Having unprotected sex is always a gamble. Even if you’ve been with your partner for long, you don’t always know what they’re doing. You could end up with a sexually transmitted disease or STD.
Getting an STD surely feels embarrassing, but it’s much more common than you know; an estimated 20 million cases are discovered yearly. In addition to the uncomfortable symptoms, it’s also a good reminder to take safe sex very seriously. Dr. Alan Patterson explains more about the symptoms of STDs and what you should do if you have them.
The biggest clues that you could have an STD are burning or itching sensations in your genitals. But sometimes, you may not have any symptoms at all, and STD testing is the only way it can be detected.
Some of the symptoms you may have include the following:
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s generally a sign that something is wrong and you need to make an appointment with Dr. Patterson as soon as possible.
All of these symptoms may be signs of underlying sexually transmitted diseases. Here are some of the most common associated symptoms and diseases.
A gonorrhea infection is no laughing matter. Recent reports have found that many cases of gonorrhea are becoming resistant to treatment worldwide, including in the US. Symptoms of gonorrhea may include:
Don’t just write off these symptoms as usual but bothersome. You owe it to your health to get tested.
A tiny parasite causes trichomoniasis; it’s so small that it only has a single cell. However, that one cell can cause a nasty infection. Signs of trichomoniasis include:
The symptoms of trichomoniasis won’t go away on their own, so seeking treatment at the first signs is important.
Chlamydia is another disease like gonorrhea which is increasing in incidence worldwide. Symptoms of a chlamydia infection include:
If you have the symptoms of chlamydia, you need treatment. Untreated STDs can lead to other issues, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, which can hurt your future fertility.
Also known as human immunodeficiency virus, HIV is one STD that you definitely don’t want to catch. The virus stays in your body forever and may progress to acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS. You may have no symptoms at first, but symptoms may develop. Symptoms of HIV include the following:
If you test positive for HIV, you’ll need continued care and monitoring to help you to stay well.
Any of the symptoms that something isn’t right “down there” should be taken very seriously. It’s very common to test positive for sexually transmitted diseases, so you shouldn’t feel ashamed. But you should take it seriously enough to get tested and commit to following safe sex procedures in the future, including using condoms and insisting on STD testing from your partners before you have sex with them. Dr. Alan Patterson can perform STD testing in his office and provide the results and treatment. Contact his Coral Springs, FL, office today or request an appointment online.
