What are the symptoms of sexually transmitted infections?
Sexually transmitted infections and diseases (STIs and STDs) — also known as venereal diseases — don’t always cause symptoms. Because of this, men and women can unknowingly spread the infections to their partners. But sometimes sexually transmitted infections do cause symptoms, which are described below.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia can lead to nonspecific symptoms like pelvic pain or discomfort during intercourse. You could also experience:
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Spotting between periods
- Burning while urinating
Herpes
Herpes is a chronic infection that can lead to blisters and ulcers around your genitals. You could even have:
- A fever
- Overall lethargy
- Pain while urinating
Gonorrhea
If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to infertility, so it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms, so you know when to see your OB/GYN. Gonorrhea can lead to:
- Swelling of your vulva
- Spotting after sexual intercourse
- Irregular bleeding between periods
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis can lead to pain during intercourse and burning while urinating. This STI is known for causing an abnormal vaginal odor as well as vaginal discharge.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of viruses that can increase your risk of cervical cancer. With HPV, you might have no obvious symptoms, other than the possible development of genital warts. HPV can also lead to abnormal Pap smear results.
Do I need to be screened for sexually transmitted infections?
Yes! Sexually transmitted infection screening is essential for anyone who’s sexually active, regardless of whether or not you’re experiencing symptoms. The compassionate team at Signature Women’s Healthcare encourage you to have an STI evaluation soon if you:
- Were exposed to an STI or STD by your partner
- Don’t use a condom during sexual intercourse
- Have more than one sexual partner
- Have a history of STIs and/or STDs
STI testing can be included as part of your annual well-woman exam, but it’s not always automatic. It’s important to talk with your OB/GYN about STI and STD screening, so you can undergo any testing you might need.
How are sexually transmitted infections treated?
If your STI test comes back positive, the team at Signature Women’s Healthcare can schedule you for a follow-up exam. Depending on your diagnosis and the severity of your symptoms, your OB/GYN can get you started on STI-specific oral antibiotics or antiviral medication.
Signature Women’s Healthcare generally recommends coming in for another screening after several months to ensure your STI treatment has been effective. Your OB/GYN is likely also going to talk with you about safe sex practices to prevent the spread of STIs and how to lower your risk in the future.
If you need to get screened or treated for sexually transmitted infections, contact Signature Women’s Healthcare for an exam. You can book an appointment online or over the phone.
