Common STD Signs & Symptoms Everyone Needs to Know

Have you noticed a strange rash that won’t stop itching no matter what you do? Do you try to avoid using the toilet because it hurts to pee? If so, there’s a chance you may have an STD.

Sexually transmitted infections are nothing to be ashamed of, and in fact, they’re incredibly common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported more than 2.5 million cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis in 2021 alone, indicating that sexually transmitted infections are steadily on the rise.

STD signs and symptoms can be tricky to understand because many mimic other conditions, such as the flu. Some STDs have no symptoms, or when they do show up, it’s only after the infection has progressed so much that it’s very difficult to treat.

Below, you’ll learn about the signs and symptoms of some of the most common STDs.

Understanding STDs

STDs number in the dozens, but some are more common than others. Here, we’ll discuss a few types, including STDs that cause frequent urination.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is caused by bacteria that spread to your genital tract. It can spread from one partner to another via sexual activities such as vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can also spread when an infected person shares sex toys with someone else. Pregnant women can transfer the chlamydia bacteria to their babies during birth, too.

It’s easy to cure chlamydia with antibiotics, but if left untreated, it could cause infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and pelvic inflammatory disease.

Gonorrhea

Similar to chlamydia, gonorrhea is also caused by bacteria mainly found in vaginal fluid and semen. Gonorrhea is curable but can also be insidious because many people don’t know they have it. Rectal, anal, and throat gonorrhea infections have no symptoms about 90% of the time.

Oral and Genital Herpes

Different variants of the herpes simplex virus cause oral and genital herpes. Herpes is extremely common, and it doesn’t always cause symptoms. Many people with herpes have no idea they’re carriers of the virus.

Herpes isn’t fatal and doesn’t cause any long-term health damage. However, it spreads very easily, and if you do have an outbreak, the symptoms can be quite uncomfortable.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is a group of more than 200 similar viruses, some of which can spread through sexual contact. According to the CDC, HPV is the most common STD, and more than 570,000 people aged 14 to 49 contracted the virus in 2018 alone.

HPV usually goes away on its own, but if it doesn’t, it can cause genital warts and even cancer.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis, more often simply called trich, is a parasite that mainly spreads between people who have sex without a condom. Trich hasn’t been shown to spread via anal or oral sex.

In men, the trich parasite can infect the urethra or prostate gland. Trich mostly affects the vagina and urethra in women.

Five Common Signs of STDs

Are you wondering what STD signs and symptoms to look out for? Symptoms can vary dramatically depending on the STD, but quite a few sexually transmitted infections have similar symptoms.

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, consider ordering same-day STD testing from us at Rapid STD Testing.

Unusual Discharge From the Penis or Vagina

If you’re a woman, it’s normal to have a bit of vaginal discharge every now and then. But discharge that’s yellow, green, cloudy, or foul-smelling could indicate that something’s wrong.

Trich is one STD that’s known to cause yellowish or green discharge. It may also be frothy or have a fishy smell.

If you have chlamydia, yellowish vaginal discharge and painful urination may be the only symptoms you notice. Gonorrhea may present green or yellow discharge as well.

All three STDs can cause discharge in men. If you’re infected, you might see white, yellow, or green discharge from the tip of your penis.

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain mainly affects women when an STD spreads to their ovaries, uterus, or fallopian tubes. When this happens, the STD can cause an infection called pelvic inflammatory disease.

If infected, you may experience pain while urinating, having a bowel movement, or having sex.

Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and all types of hepatitis have been known to cause abdominal pain. Syphilis and late-stage HIV can also cause pain in the abdomen, but this is rarer.

Flu-Like Symptoms

If you suddenly come down with a fever, chills, and muscle aches, you’re probably going to think you’ve got the flu, not an STD. The following STDs can mimic cold and flu symptoms:

• Herpes
• Syphilis
• HIV/AIDS
• Hepatitis B
• Throat gonorrhea

If you do have the flu, those symptoms should clear up on their own. If you’re not feeling any better after a couple of weeks, though, you might want to consider ordering a rapid STD test from us or your doctor to explore other possibilities. 

Itching

Itchiness is a common symptom of many STDs. It’s normal to feel a little itchy sometimes, but if you’re constantly scratching your genital area so much that you bleed, you should get yourself tested for STDs.

Trich is known to cause itching in women and men. Men experience itching around the penis, while women experience it near the vagina.

Gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause itching around the genitals and anus. HPV doesn’t often have symptoms, but itching can be one of them.

Genital herpes may lead to itching if you develop blisters or sores. These sores can be quite painful and itch a lot as they heal.

Bleeding

The following STDs can cause heavy periods and spotting between periods:

• Trich
• Herpes
• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydia
• Pelvic inflammatory disease

Gonorrhea and chlamydia, for example, may cause bleeding if the infection spreads to the cervix or uterus. Pelvic inflammatory disease can cause scar tissue to build up in your reproductive tract, which can interfere with proper blood flow and cause abnormally heavy periods.

When To Talk to a Doctor

If you recognize any of the above STD signs and symptoms, ask your doctor about a 10-panel STD test as soon as you can. The sooner you get yourself tested, the faster you can begin treatment. Many STDs are curable if you start treatment promptly. Left unchecked, though, they can do lasting damage and sometimes even become fatal.

Certain people should get tested for STDs even if they don’t notice symptoms. That’s because many STDs cause no symptoms for weeks, months, or even decades. By the time you do notice symptoms, it could be too late to do much about them.

People who should test for STDs regardless of symptoms include:

• Men who have sex with other men
• People who aren’t monogamous 
• Those who don’t use condoms consistently
• People who share needles with others (this includes drug needles, tattoo needles, and insulin needles)
• Women who are pregnant (some STDs can spread to the baby during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding)
• People who have HIV, which increases the risk of contracting other infections
• People who are considering having sex with a new partner

Experts recommend that non-monogamous people get tested for STDs every three to six months. If you’re in a monogamous relationship and have never had any STDs before, you can get by with testing for STDs just once a year.

Questions To Ask About STD Testing

Talking with your doctor about STD testing can be uncomfortable, but when your health is on the line, it’s important to speak up.

When visiting your doctor, ask them the following questions to get a clearer picture of your sexual health.

What test do I need?

It’s not always easy to know what test you need because many STDs have similar symptoms. Tell your doctor about your symptoms to help them figure out which test is best for you.

When should I get tested?

Some STDs don’t show up in your blood until several weeks after infection. If you test too early, your test could show a false negative result.

Will my insurance cover testing?

Many major insurance carriers will cover at least a few types of STD testing, but some won’t cover any. If cost is a concern, ask your doctor about insurance coverage before testing.

Get STD Testing at a Lab Near You

Experiencing STD signs and symptoms can be scary, but most STDs are easily treatable if you catch them early enough. If you’d rather skip the doctor's visit, you can order discreet STD testing from the privacy of your home. Once you’ve ordered, head to one of our nearby labs to get tested, and you’ll have the results in two days or less.

To order your test or find out more about how STD testing works, call us at (866) 872-1888 today.