STD Symptoms

One of the most important things to understand about sexually transmitted infections is the fact that many of them do not cause any visible STD symptoms. For the majority of STDs, it is more than likely that you will not be aware that you have contracted any infection after having unprotected sex.

The asymptomatic nature of many STDs makes them especially dangerous, and it is incorrect to assume that the lack of STD symptoms means that an STD is less harmful. A significant number of STDs cause infertility if they are not treated, while other health conditions including epididymitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and cervical cancer are also possible complications brought on by an untreated infection.

It is primarily bacterial infections that do not show any STD symptoms, while viral STDs are more likely to do so. Despite the lack of symptoms, bacterial STDs are usually easily treatable with a course of antibiotics. There is not yet a cure for viral STDs, meaning that even though the individual outbreaks can be controlled, the virus will stay dormant in the body.

Symptoms of bacterial STDs

As mentioned above, many of these types of infections will not show any visible STD symptoms. For this reason, we recommend that you regularly take an STD test, especially if you are engaging in unprotected sex. Listed below are some of the possible symptoms of bacterial STDs that could occur, and which should lead you to take an STD test:

• Unusual discharge from the vagina, penis, or anus
• Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area
• Pain during sex
• Pain while urinating, or a the need to urinate more frequently
• Soreness, itching, or general Irritation at the genital or anal area
• Bleeding between periods or after sex

The majority of bacterial STDs are completely curable thanks to a range of antibiotic treatment options, but it is necessary to first take an STD test to confirm that you have contracted an STD with a positive test result.

Symptoms of viral STDs

Though viral infections usually do have visible STD symptoms, it is possible that these symptoms will not appear straight away. This is why it is important to take an STD test if you have had unprotected sex. Two of the most prevalent viral STDs are genital herpes and genital warts. STD symptoms of these infections can appear weeks or months after the incident of unprotected sex took place, and in some cases it can even take years. In the majority of cases, these viral infections are not curable.

Potential STD symptoms of genital herpes:

• Pain when urinating
• Pain in the abdomen
• Swollen glands
• Sores or ulcers around the genital, anal, or groin area
• Patches on the skin, usually reddish or dark in color

If you think you may have contracted genital herpes, you can test for the infection with a Genital Herpes test. A Full STD Screen test is recommended as it will be able to establish whether you have also contracted any other STDs at the same time. Though there is no cure for genital herpes, it is possible to treat outbreaks with antiviral treatments, and you can prevent the spread of the virus if you treat it before STD symptoms arise.

Potential STD symptoms of genital warts: The appearance of fleshy growths around the genital area Changes to urine flow caused by internal growths There is not currently a test available for genital warts, and it is only possible to diagnose them with a physical examination by a doctor. Other viral STDs, such as hepatitis and HIV, require a blood test administered by a qualified medical professional to test for the infection.