Cracking Down on Questionable STD Treatment Products

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Bogus, unsafe STD treatment products have been floating around on the Internet for far too long, and the government is finally stepping in to do something about it. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) contacted several manufacturers of products that claim to prevent STDs or provide STD treatment, warning them that their so called “cures” actually violate federal law.

While it’s true that STD treatment or cures are available for many infections, only prescription medication has been proven effective when it comes to curing or managing diseases. Unfortunately for consumers, websites offering natural cures for herpes or herbal remedies to prevent herpes outbreak are only, in reality, offering false hope. Only prescription medication, such as Zovirax (acyclovir) or Valtrax (valacyclovir) can help minimize future herpes outbreaks in diagnosed patients, and there are currently no cures for genital herpes, medicinal or otherwise.

By issuing warnings, the FDA and FTC are hoping to discourage companies from promoting non-prescription, non-verified STD treatment products so that those in need of STD treatment don’t end up wasting their money or, worse yet, compromising their health by purchasing over-the-counter cures online. In fact, all sexually active adults are encouraged to undergo regular STD testing and educate themselves on the signs and symptoms of STDs as well as appropriate STD treatment methods. Certain sexually transmitted diseases can be eliminated from the body once contracted, but by neglecting to seek legitimate medical advice and instead getting sucked in by flashy ads making false claims, consumers are only putting their bodies and health at risk.

In addition to herpes, companies were also cited for offering false cures and treatments for chlamydia, genital warts, and HIV/AIDS.

So is chlamydia curable? Absolutely. But it takes prescription antibiotics—not herbs and potions—to get the job done.

Source: health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/sexual-and-reproductive-health/articles/2011/05/03/us-officials-take-aim-at-questionable-std-products