, dish, sponge, or razor that has been touched by an infected area of someone with Oral Herpes or Genital Herpes) 

• If your partner or you has a STD, the most effective way to not pass the bacteria is to abstain from sexual contact.  To decrease the chances of getting a STD, avoid having sexual contact with multiple partners at a time.  Always ask if the sexual partner is clean or has a STD.
• You may not think a healthy diet can help treat STDs, but a healthy diet can help boost the immune system, making it more capable of combating infections.  Maintaining a diet comprised of raw nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables, lots of water, probiotics, and wheatgrass can be very beneficial.  Avoid eating meat, processed foods, dairy, sugar, salt, alcohol, and smoking.  The raw foods provide your body with essential nutrients and you ultimately don't pollute your body processed ingredients on a raw diet. 
• Consuming goldenseal and echinacea increases the strength of the immunse system.  Both of these have natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to get rid of STDs.  
• Drinking concoctions that include sage, about 4-5 times a day, can help the body eliminate infections.  Make sage tea by steeping fresh sage in boiling water.  You can even add lemon juice or organic, raw honey to help increase the power of the elixir.   
• Saw Palmetto, which has been used to treat Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in both men and women, has anti-bacterial properties that help fight off bacteria and heal infected tissues.  It is a natural antiseptic, which makes it effective in treating infections of sexual organs. 
• Minimize the amount of stress as this can put strain on your immune system, making it more difficult to fight off infections and other viruses.  A great way to decrease stress is to ensure you are getting a good amount of sleep.  Sleep is the body's way of recuperating and it's important to allow it do so.  Exercising can also help relieve the body of stress.  When you’re exercising, your focus is not on the stressful things life, rather you concentrate on the way you feel.  Tai Chi and Yoga are great examples of exercises that help to reduce the constant feeling of stress.
• If you have Herpes, try to establish a mind/body connection by either practicing meditation or seeing a practitioner for guided imagery or clinical hypnosis.  You can similarly learn these techniques through self-training.  The goal is to have positive mental affirmations that make it acceptable to have the Herpes virus if it stays dormant.  While this method doesn't get rid of it, it helps supress outbreaks.
• Consider taking part in our Full Body Cleanse to help naturally rid the body of toxins and waste.  You can then follow up the cleanse with the Anti-Viral Cleanse, which is designed to help naturally rid your body parasites and viruses.  You can repeat the Anti-Viral Cleanse to keep lowering your viral load so you can get the virus out of your system. 

• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Beets
• Sweet Potatoes
• Lima Beans
• Dark Leafy Greens (spinach, kale, & chard)
• Herbal Teas
• Ginger
• Turmeric
• Echinacea
• Apples
• Figs
• Mangoes
• Apricots
• Pears
• Mushrooms (Shiitake in particular)
• Berries (rich in antioxidants)
• Coconut Oil
• Fermented Food (Kimchi, Sauerkraut)
• Green Tea
• Black Seed Extract