Genital Ulcers: What Causes Them
A genital ulcer — an open sore, as opposed to a bump, blister, or rash — has a handful of specific STD causes, each with a somewhat distinctive presentation worth knowing.
The main causes and how to tell them apart
Herpes causes multiple small, painful ulcers, typically preceded by blistering, and often recurs over time. Syphilis causes a single, firm, painless ulcer (a chancre) during its primary stage — the lack of pain is a genuinely distinguishing feature compared to the others. Chancroid causes one or more painful, soft ulcers, often with tender swollen lymph nodes nearby.
Why accurate diagnosis matters here specifically
These three causes require different treatments, and visual appearance alone isn't always conclusive — a doctor typically confirms the specific cause through testing (a swab, blood test, or both) rather than relying on appearance alone. Any new genital ulcer is worth prompt medical evaluation regardless of which of these it might be, both to get the right treatment started and because open ulcers can also increase the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV if exposure occurs while one is present.
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