Millions of American’s are infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) every year. STDs are passed from person to person through intimate physical contact, including vaginal, oral, and/or anal sex. Many STDs show no signs or symptoms (known as asymptomatic), however, even with no symptoms, the infection can be passed to sexual partners. Therefore, STD testing should be conducted regularly for anyone sexually active.
Types, Symptoms, and Treatments
Chlamydia
As the most commonly reported STD in the U.S., chlamydia is a bacterial infection of the genital tract spread through vaginal, oral or anal sex. It can be hard to detect because not all women have symptoms. When present, symptoms are usually mild and may include pain when urinating, vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain, and bleeding between periods.
Treatment: chlamydia can be easily cured with antibiotics.
Gonorrhea
Another bacterial infection in the genital tract, gonorrhea can also grow in your mouth, throat, eyes, and anus. Symptoms can start as early as 10 days after exposure, but many people will not experience symptoms for months. Symptoms may include a thick vaginal discharge, heavy bleeding during or between periods, pain when urinating or during bowel movements, and anal itching.
Treatment: gonorrhea can be cured with prescribed medications.
Syphilis
Another bacterial infection, syphilis affects the genitals, skin and mucous membranes, but it can also involve other parts of your body, including the brain and heart. Symptoms occur in three stages, with early signs being a small painless sore at the sight of infection. As symptoms progress, they may include penny-sized sores, fever, fatigue, soreness, and enlarged lymph nodes. If untreated, syphilis can lead to blindness, paralysis, dementia, and numbness.
Treatment: Syphilis can be cured with the right antibiotics, however, treatment will not undo any damage that the infection has already caused.
Trichomoniasis
This common STD is caused by a microscopic, one-celled parasite. Symptoms typically occur in five to 28 days of exposure and range from mild to severe. Symptoms may include clear or cloudy vaginal discharge, vaginal order or itching, and pain when urinating.
Treatment: trichomoniasis can be cured with a single dose of antibiotics.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Most sexually active people will get HPV at some point in their lives. HPV puts women at higher risk of cervical cancer. There are more than 100 strains of HPV and many do not cause symptoms, however, certain strains will cause genital warts.
Treatment: There is no treatment for the virus itself, but there are treatments for health problems caused by HPV. Additionally, there is a safe and effective vaccination to protect against HPV that is recommended for anyone 11 years or older.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis A, B, and C are contagious viral infections that affect the liver, however, hepatitis B and C are more serious. Not all people will develop symptoms, but those that do may experience fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, fever, muscle pain, itching, loss of appetite, or jaundice.
Treatment: hepatitis A and B often go away within four to eight weeks on their own. New drugs are being used to treat and possibly cure hepatitis C.
Genital Herpes (HSV)
A highly contagious STD caused by a type of the herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV enters the body through small breaks in the skin or mucous membranes. Signs and symptoms are very mild and frequently go unnoticed, so many people with HSV never know they have it.
Treatment: While there is no cure for herpes, medication can reduce symptoms and make it less likely to spread to others.
HIV
An infection with the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV interferes with the body’s ability to fight off viruses, bacteria, and fungi that cause illness. It can lead to AIDS, a chronic, life-threatening disease. Early symptoms may include headache, fever, sore throat, swollen lymph glands, and fatigue.
Treatment: There is no cure, but treatment will help to prevent complications and spreading.
Takeaway
As shown above, some STDs can be “easily” cured in a simple dosage of antibiotics, while others cannot be cured. The safest measure is to use protection in the form of latex condoms. Adults in monogamous relationships should have both partners checked for STDs before considering unprotected intercourse. Lastly, have all young adults 11 to 26 vaccinated against HPV.
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Know the risks, signs, and symptoms of the most common STDs in women
Women who are sexually active, or who are thinking of becoming active, should know the risks involved, which includes the potential contraction of a sexually transmitted disease (STD). There are several STDs that sexually active women should know and understand before engaging in sexual behavior. The chart below outlines the most common STDs impacting women, how they can be contracted, their symptoms, and how they can be prevented.
STD: Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Contraction: With more than 30 types of HPV, nearly every sexually active person will contract a form of HPV at some point in their lives. HPV can be contracted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and by skin-to-skin contact.
Signs & Symptoms:
- Most types of HPV have no symptoms, cause no harm, and your body will cure itself
- Other forms cause genital warts, while others infect the mouth and throat
- The worst strains can cause cancer of the mouth, throat, or cervix
Prevention: Two vaccines are available to protect against HPV, and one also protects against genital warts, vaginal cancer, and anal cancer. The CDC recommends young women ages 11 to 26 to get vaccinated for HPV.
STD: Chlamydia
Contraction: Chlamydia is the most common STD in the United States. It is spread by vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Signs & Symptoms: Only 25 percent of women see symptoms, which can include:
- Odd discharge from your vagina
- Pain or burning during urination
Prevention: As with all STDs, practicing safe sex practices can help protect against contraction. Safe sex practices include:
- Abstinence
- Committing to one monogamous, long-term relationship with someone who has been tested for STDs
- Using latex condoms correctly and consistently
STD: Gonorrhea
Contraction: Gonorrhea is a bacterial STD, often contracted with Chlamydia during oral, vaginal, or anal sex.
Signs & Symptoms: Only 20 percent of women see symptoms, which can include:
- Odd discharge from your vagina
- Pain or burning during urination
Prevention: Follow the safe sex practices listed above and get tested right away in you develop genital warts.
STD: Syphilis
Contraction: Contracted through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It is spread through direct contact of sores on a sexual partner, usually found on the genitals, anus, rectum, mouth and lips.
Signs & Symptoms: There are four stages to Syphilis, each with varying symptoms:
- Stage 1: Development of a sore that can look like a cut, an ingrown hair, or a bump
- Stage 2: Development of a rash on your body followed by sores in your mouth, vagina, or anus
- Stage 3: Symptoms usually disappear. This stage can last for years, or the rest of your life
- Stage 4: Affects 15 percent of those untreated and includes organ, nerve, and brain damage
Prevention:
- Follow safe sex guidelines
- Get tested regularly for STDs
- See your doctor if you develop any sores, blisters, bumps, or rashes
- Avoid sexual contact with anyone who has visible sores, discharge, blisters, or bumps in the genital area
STD: Herpes
Contraction: This easily contracted STD is spread by skin-to-skin contact with an infected sexual partner, including contact with the areas of the skin that a condom does not cover.
Signs & Symptoms:
- The primary symptom is painful blisters around the vagina or anus, or inside the vagina and anus, where they can be neither seen nor felt
- Both strains of herpes, HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause genital herpes
- Other symptoms include flu-like symptoms, fever, and swollen glands
Prevention: Practice safe sex or absinence.
STD: Trichomoniasis
Contraction: This STD is caused by a tiny parasite, and infects more women than men. Trichomoniasis is contracted through vaginal contact.
Signs & Symptoms:
- 30 percent of those with the disease experience symptoms, which include itching, burning, or sore genitals
- Smelly, clear, white, yellowish or greenish discharge
Prevention:
- Practice safe sex practices
- Avoid sexual contact with anyone displaying the symptoms of Trichomoniasis
STD: HIV/AIDS
Contraction: HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. The virus is passed through fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. It can be transmitted by vaginal or anal intercourse or sharing a needle with someone who is infected.
Signs & Symptoms:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Slight fever
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Eventually, HIV will destroy the immune system, stopping the body’s ability to fight off infections
Prevention:
- Practice safe sex guidelines
- Use a condom correctly every time you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex
- Do not inject drugs, but if you do, only use sterile injection equipment and water, and never share your equipment with others
If you are experiencing anything out of the norm, don’t wait to get see your OB-GYN. He or she is familiar with STDs and can get you the help and treatment you need.
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