Detecting Symptoms of STD’s In Women
With the availability of free condoms in schools and neighborhood clinics, along with increased education, sexually transmitted diseases are still a rising problem. STD’s can be transmitted via semen or saliva. The most common diseases are genital/oral herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. HIV is also spread the same way. When it comes to detecting an STD, symptoms will differ in men and women. This article is to help women identify the symptoms of an STD.
Of all the sexually transmitted diseases, chlamydia is diagnosed the most often; however, because symptoms hardly show, it can be left untreated for a long time. An estimated 75% of women do not have any symptoms once infected. Though side effects are mostly silent, there are a few signs that you may have the bacteria inside you. Signs of infection can include
- Painful Urination
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
Treatment is possible, but without it can lead to infertility.
Like chlamydia, gonorrhea also has sometimes silent symptoms. When symptoms do begin to occur, it is usually within ten days of exposure. Symptoms are similar to that of the flu. If left untreated in women, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. One of the most serious STD’s to contract is syphilis. Syphilis is sores that can be found near the vulva, cervix, or rectum. There are four stages of syphilis, which are the primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary stages. Untreated syphilis can eventually lead to other life-threatening conditions such as blindness and dementia.
A commonly transmitted disease is genital herpes. There are often no symptoms, and if there are, they are generally confused with something else. Herpes is most widely blisters or lesions located near the vulva and upper thighs. Less experience symptoms are itching and burning. Oral herpes are contracted through oral sex. Symptoms usually are confused with cold sores and cannot be treated with over the counter medications.
If you are sexually active and have never been tested, do so now. If you are sexually active, it is safe to be tested between partners. Depending on the STD being tested will determine the method of testing. Both chlamydia and gonorrhea require urine and syphilis, herpes, and Hepatitis A, B, and C, along with HIV, are tested using a sample of your blood. Most results can take up to a week to process. Some clinics, such as Planned Parenthood, have devices that will let you know if you are HIV positive in sixty seconds. Keep in mind that regular testing is key to a long, healthy life.
You can also look into various other options to get a check for STD; online resource is one of the easiest ways to get test yourself or your partners. STD Check is one of the sites which has access to more than 4000 labs and provides accurate results you can rely on.