Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases
Several STIs can have the same symptoms, so you can't know which STI you might have. E.g. can the symptoms of an infection with chlamydia and gonorrhea be the same. Other symptoms are more obvious signs of a particular STI.
When you have symptoms, it is important to be examined by the doctor or possibly at a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases, if that is an option.
Do you have no symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases?
It is important to remember that you can be infected with a sexually transmitted disease without having symptoms.
If you have had sex without using protection with one or more new partners, it is a really good idea to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases. Even if you have no signs of being infected.
For example, only about half of the women who are infected with chlamydia show signs of the infection - only a quarter of the men get symptoms of infection with chlamydia.
Guide to symptoms
Which sexually transmitted diseases could your symptoms be a sign of? Here's a quick shortcut to reading about the STDs it could be.
Discharge
Discharge can come from the urethra, vagina and rectum.
It can be either white, greyish or greenish and be liquid, gritty or foamy. It can also smell.
Check these diseases if you have such symptoms:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Mycoplasma genitalium
- Trichomonas
- Mushroom
- Bacterial vaginosis
- LGV
Burning / Itching / Redness / Irritation
Some STDs can cause burning on the skin or when urinating, itching and/or redness on the skin and mucous membranes on or around the genitals, mouth or anus.
You may also feel as if you are urinating shards of glass.
Check these diseases if you have such symptoms:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Herpes
- Flat lice
- Scabies
- LGV
- Trichomonas
- Mushroom
- Bacterial vaginosis
Rashes / Sores / Bumps
Buds, warts or boils can appear as symptoms when you are infected with certain sexually transmitted diseases.
Rashes, warts or bumps can either be found right where you are infected, or sit elsewhere on the body. Rashes will often be reddish, while boils and warts are skin-colored.
However, abcesses can become so large that the skin reacts by reddening from irritation (as with pimples).
Check these diseases if you have such symptoms:
- Herpes
- Genital warts
- Syphilis
- Hiv
- Soft chancre
- Water warts
- LGV
Bleeding
There may be bleeding from the urethra, vagina or rectum if you are infected.
Check these diseases if you have such symptoms:
- Chlamydia
- HPV
- Gonorrhea
- Mycoplasma genitalium
Wounds
Some sexually transmitted diseases can cause sores - some types of sores cannot be felt. Other wounds are very clearly felt.
The wounds may well be where you don't see them, e.g. inside the mouth, vagina or rectum.
Check these diseases if you have such symptoms:
- Herpes
- Syphilis
- LGV
- Soft chancre
Fever / Flu-like condition / Swollen lymph nodes
A fever or a flu-like condition can also be a sign of infection with a sexually transmitted disease.
The lymph nodes in the neck, groin and rectum may also be swollen as a sign of infection.
Check these diseases if you have such symptoms:
- Herpes
- Hiv
- Syphilis
- Hepatitis B
- LGV
- Soft chancre
Swelling in the scrotum
For boys and men, contracting some sexually transmitted diseases can in rare cases lead to inflammation in part of the scrotum, which causes the scrotum to swell.
Check these diseases if you have such symptoms:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Mycoplasma genitalium
Dark urine / Light stools / Yellowing of the skin and eyes
Yellowing of faeces, urine, skin and eyes can be signs of infection with a sexually transmitted disease.
Check this STD if you have such symptoms:
- Hepatitis B
