With Love, Thelms

Hi babes and welcome to the Nurse Thelms Says series! If you’re not familiar or are new here, my name is Thelma and I am a registered nurse. I specialize in patients with liver issues who need or will soon need a transplant. I also make it my job as a registered nurse to understand the body in its entirety, so that I can be a form of resource for all.

So I figured what better way to do that then by starting this series: Nurse Thelms Says. Once a month I will focus on a topic I’ve been asked concerning health, wellness, and disease processes. No topic is off limits! I am here to answer them all. I mean hey! We’re all adults here, so ask and you shall surely receive! All questions/ topics you guys request for me to discuss will remain anonymous — so there’s absolutely no need to worry about privacy.

To kick this series off, the first topic I’m honing in on is:

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES / INFECTIONS.

The Nurse Says: sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise not only in the United States, but around the world. Why though? With all the education we get in school and hopefully from our parents, why is it that it continues to rise? As a registered nurse, I believe there are three main things contributing to the uprise in such diseases/infections.

The first, lack of vital information.

Many of us have an idea of the general concerns when STDs are involved (giving it to another, disfiguring warts or scarring to the vaginal or penile area, etc). However, many don’t truly understand the ramifications that can occur from getting just one STD, let alone several. When you get a STD you place yourself at risk of dying (extreme, but true). You also place yourself at risk of being bairn (without children) due to all the scarring the sexual infection causes to the vaginal wall / uterus. In women it can also lead to CANCER. Yep, cancer — cervical cancer to be specific. In men, such sexually transmitted infections can cause blindness, personality changes, and damage to the joints. I’ll let that sink in as I move to the next point.

The second (contributing to the uprise in STDs), reckless abandonment and/or lack of concern for self or others. When we know better, we do better right? At least that’s what that saying leads us to believe, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes, many can know better but still carry out actions that showcase the opposite. I believe that when such actions take place, it shows reckless abandonment, carelessness, and selfishness. Those traits then contribute to significant others cheating on their partners (without ever thinking to use protection). Additionally, they cheat without a thought for how doing so might make their partner feel. Thus leading to a break in trust and most importantly the potential of carrying diseases from person to person.

The third (contributing to the uprise in STDs), the increased accessibility to the opposite sex or whatever gender peaks one’s interest by way of dating apps. With dating apps running rampant, many are able to cypher through men/women at an alarming rate. Picking and choosing what they want, using them for what they need (sexual encounters), and moving on the next when the desire has been fulfilled. As a registered nurse, this is extremely concerning. In a previous post on With Love, Thelms — I discussed my journey using a dating app. Thought due to personal preference, I did not use it as a means to hook up with men. However, that is not the case for many others. By using dating apps and not being responsible, you have no way of knowing what others are involved with who you might be involved with. That my friends… is a dangerous game.

Sexually transmitted diseases aren’t going anywhere. They are here and will be for the foreseeable future. However, to decrease its rise in number — we as a people can do our part to be/remain responsible and informed.

Nurse Thelms Says: The safe way is always the best way.

Till next month lovelies.

Be well & stay protected,

Thelms

friendly reminder, new blog posts on With Love, Thelms every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for you babes’ viewing pleasure.