• Chlamydia
• Infections
• Vaginal Changes
• STDs

A Comprehensive Guide to STD Symptoms

Medically reviewed and edited by Jarrod Nero, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are among the most common health issues in the United States.

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 5 U.S. citizens (nearly 68 million people) have an STD.

Although most STDs can easily be treated and prevented, it’s often difficult to know when you’re infected if you can’t identify your symptoms.

That’s why it’s important to understand and recognize the signs of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the most common symptoms of STDs and what to do if you’re experiencing them.

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What are STDs?

A sexually transmitted disease (STD) are infections that develop due to sexual contact with an infected person. This may include vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

STDs can be caused by viruses, parasites, bacteria, and other harmful organisms that can lead to serious health complications if left untreated.

A Guide to STD Symptoms

What are the first signs of an infection?

Although many STIs don’t cause any symptoms, there are a number of things you can look out for that may indicate an infection. These include:

• Genital sores or ulcers

• Burning or painful urination

• Pain or discomfort during sex

• Unusual discharge

• Lower abdominal pain or pelvic discomfort

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Rash or skin abnormalities

• Genital warts

• Itching and irritation in the genital and anal areas

• Flu-like symptoms, like fatigue and muscle aches

If you experience any of these early signs, you must make an appointment with your sexual health doctor.

They can help you determine if an STD is causing your symptoms and recommend the appropriate treatment.

STD symptoms in men

Depending on the type of STD you’ve contracted, your symptoms may vary. Common symptoms associated with STDs in men include:

• Yellow, green, or pus-like discharge from the penis

• Pain or burning sensation while urinating

• Ulcers, sores, or blisters on the penis, scrotum, and surrounding areas

• Itching and irritation around the genitals

• Pain or swelling in the testicles

• Pain and discomfort during sex

• Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin

It’s important to note that some men with STDs may be asymptomatic, meaning they don’t have any obvious symptoms. The only way to be sure of your STD status is to have a test done.

STD symptoms in women

STD symptoms in women usually vary depending on the type of infection. Common symptoms associated with STDs in women include:

• Yellow, green, or gray-colored discharge with a foul smell and thick texture

• Pain or burning during urination

• Itching, redness, and irritation in the vaginal area

• Pain and discomfort during sex

• Sores, ulcers, or blisters on the vulva and vagina

• Lower abdominal pain and pelvic discomfort

• Irregular vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex

Similar to men, women with STDs may also be asymptomatic. That’s why it’s necessary to get tested regularly and to contact your doctor if you’ve been exposed to infection.

This can also help to prevent more severe health complications.

Oral STD symptoms

Oral STDs usually develop if the mouth or throat comes into contact with infected genital fluids. This can cause any of the following symptoms to appear:

• Sores or lesions around the lips, mouth, or throat

• Sore throat or difficulty swallowing

• Persistent or recurring ulcers or open sores in the mouth and throat

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

You can still develop an oral infection even if you or your partner don’t show these symptoms.

If you suspect you’ve been exposed to infected genital fluids, it’s recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Anal STD symptoms

Anal STDs develop when primary infections spread to the anus and rectum. This can cause various symptoms, such as:

• Rectal and anal itching

• Painful bowel movements

• Bleeding or discharge due to anal fissures (small cracks in the lining of the anus)

• Sores or blisters around or inside the anus

• Anal warts

• Rectal pain or discomfort

STDs around the rectal area are common occurrences among individuals who practice unprotected anal sex.

That’s why it’s recommended to use protection consistently to reduce your risk of infection. You should also make an appointment with your doctor if you experience any of the abovementioned symptoms for a professional diagnosis.

Eye STD symptoms

Similar to oral STDs, infections can also spread to the eyes if they come into contact with genital fluids. This may cause the following symptoms to develop:

• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

• Unusual clear, white, yellow, or green discharge from the eye

• Pain and redness

• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)

• Blurred vision

• Inflammation (uveitis)

• Vision loss

Developing an STD in the eye is quite rare. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, it’s likely due to a non-STD-related factor.

However, if your symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention for a proper evaluation.

When are STD Symptoms Serious?

Most STD symptoms are mild enough to resolve without serious medical intervention. In most cases, you’ll be able to alleviate these symptoms by using over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

However, it’s essential to keep an eye on your symptoms. If you experience any of the following, prompt medical attention and more intensive treatment may be required:

• Severe pain or discomfort in the genital area

• High fever or flu-like symptoms

• Worsening STD symptoms, such as rapidly spreading sores or increased swelling

• Open sores and lesions on the genitals

Even if your symptoms remain mild, it’s still recommended to speak to your doctor if you suspect you have an STD.

Leaving an infection untreated can cause a range of other health issues, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and even HIV.

Can I Have an STD and Be Asymptomatic?

As we’ve mentioned before, many people with STIs can be asymptomatic at first — meaning they don’t experience any visible symptoms.

There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, individuals have different immune responses to harmful organisms.

If you have a strong immune system, you may experience few or no symptoms. On the other hand, people with a weaker immune system are more likely to show signs of infection.

Secondly, people can act as ‘silent carriers’ of STDs. This means that they are infected with an STD but may not know it yet. If you are a silent carrier, you can still unknowingly spread the STD to others.

Thirdly, many STDs have an incubation period — this is the time between infection and when you start showing symptoms.

During this period, you may have an active infection that can be spread to others without being aware of it. For example, you could have genital herpes for weeks before you start showing signs of an infection, but you can still spread the disease to others.

Lastly, some STDs may remain contained in the infection site. This means that they don’t spread to other parts of the body and cause symptoms to appear in areas like the mouth.

The asymptomatic nature of STDs makes them difficult to detect and control. That’s why many health care providers recommend always practicing safe sex, especially if you have multiple partners.

This includes using barrier methods — like condoms — and communicating clearly with sexual partners.

How will I know if I have an STD?

The best way to be sure of your STD status is to undergo regular testing and screenings. This helps doctors to catch infections early on, which may prevent longer-term complications.

You should also speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about your STD status or you suspect that you’ve been exposed to infected genital fluids.

How are STDs Diagnosed?

Depending on your infection, there are different methods of diagnosing your STD. This may include:

• Physical examination: One of the first things your doctor will do is perform a physical examination to check for any visible signs of STDs — such as genital sores, rashes, or discharge. They may also examine the mouth, rectum, and eyes.

• Medical history and symptoms assessment: Your health care provider may ask you about your sexual history, including your recent sex partners and the types of activities you engaged in. They will also ask you about the symptoms you’re experiencing.

• Laboratory tests: These tests are essential to diagnosing STDs and involve analyzing samples of bodily fluids from the genital area. This includes blood, urine, and swabs from the infected part of the body.

• Rapid tests: Some STDs require rapid, on-site diagnosis with testing that produces immediate results. This usually includes a swab test and may be used for more severe cases like HIV.

• Partner notification and testing: In most cases, your health care provider may suggest notifying your partner if you’ve been diagnosed with an STD. This is meant to encourage them to also get tested to identify and treat an infection before it spreads.

Where Can You Learn More About STDs and Other Diseases?

If you suspect that you have an STD or are concerned about any of your symptoms, you can speak to a board-certified physician or nurse from the comfort of your home.

Head over to LifeMD to make a telehealth appointment today.

Jarrod Nero, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Jarrod, a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, earned his B.S. in Nursing from William Carey University and an M. S. in Family Health Nursing from the Southern University of Baton Rouge. He lives in New Orleans with his partner and son.

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