Protect Yourself
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections you can get through sexual contact (vaginal, oral, or anal). More than 20 STIs have been identified so far.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nearly 20 million new sexually transmitted infections occur each year in the US. Half of these infections occur in people ages 15-24. STIs increase your risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV and also can lead to other health complications such as infertility and ectopic pregnancy.
Most STDs are easily cured if they’re caught early. Unfortunately, many people don’t seek treatment because they have no symptoms and thus don’t even know they have an infection. Other people have symptoms, but don’t go to the doctor because they are too embarrassed or don’t realize that their symptoms are a warning sign of a serious infection. This is tragic, because untreated STIs can cause severe health problems and may even result in death. Also, when left untreated, they’re likely to continue spreading from one person to another.
This is one of the reasons we recommend an annual exam for many women. We can screen for STIs even if you are not experiencing symptoms.
Understanding the symptoms of STIs and how they are transmitted is the first step to early treatment and prevention. Here’s a quick guide to the most common symptoms of STIs and the specific diseases that may cause them:
Unusual discharge from penis, or vagina
Bumps, blisters, or warts
Painless sores on mouth, penis, or vagina
Jaundice (yellow skin), fatigue, and abdominal pain
Pain or burning during urination or sex
Itching or burning around penis, vagina, or anus
Yellow-green discharge from vagina with odor
Flu-like symptoms
Abdominal pain
Bleeding between periods
Unexplained weight loss
The only way to be sure you won’t get an STD is abstinence (not having sex).
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