[Psychological aspects of sexually transmitted diseases]

The psychological aspects of sexually transmitted diseases first refer to the psychological consequences on the patient himself and also on his affective circle. The intensity of these consequences shows the importance, in every subject, of the fantasies about sexually transmitted diseases which have always threatened sexuality. Therefore these fantasies also affect the cares. The latter's fantasies can sometimes weaken the precarious psychological balance of the patient himself and of his affective circle. This can be confirmed in the case of a sexually transmitted disease in one of the partners of a couples or in the case of a sexually transmitted disease after sexual abuse. Sometimes, psychological factors play an important role in the onset of a sexually transmitted disease in a subject. For example, adolescence which promotes acting out and taking risks exposes young people to sexually transmitted diseases. In the other respects, it has been demonstrated that recurrences of the genital herpes simplex virus could be linked to psychosocial factors. In any case, it is the doctor-patient dialogue which is the best guarantor of an effective the repeutic and preventive action.