Most men can tell when they have an STI because there are usually clear signs. Women, however, often have an STI without knowing it, because there are often no signs that they have the disease. Sometimes only an experienced and trained health care provider can find signs of an STI in a woman. This is especially true during pregnancy, when many STI symptoms (for example, an increase in the amount of fluid produced in the vagina) are mistaken for side effects of pregnancy.
Sometimes it is necessary to examine samples of a woman’s blood or vaginal discharge to find out if she has an STI, and which type of STI she has. For this reason, it is important to recognize the symptoms of an STI and to visit a doctor as soon as possible if you see any of the signs or suspect that you have been exposed to an STI.
Risk factors for STIs include:
- Having a partner with an STI
- Having more than one partner
- Having had a new partner during the last three months
- Suspecting a partner has other partners
Many STIs can be cured or treated. A health provider will give medicine to a person who has been diagnosed with an STI. It is essential that a person with an STI finish all the medicines that the health worker gives and abstain from sexual activity or have protected sex until the health worker says they are cured. If a person finds out that they have an STI, they should also make sure that their partner (or partners) goes for treatment.
Any of the following may be a sign or symptom for a person who has had sexual intercourse that she or he may have an STI and should consult a doctor or clinic:
- Redness or soreness of the genitals (sign)
- Pain at urination or cloudy or strong-smelling urine (symptom)
- A sore or blisters on or around the genitals, near the anus, or inside the mouth (sign)
- Excessive itching or a rash (sign)
- Abdominal cramping/pain (symptom)
- A slight fever and an overall sick feeling (symptom)
- A sexual partner with signs or symptoms
Note: Both men and women can have an STI without physical symptoms. However, women are more likely to be symptom free. The complications from STIs are more severe in women than in men.