Any disease you can contact from having sex are grouped under sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If you are sexually active, chances are you’ve had a sexually transmitted disease, whether you realize it or not. Not all STDs are noticeable, particularly the common STDs—they are often symptomless. That’s why it’s important that you and partner get tested every once in a while as this is the only way to stay protected.
Not making substantial efforts to prevent these diseases or adequately treat them when they arise are one of the reasons why these STDs have become rampant. Being a disease that can only be transmitted when you get up close and personal with someone, it shouldn’t be as common as it currently is. Hopefully, getting enlightened about these common STDs and their symptoms will help you take better precautions.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Due to the fact that many types of HPV come with no symptoms and often leave the body without any treatment, you may contact this disease and have no idea that it’s present in your body. HPV is the most common STD that almost every sexually active person may contact at some point in their life. You can develop this disease from oral, vaginal or anal sex and even through any skin-to-skin contact.
HPV can often cause symptoms that include genital warts and bumps around the genital area. The disease can also lead to cancer of the penis, cervix, mouth or throat. Going for routine screening is the best way to discover HPV or its symptoms. Using latex condoms and sticking to one sexual partner are steps in the right direction where this disease is concerned.
Chlamydia
Not everyone who contacts Chlamydia will experience its associated symptoms—a reason why it’s also a very common STD. If you do notice a strange discharge from your penis or vagina or peeing comes with a painful or burning feeling for you, go for screening and treatment immediately. Chlamydia is usually treated with antibiotics because it is caused by bacteria. Latex condoms do a good job in preventing the disease.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is another common STD that often goes hand-in-hand with chlamydia. It is also caused by bacteria and can be treated with antibiotics. The symptoms you may experience if you have gonorrhea are similar to those of chlamydia: odd discharge from the reproductive organs (yellow, white or green for men) or burning or pain when you pee. Leaving gonorrhea untreated makes you more vulnerable to HIV and may cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women.
Syphilis
You can develop syphilis when your skin comes in direct contact with infected skin. If while having sex, any part of your body touches the syphilis sores in the mouth, rectum, vaginal or external genitals of your partner, you may develop the disease. At the initial stage of syphilis, small painless sores may erupt on your skin. These sores are often ignored because they sometimes take the form of a harmless bump, a cut or an ingrown hair. And their disappearance often causes people to think that the disease is gone, not knowing that the disease has just entered another stage that’s not easy to detect or treat. If you don’t treat syphilis as soon as you suspect its existence, you may live with it all your life.
Herpes
Herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease that cannot be cured because it is caused by a virus and not bacteria. However, you can manage the disease with proper medication. The major symptom you may experience if you have herpes is painful blisters around your vagina, penis or anus. You’re more susceptible to contracting herpes if you have blisters on your skin. Although even without blisters, you may still catch the virus from direct skin contact.
