Empowering Rural Health: Education and Support for Sexual Wellness

An increasing number of rural areas in America have been getting less and less access to health care services due to local clinics shutting down because of funding or staffing issues. This creates a great divide for rural residents and their health needs. That divide, in turn, creates major problems across a spectrum of health care issues. Greater Regional Health has made strides to combat these growing challenges and make sure all residents of our community and surrounding areas can meet their needs when they arise. This is why our team is working to raise awareness of common health issues that affect our patients the most, because Greater Regional believes in providing quality education to ensure autonomy in the health care decision-making process.

That’s why the discussion on all health issues is important, even topics that are considered “taboo,” as these issues are more difficult to combat. Unfortunately, sexual and reproductive health is overly stigmatized, which makes it harder for individuals to educate themselves and find treatment. Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) affects all persons, regardless of age, race, gender, economic status, and more. According to the National Library of Medicine, rural individuals have significantly higher rates of HPV-related cancers compared to their urban counterparts. Sexually transmitted diseases cover a large spectrum of symptoms, conditions, and long-term effects. Education can not only help treat these conditions but also prevent them from happening in the first place.

Some STDs can easily be treated and cured with the right interventions. However, there are some that cannot be cured; instead, you can manage the symptoms of that STD. Medical intervention can also stop the spread of disease and prevent other health conditions like fertility problems, organ damage, and cancer. If left unchecked, many STDs can cause serious harm or even become life-threatening. That’s why no one should ever be too scared to get tested. It’s better for yourself and for others to know exactly what is happening with your body. The table below describes common STD’s and what signs to look out for.

STD	Symptoms	Next Steps
Chlamydia	- Painful urination- Lower abdominal or back pain- Vaginal or penile discharge- Pain during sex- Testicle pain/swelling- Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding- Irregular bleeding between periods	- Get tested (NAAT test) - Treatable with antibiotics - Notify partners and avoid sex until cleared
Gonorrhea	- Thick, cloudy, or bloody genital discharge- Painful urination- Swollen/painful testicles- Pelvic pain- Rectal symptoms: itching, discharge, pain- Eye, throat, or joint involvement possible	- Get tested (NAAT or culture) - Treated with antibiotics (often an injection + oral meds) - Test for co-infections like chlamydia
Trichomoniasis	- Green/yellow/clear vaginal or penile discharge- Strong vaginal odor- Genital itching, burning, or irritation- Pain during sex- Painful urination	- Get tested (swab or urine test) - Single-dose antibiotic treatment (metronidazole or tinidazole) - Avoid sex until treatment is complete
HIV	Early stage:- Fever, sore throat, rash, swollen glands, fatigue Chronic stage:- Weight loss, diarrhea, fever, cough AIDS stage:- Severe infections, memory loss, night sweats, mouth/genital sores, extreme fatigue	-Get an HIV test (rapid or lab-based)  - Start antiretroviral therapy (ART) ASAP if positive - Regular follow-ups and monitoring - Use protection and encourage partner testing
Genital Herpes	- Painful blisters or ulcers around genitals/mouth- Itching, burning, vaginal discharge- Flu-like symptoms during first outbreak- Recurrences vary by person	- Blood test or swab of sores - Antiviral medications to reduce severity/frequency - Manage symptoms, avoid contact during outbreaks - Inform partners because you can transmit without symptoms
HPV (Genital Warts)	- Small bumps or cauliflower-shaped warts- Itching or discomfort- Bleeding with sex- Often asymptomatic- Rarely: warts in mouth/throat	- Visual diagnosis or Pap smear/HPV DNA test (for women) - Warts can be removed (freezing, creams, surgery) - HPV vaccine for prevention - Monitor for cancer risk if high-risk HPV type is present
Hepatitis A, B, & C	- Fatigue, nausea, vomiting- Right upper abdominal pain- Dark urine, clay-colored stool- Jaundice (yellow skin/eyes)- Joint/muscle pain, itching	- Blood tests to determine type (A, B, or C) - Hep A & B can be prevented with vaccines - Hep C is curable with antiviral meds - Avoid alcohol, follow up for liver monitoring
Syphilis	Primary: Painless sore (chancre)Secondary: Rash (especially palms/soles), swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, patchy hair loss Latent: No symptoms but still infectious Tertiary: Organ damage (brain, heart, nerves), paralysis, dementia, blindness Neurosyphilis/Ocular/Otosyphilis: Headaches, vision or hearing changes, confusion	-Blood test (RPR, VDRL) - Treated with penicillin injection - Immediate treatment crucial to prevent serious damage - Sexual partners should be tested - Follow-up testing is needed to ensure cure

To learn more visit: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/in-depth/std-symptoms/art-20047081

But as always, the best care is preventative care! Here’s some tips on how to prevent contracting a STD:

• Use condoms

• Get vaccines against these illnesses

• Get tested regularly

• Use medicine to prevent exposure

• Limit your number of sexual partners

• Don’t drink/eat after people

• Don’t use old/used needles

• Be diligent of what you do!

But STDs only scratch the surface of what sexual and reproductive health means. Within this broad area of health care, you’ll also find access to family planning and contraception, maternal and perinatal health, infertility management, and much more. Greater Regional is finding more ways to expand access to these services. From gynecology and obstetrics to public health seminars, you can be assured that you have the resources to raise awareness and fight against any stigma or misconceptions. All staff at Greater Regional and our affiliates are trained to meet people where they are, without judgment. To learn more about sexual health for you and your family, visit your provider today.

Credits:

Mayo Clinic Staff. 2024. Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Symptoms; Learn About Common and Possible STD Symptoms and How Serious They Might Be. Mayo Clinic Press. Retrieved July 31, 2025.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/in-depth/std-symptoms/art-20047081 

Valentine JA, Delgado LF, Haderxhanaj LT, Hogben M. Improving Sexual Health in U.S. Rural Communities: Reducing the Impact of Stigma. AIDS Behav. 2022 Jan;26(Suppl 1):90-99. doi: 10.1007/s10461-021-03416-4. Epub 2021 Aug 26. PMID: 34436713; PMCID: PMC8390058. Retrieved July 31, 2025.  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8390058/