Sex and gender exist on a spectrum. This article uses the terms “female” and “male” to refer to sex that was assigned at birth.
Learn more about the difference between sex and gender here.
The term STD refers to any one of the 35 or more infectious organisms that spread through sexual activity.
STDs are very common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were around
Many people commonly refer to STDs as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Both terms describe conditions that develop from organisms that spread through sexual activity.
Person-to-person transmission of STDs typically occurs through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Many people who have an STD do not experience any symptoms. However, transmission to someone else is still possible.
Without treatment, some STDs can lead to serious complications like infertility.
This is why it is important to get regular testing for STDs and use safe sexual practices, like using a barrier method every time you have sex, to help prevent transmission.
Learn 8 surprising facts about STDs.
Gonorrhea is a very common STD, especially among those
Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of developing gonorrhea. Regular testing, at least once a year, can help you prevent transmission to others. If you have multiple sexual partners, you are at a higher risk of developing gonorrhea or other STDs.
Symptoms
Oftentimes, people with gonorrhea do not experience any symptoms.
Females who do experience symptoms can often mistake them for a bladder or vaginal infection, as they tend to be mild. They may experience:
- pain or burning while urinating
- increased vaginal discharge
- vaginal bleeding between periods
- sore throat, in cases of pharyngeal gonorrhea
Males who experience symptoms may notice:
- burning sensation when urinating
- white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis
- painful or swollen testicles, though this is less common
- sore throat, in cases of pharyngeal gonorrhea
Rectal infections from gonorrhea may include symptoms like:
- discharge
- itching
- soreness
- bleeding
- painful bowel movements
Since gonorrhea may not have any symptoms, it is important to get regular testing, especially if you think you may have had exposure to the infection. Untreated gonorrhea can lead to complications like pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.
Treatment
Treatment for gonorrhea is a course of antibiotics. It is important to complete the full cycle of antibiotics that your doctor prescribes. Another treatment is a one-time intramuscular injection given in your doctor’s office.
Abstaining from sex during this period and for
If you have had gonorrhea before, you can still get it again if you have sex without a barrier method with someone who has it.
Chlamydia is a
If you are sexually active, you are at risk of developing chlamydia. It is important to get regular testing, at least once a year, in order to help prevent transmission to others.
If you have multiple sexual partners, using a barrier method every time you have sex can also lower your risk of contracting the virus and prevent transmission to others.
Symptoms
Chlamydia commonly has no symptoms. However, it can still spread to others and it can cause damage to the female reproductive system.
If you do experience symptoms, they may not occur for several weeks after your exposure to chlamydia.
Symptoms in females may include:
- unusual vaginal discharge
- burning sensation when urinating
Symptoms in males may include:
- discharge from your penis
- burning sensation when you urinate
- painful and swollen testicles, though this is less common
Rectal symptoms of chlamydia may include:
- rectal pain
- bleeding
- discharge
Treatment
Treatment for chlamydia typically consists of oral antibiotics. It is important that you take all the medication your doctor prescribes for you.
It is also important to abstain from sex for
Reinfection is common with chlamydia. Talk with any sexual partners about receiving testing or treatment for chlamydia.
HPV is the most common STD in the U.S. In 2018, the CDC reported
As with other STDs, HPV spreads through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Most commonly, however, transmission occurs through vaginal and anal sex.
Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV. You may not notice any symptoms for years after infection.
The HPV vaccine can help prevent you from contracting HPV and prevent transmission to others.
Symptoms
HPV does not generally have any symptoms. Most people with HPV do not know they have it. Even without symptoms, transmission to others is possible.
HPV can lead to other health complications, such as genital warts and cervical cancer.
Some females discover they have HPV during a routine Pap test screening. Other people do not know until they undergo testing for a different condition.
Treatment
There is no treatment for HPV itself. However, treatment is typically available for the conditions that can develop from HPV infection, particularly with early detection.
Speak with your doctor about your individual HPV results and available treatment options.
Syphilis is an STD that can cause serious health issues without treatment. Syphilis develops in stages that include:
- primary
- secondary
- latent
- tertiary
Syphilis spreads through contact with infected sores during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Anyone who is sexually active can develop syphilis.
If you have multiple sexual partners, it is important to use a barrier method every time you have sex to prevent the spread of syphilis.
Symptoms
Each stage of syphilis has its own symptoms.
The symptoms for the primary stage include sores that develop in the following areas:
- penis
- vagina
- anus
- rectum
- lips
- mouth
The symptoms of the secondary stage include a rash that may occur on your palms or the bottoms of your feet. The rash may appear:
- rough
- red
- reddish-brown
Other symptoms of this stage may include:
- fever
- swelling in your lymph glands
- sore throat
- hair loss
- headaches
- muscle aches
- weight loss
- fatigue
The latent stage is a period of time when you experience no visible symptoms. Most people with syphilis will not experience the tertiary stage. However, for those who do, it typically affects the:
- blood vessels
- brain
- nervous system
You may not experience the tertiary stage for
Treatment
You can treat syphilis with antibiotics, such as an intramuscular injection of penicillin. It is important to get treatment as soon as possible as untreated syphilis can lead to serious health issues.
Trichomoniasis (trich) is a common STD, especially among females.
The CDC estimates that there were
Trich is spread through sex without a barrier method. It is due to a parasite that spreads during sex from penis to vagina, vagina to penis, or vagina to vagina.
Symptoms
The majority of people with trich do not experience any symptoms at all. When symptoms are present, they typically range from mild to severe.
Females who experience symptoms may notice:
- itching, burning, redness, or swelling of the genitals
- discomfort when urinating
- clear, white, yellow, or green discharge with a fishy smell
Males may experience symptoms that include:
- itching and irritation inside the penis
- burning sensation after urinating or ejaculating
- discharge
Treatment
Trich is very common and treatable. Typical treatment is a medication that your doctor can prescribe for you.
Reinfection with trich is also very common. About
Abstain from having sex until you and your partner have both completed treatment for trich.
There are many infections and diseases that spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Other STDs include:
- genital warts
- genital herpes
- pubic lice (crabs)
- HIV
- hepatitis B
- other types of hepatitis
Learn 4 discreet ways to get tested for STDs.
If you are sexually active, you are at risk of developing an STD. There are certain factors that can increase your risk, however.
These risk factors include:
- being younger than 25 years old
- having multiple sexual partners
- having sex with someone who has an STD
- not using barrier methods when having sex, especially with new and multiple partners
The only sure way to prevent an STD is not to have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. However, there are ways you can decrease your risk of developing an STD if you are sexually active.
Tips to help prevent STDs
- Be in a monogamous sexual relationship with someone who does not have an STD.
- Use a barrier method every time you have sex, especially with new and multiple partners.
- Get regularly testing for STDs.
- Get the HPV vaccine.
- Take PrEP medication to help prevent HIV infection.
STDs are very common. If you are sexually active, you are at risk of developing an STD.
You can decrease your risk of developing an STD by using barrier methods when you have sex, getting regular testing, and making sure your partners have testing as well.
Most STDs are treatable. However, many do not typically have any symptoms. If you feel you may have had exposure to an STD or are experiencing symptoms like burning when urinating and unusual discharge, contact your doctor.
