Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)
It is not just people who have a lot of sexual partners who get a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Anyone who has sex without a condom, or who may have used a condom incorrectly, can catch an STI. To find out how to use a condom click here.
STIs can be passed on though vaginal, anal and oral sexual intercourse, as well as through genital contact with someone who is already infected. The most common STIs in the UK are chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhoea. Other STIs include herpes and genital warts.
Like most other infections, STIs can be avoided fairly easily. The most important preventive technique is to use a condom when you are having any sort of penetrative sex. And if you or your partner have any concerns about STIs – from avoiding them to getting them and treating them - you should talk to a medical professional, preferably one that specialises in STIs and other sexual health concerns.
If you have any suspicion that you may have an STI, you should consult a medical professional as soon as possible. The longer you leave it, the worse the infection may become. Common symptoms of having contracted an STI include swelling or redness around the penis, unusual discharge from the penis, and or pains in the lower abdomen.
Symptoms Of Specific STIs
Chlamydia
Symptoms of Chlamydia commonly include a discharge from the penis, and inflammation of the tube leading from the bladder to the tip of the penis, or of the tube leading from the testicles to the penis. The discomfort may pass, but the infection can still be passed on. (Chlamydia may not have any symptoms in women, although it may include cystitis, a change in vaginal discharge or mild lower abdominal pain).
Syphilis
Symptoms of syphilis usually start with a sore on the penis. After six month or so this may follow with flu-like symptoms such as aching and shivering.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea can affect the genitals, the anus and the throat. In men, the symptoms may include a water-like discharge from the tip of the penis that may look yellow in colour, and pain when urinating.
Herpes
Herpes – also referred to as genital herpes – often has no symptoms, and can remain undetected for many months. Eventually, symptoms may include an itchiness or burning sensation around the genitals, small blisters on the penis, pain when urinating, and flu-like symptoms.
Genital Warts
You can have the virus that results in genital warts, without having any symptoms. However if there are any symptoms, they will include having small white spots or lumps on the anus.
Other STIs include non-specific urethritis, trichomoniasis and thrush. The first only affects men and causes discomfort in the tube that leads from the bladder to the end of the penis, and also urethral discharge. Men rarely show symptoms on trichomoniasis, but if infected their female partners may experience soreness in and around the vagina and a green discharge. Symptoms of thrush include aggressive itching around the penis, with a thick white discharge and very small white spots around the genitals.
What should I do if I think I have an STI?
You may be embarrassed, or angry, or worried if you think you have caught an STI. Concentrate on the last one, and have that worry addressed by getting an STI test. The vast majority of STIs can be treated with a basic course of antibiotics or other simple interventions such as administering creams to the infected areas.
There are a lot of myths about STIs – you only get them if you sleep around, they cure themselves, people will judge you, she slept with someone else and infected me etc. Whatever other people may say or think, the smart thing to do is to avoid infection by using a condom, and getting a test if you think you may be infected. That way you can know what to do, rather than worry about not doing it.
If in any doubt, get checked out. Left untreated for a long time some STIs can result in infertility, and other long-lasting physical damage.
STI Tests and Treatment by post: A new bpas service
bpas provides an entirely confidential service whereby men (and women) can be tested and treated for common STIs from the comfort of their own homes. It works like this. You log onto our site, we send you a sample bottle, or swab in a discreet unmarked envelope. You send us the sample back, and three days later you can log onto the site with a password and check the results of our tests for STIs on your samples.
Then – depending on the test result – you can seek advice about how to treat STIs, including in many cases receiving treatment by post.
You will also get some advice about how to avoid them in the future. More...
