Sexually transmitted diseases are diseases that are transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse. The diseases are actually caused by bacterial, viral or parasitic infections and could be transmitted through blood, sperm or other body fluids.

Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Reported by Healthline, here are the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases that you can experience: 

• Pain or discomfort that arises when urinating or during sexual intercourse
• Sores, ulcers, bumps, or redness in the area around genital, anal, buttocks, thighs, or mouth
• Abnormal blood, pus or fluid discharge that comes out of the penis or vagina
• Unusual bleeding after sexual intercourse
• Men may feel pain or swelling in their testicles
• Vaginal pruritus
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Weight loss, etc.

Types Of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Chlamydia

One of the most commonly reported sexually transmitted diseases is chlamydia. This bacterial infection is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and sometimes people don't realize that they have been infected, until they experience symptoms such as the following:

• Pain during sexual intercourse or urinating
• White, yellowish or gray discharge from the genitals
• Lower abdominal or pelvic pain 

If this disease is not treated immediately, they can cause complications such as prostate gland infection, epididymitis, pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Because it is a bacterial infekction, chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics.

Sifilis

Sifilis is bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum. The initial symptoms are round and painless sores or ulcers, with well-defined borders in the body. A few weeks after this wound heals, reddish or browny-red rash, fatigue, fever and muscle aches may appear.

If left untreated, syphilis can affect various organs in the body. Years after the first untreated syphilis infection, there can be complications such as impaired vision or hearing, nerve infections, heart disease and even death. Syphilis can be treated by administering certain antibiotics, depending on the stage of syphilis suffered.

Gonorrhea

This bacterial infection is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, it is characterized by abnormal penis or vaginal discharge which may be white, yellow, to green in color. In addition, patients can also experience symptoms such as discomfort and pain during sexual intercourse or urination. Symptoms may appear about 1 week after infection.

Pregnant women infected with gonorrhea can pass the infection to the newborn during normal delivery, and the baby can develop a condition called gonorrheal conjunctivitis. Gonorrhea is usually treated with antibiotics.

Trichomoniasis

This disease occurs due to parasitic infection of Trichomonas vaginal which is transmitted through contact with infected individuals, generally through unprotected sexual activities. This disease is characterized by symptoms such as lots of abnormal genital discharge with unpleasant odor, with white, gray, yellow or green discharge in color, burning and itching sensation in genital organs, pain and discomfort when urinating or having sexual intercourses, and lower abdominal pain. 

HIV/AIDS

HIV is a sexually transmitted disease that claims many lives and attacks the immune system. If it's not treated immediately, this disease can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) and increase their risks of being infected with other viruses or other bacteria. 

Some of the symptoms that usually appear for the first time in HIV patients are similar to flu symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches, reddish skin rash, lymph node swelling, or night sweats. Rapid weight loss, severe fatigue, and various infections can be experienced in people with AIDS.

Until now, there has not been found powerful medicines to cure HIV. However, with routine and disciplined treatment, all the symptoms can be alleviated.

Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The best way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases is to avoid sexual contacts. However, there are several ways to practice safe sexual intercouse and reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, namely:

• Communicating openly with your partner about each others' sexual histories before having any sexual activity
• Only having sex with one partner who is not infected
• Get tested regularly for sexually transmitted diseases with your partner
• Use condoms if you have sexual intercourse as a measure to prevent sexually transmitted diseases that can spread through genital fluid
• Consider getting vaccinated against HPV and hepatitis
• Don't drink alcohol excessively or use illegal drugs because it can increase your chances to take sexual risks

If there are only one of the symptoms experienced above, then what must be done is to get medical treatment at the hospital. Don't let the symptoms get worse.

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