What it's actually like to have an STD, according to people who have one

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• Few things carry as much stigma as STDs — but having one is more common than you may think.
• In 2016, more than 2 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Sex therapists and people with STDs assert that life (and sexual fulfillment) can continue after an STD diagnosis, as long as you handle it the right way. 

Finding out you have a sexually transmitted disease can be devastating, life-altering news for some. But it's important to remember that you're not alone in your struggle. In fact, the CDC estimates that nearly 20 million new sexually transmitted infections occur every year. The CDC also found that in the US in 2016, more than 2 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported — the highest number ever. Dr. Kate Balestrieri, a licensed psychologist and certified sex therapist, sees firsthand how STDs impact the lives of her patients, and says it's important to know that life — and happiness — goes on after being diagnosed.
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