Can an STD Cause Diarrhea?
Diarrhea isn't a symptom most people associate with STDs, but a genuine connection exists, mostly tied to anal sex and a cluster of infections sometimes grouped under the term "gay bowel syndrome" (an older, somewhat imprecise term still occasionally used clinically).
What's actually connected
Certain infections transmitted through anal sex — including some strains of chlamydia (specifically lymphogranuloma venereum, a more invasive chlamydia variant), and some parasitic and bacterial infections like giardia, shigella, and amoebiasis that can spread through oral-anal contact — can cause gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea, cramping, and rectal pain or discharge. These aren't the "classic" STDs most people think of, but they're real, and they're relevant if diarrhea shows up alongside a recent history of anal or oral-anal sexual contact.
What's more likely if diarrhea is your main symptom
Standard food-borne illness, a stomach virus, or a dietary trigger are far more common explanations for diarrhea generally, unrelated to sexual activity. The distinguishing detail is context: diarrhea that started around the same time as recent anal or oral-anal contact, especially alongside rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding, is worth mentioning specifically to a doctor rather than assuming it's an ordinary stomach bug.
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