STD symptoms, though common, can show up differently for men and women, so it’s vital that you know what signs to look for if you suspect you have contracted an STD. The sooner you notice these signs and symptoms, the sooner you can treat these sexually transmitted diseases. Keep reading to learn more.
Chlamydia Symptoms
One of the most commonly reported STDs is chlamydia, which affects more women than it does men. Women will exhibit symptoms of discharge from the vagina, experience painful sexual intercourse, burning during urination, and rectal pain. Typically, this type of STD is asymptomatic, but if you leave it untreated, it could cause pelvic inflammatory disease, leading to infertility.
If a man were to contract chlamydia, he would show symptoms of pain in his testicles and lower abdomen, frequent urination accompanied by a burning sensation, and penile discharge. While it is more common in women, men can still experience this STD and transmit it through genital contact, even if there is no sexual intercourse.
Gonorrhea Symptoms
The second most common STD, gonorrhea, does not always show symptoms yet it can have serious long-term effects on the individual. Women will experience vaginal bleeding between periods, sore throats, anal itching, rectal pain, and abdominal or pelvic pain during sexual intercourse. Men will exhibit the same sore throat and anal itching, along with testicular pain, penile discharge, and a burning sensation during urination.
Gonorrhea is more prominent in the male population because it can spread more easily during same-sex intercourse. While women can contract gonorrhea, they will most likely have milder symptoms.
Genital Herpes Symptoms
Herpes, in general, can be transmitted through sexual intercourse and body-to-body contact. This virus has no cure, but you can control and manage outbreaks through medications. Often, signs can present themselves as urinary tract infections in women, so it’s essential that no matter what gender you are, you receive regular STD testing.
Women will show symptoms of sores in or around the vagina, flu-like symptoms, pain during urination because of the sores, and discomfort similar to yeast infections or UTIs. Men have a much shorter list of signs and symptoms, including swelling in the groin nodes, sores around the penis, and flu-like symptoms. Seek treatment immediately if you believe you could have genital herpes.
You should know these STD symptoms in both men and women so you’ll know what to look for if you believe you’ve contracted one of these diseases. Unfortunately, most STDs are more common in women than they are in men because the vaginal surface is much larger and more vulnerable to sexual secretions than the skin on the penis. Many of these symptoms go unnoticed, which could become more threatening to the sexual health of females. If you live in the Raleigh, NC area, consider scheduling your next STD testing as soon as you notice these symptoms. We highly recommend getting tested for STDs regularly to help you understand what signs to look for and ensure you’re taking care of your sexual health.
