My Vote Doesn’t Matter, Anyway: Why Not Caring About Your Reproductive Health Is The Worst Thing You Can Do!

Apathy stinks. No matter what you are apathetic about: your job, your partner, your country’s politics, or your body, it is a major bummer. And while it may seem a long way away, you should not only care about things that affect your world but also things that affect your womb. Unprotected sex can lead to some pretty unpleasant things (a.k.a. sexually transmitted infections—think gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV, and herpes), which can cause some pretty serious damage to your fertility (specifically, your fallopian tubes) down the road.

So, here’s why your vote matters.

Sexually transmitted infections are no fun. But unfortunately, they are sort of frequent. Approximately one in four women will be diagnosed with an STD during their lifetime—and given that many who contract an STD never seek treatment, this number is likely a lot larger. In fact, there are about 19 million new cases reported every year in the United States.

The problem with STDs is not only the possible itching, burning, and oh-so unpleasant discharge but also the long-term effects like chronic pelvic pain, scar tissue, and infertility. Infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia can leave a mark that even the best of treatments can’t erase. However, the earlier you seek treatment, the less the negative impact will be. Therefore, don’t be shy about sharing your secrets with your doctor. We never judge!

While prevention is the key (think condoms), sometimes the door has already been opened—think sex without condoms. In this case, curtailing what could potentially happen next is the goal.

Lesson 1, share everything with your doctor. Make sure we know what you are doing and whom you are doing it with.

Lesson 2, if it is a new partner or one that you are not in a monogamous relationship with, you should undergo STD testing.

Lesson 3, while many sexually transmitted infections don’t announce themselves: “Hello, my name is Chlamydia, and I am here to annoy you,” if you are experiencing atypical symptoms (abnormal vaginal discharge, abdominal/pelvic pain, vaginal itching, or burning and fever), you need to go and get things checked out.

Lesson 4, use your voice to effect change. If you test positive for an STD, make sure to share this with your partner(s). They too will need treatment; you don’t want go into the ballot box on this decision alone. Be vocal about what’s going on with anyone who too is at risk.

Lesson 5, don’t take shortcuts when it comes to your course of treatment. Some antibiotic regimens can be lengthy and can require commitment in the form of a couple of weeks. Finishing what you started in terms of medication is mandatory to make sure you have rid yourself of these unwanted guests.

Lesson 6, while STDs come and go, even those that are treated can leave their mark in the form of scar tissue and tubal damage. Therefore, while we don’t recommend you wake up each day remembering the STD you contracted five years ago, when you start thinking about starting a family, you should consider seeking fertility assistance early in your fertility journey. Making the acquaintance of a fertility doctor early can make the path from potential parent to parent much shorter and smoother.

Not caring about what happens is a bad thing. Your voice and your vagina matter (spoken like true gynecologists!). The decision you make today can affect your health and your fertility in the future. While you may not walk out of the GYN’s office with a sticker that says, “I got tested for STDs,” you will get a clean bill of health.

And although this does not ensure that when you are ready to have a baby it’s smooth sailing, it does increase the chances that things get off to a good start. Giving up on yourself, particularly your health, is not an option. So, get out, and vote for your future. In this election, it’s a victory either way!