By Grant Mya
The most common symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases are rashes, sores, or lesions around the private parts. However, these can come and go before producing any noticeable signs. The only surefire way to know if you have contracted an STD is to take a medical test in which your bodily fluids are examined for STDs by a professional.
Below is a list of common signs of STDs:
- Changes in urination
With changes in urination, there is a little bit of blood in the urine, but not enough to send you running for a doctor. The color can range from red to pink or even brown, and it’s often accompanied by pain and burning sensations when urinating.
- Burning during urination
Burning is another sign that something is wrong with your urinary system. It’s usually accompanied by other symptoms like pain, itching, irritation, discharge from the urethra, and redness around the genitalia.
- Cuts or sores near the private parts
Cuts or sores are often caused by ulcers that pop up on your skin due to STDs. They are usually found close to the genitals and may be accompanied by swelling, pain, fever, or itching.
- Vomiting or nausea
Vomiting and nausea are common among those who ingest STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea through oral sex. It can also occur after contact with ulcers due to the herpes virus. Those who have recently had sexual relations should always look for such visible signs of STDs.
- Weight loss and fatigue
When your immune system is affected, you will feel fatigued and may experience weight loss. People with genital herpes experience this because their immune systems are working hard to fight off the virus, leading to a compromised immune system throughout the body.
- Pain during sex
It may be difficult to enjoy sex when experiencing pain during or after intimate relations. Usually, it’s accompanied by a discharge of fluid from the urethra for men and vaginal fluids for women. However, anytime an unusual smell is accompanied by these discharges, you should always get checked out by a professional immediately.
The benefits of detecting the STD symptoms early
- One can begin treatment
Early treatment of some STDs can prevent long-term health problems such as infertility and certain cancers. Treatment for STDs is most effective when the infection is detected early; therefore, it is vital to see a doctor if you think you may have been exposed to an STD.
- It can save you from enormous expenses
When receiving treatment for an STD that has reached a chronic state, it is necessary to continue with medication and monthly checkups for a long time, costing thousands of dollars. Moreover, some medications must be taken with other drugs, increasing the costs even more.
- You can contact your partner and inform them about their exposure
If you have received a diagnosis for an STD, telling all of your sexual partners (past and present) about their potential exposure to the disease is crucial. Early detection of all STDs can help you avoid spreading the infection to other people.
In a nutshell, the earlier STDs are detected and treated, the better off you will be. If you have any symptoms of an STD or think that your partner(s) may have been exposed to an STD, see a doctor immediately.
