Signs You May Have an STD

• comments
• 
• 

(Photo : Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition via Unsplash)

Talking about symptoms when you're discussing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be more than a bit complicated. Many symptoms that are associated with these maladies might also be something else entirely. Also, many people who have an STD might not have any symptoms at all, and this means they may not even know they have it. That said, there are certain specific symptoms that are attached to each parasitic, bacterial, or viral infection that are contained in the larger category called STDs. It's good to know what these are so that if you have one or more, you can find treatment. 

Pelvic Pain

This can be caused by quite a few things. One of the main culprits, however, is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). This is a condition where your reproductive organs become infected. The infection is typically caused by one of the bacterial STDs, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. That said, you can also get this from an unclean insertion of an IUD. If your pelvis isn't feeling right, you might want to try an at home STD test. If that's positive, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Flu-Like Symptoms

If you're feeling flu-ish, with fatigue, achiness, headache, chills, and/or fever, but it's happening a few weeks after having sex, those icky feelings might actually be your body trying to fight off a sexual superbug that's more than just gonorrhea. Some people who get infected with HIV actually get something known as acute HIV. This feels like influenza. Another condition that comes with these feelings is Hepatitis-C but with that, you may also have jaundice-type symptoms, such as the yellowing of the whites of your eyes and your skin, your pee might be darker, you may also feel nauseous and have itchy skin. 

Painful Urination

A lot of people notice something's not right down there when it hurts to pee. STDs that might cause this include trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. If you're having this feeling, talk to your doctor. It might not be anything to do with an STD, but even so, it's likely still something that'll need to be treated (like a UTI - urinary tract infection).

Sex Hurts

You might not experience pain when you pee, but if you do when you're having sex, this is another sign that you may have contracted an STD. Human papillomavirus, aka genital warts (HPV), trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia can all cause this particular symptom. If all of a sudden you're experiencing pain during sex, talk to your doctor. Even if it isn't an STD, there are a number of other things it could be, from vulvodynia to endometriosis. The best thing to do in this case is to schedule an exam.

Red Genital Area

Often, redness equals irritation, and this is definitely a side effect of having an STD, among other things. Scabies is a rash featuring small red blisters and bumps with thin gray, brown, or red lines. If you notice this kind of redness, see your doctor as soon as you can.

Unfortunately, sometimes when you're as safe as can be, you might end up with an STD. Knowing what signs to look for is critical because the sooner you're aware that you've got an infection, the sooner you'll be able to get it treated - whether that might be a cure if what you have is curable, or medication that can manage any side effects and prevent it from being transmitted for the ones that there's currently no cure for. Just remember the only way to be sure you have one is to be tested.