Would you know if you have an std

How do you know if you have an STI? 

The short answer is, you don't.

Some STIs have symptoms, and you’ll probably know pretty quickly that something isn’t quite right… the itchy bumps, the pain when you wee, or the unusual discharge are usually clear giveaways.

But, did you know that many STIs have no symptoms at all?

This means that although you might not notice anything different going on, you could have a sexually transmissible infection.

If you feel healthy and aren’t having any trouble, it’s pretty easy to forget all about getting an STI check. It’s for this reason that people can go for months, or even years, without realising they have an STI.

The only way you can be sure that you don’t have an STI, is to get tested.

Ask yourself:

What STIs don’t have symptoms?

STIs that often don’t have any symptoms are:

• Chlamydia
• Genital herpes
• Gonorrhoea
• Trichomoniasis
• Non-specific urethritis
• Hepatitis A, B and C
• HIV.

What happens if I have an STI and don’t realise?

If you have an STI and don’t know about it, anyone you’ve had unprotected sex with could also be at risk of getting the STI.

Leaving STIs untreated can also lead to more serious health problems later in life. It can cause infertility, increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and ectopic pregnancy, prostate, bladder and urethra issues and can raise the risk of contracting other STIs.

So what should I do?

Know when to get tested. If in doubt, make an appointment to book a test. Protect yourself from STIs and use a condom every time you have sex – even if you or your sexual partner is using other contraception, like the pill, IUD, injections or implant.

Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD on March 27, 2020. Written by Jordana White. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.

Read more: What are the first signs of an STD? | Do I have a female STD? | What are the odds of getting an STD? | Do STDs go away by themselves?

If you’re a sexually active woman, it’s important to be aware of sexually transmitted diseases or STDs (also known as sexually transmitted infections or STIs). It’s key to use protection every time you engage in sexual activity with a new partner (with you or your partner wearing a condom, for example), or with any sexual partner who hasn’t been tested for sexually transmitted infections. Completing an STD screening after each new sexual partner is a good idea if you want to ensure that you do not have any untreated STDs.

Of course, it’s also important to learn about the different types of STDs that men and women can get and how to know if you have a common STD.

Wondering how to get tested for STDs easily? The Everlywell at-home STD testing option can tell you whether you have chlamydia or other common STDs without having to go to a clinic for an in-person STD screening.

Here, we’ll walk you through the symptoms of STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea. We’ll also give you suggestions on what to do if you think you have an STD, but remember: it’s always a good idea to seek the advice of your healthcare provider as soon as possible when you have any potential signs you have an STD.

How to know if I have an STD: the first signs

Even if you have a sexually transmitted infection, you may not display any STI symptoms. In fact, up to 70% of women and 90% of men with chlamydia never develop STI symptoms. As a result, you can easily contract an STD without realizing it. For this reason, it’s important to know how women get chlamydia (and other STDs) in the first place. Taking the Everlywell at-home STD Test for women can help you determine if you have chlamydia or other common STDs.

That being said, many people with STDs develop symptoms. These symptoms tend to fall into one or more of these categories:

• Physical pain
• Discharge
• Bumps and genital warts
• Other body ailments

Every infection comes with different symptoms, and every person will experience these infections in a unique way.

Do I have a female STD?

How do you know if you have an STD? You may have an STD if you’re experiencing the symptoms described below—but keep in mind that testing is the only way to know for sure.

Physical pain

If you have a symptomatic chlamydia infection, you may experience painful urination, as well as pain in your lower abdomen. Sexual intercourse might also be painful.

The same is true for gonorrhea. Women with gonorrhea may experience painful urination and painful bowel movements. With Hepatitis A, B, and C, you could also develop abdominal, muscle, and joint pain.

STDs can also result in visible signs and symptoms. For women, one of those telltale STD symptoms is changes in your vaginal discharge.

Discharge

Throughout your monthly cycle, you will see natural, healthy changes in the discharge from your vagina. It may be clear and thin, or thicker and more noticeable, depending on when you ovulate. All of these variations are completely normal.

If your discharge is thick and white, however, this could indicate a health problem, such as a yeast infection. But if your discharge is yellow or green or if it smells bad and has a frothy appearance, you could be dealing with one of three STDs: trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia. All of these infections cause changes in your vagina’s microflora, which can affect vaginal discharges.

Microflora are the helpful bacteria that naturally reside in your vagina. When healthy, they can help fight off infections. But they aren’t invincible, and when they undergo changes due to infections, your discharge may be noticeably different.

If your discharge is abnormal, consider taking an at-home STD test to screen for common STDs.

Bumps and genital warts

The appearance of bumps on the lips, or labia, of your vagina can indicate a sexually transmitted infection. If you have contracted the herpes simplex virus and now have genital herpes, you may develop clusters of red bumps around your vagina. Without treatment, they can turn into blisters that can rupture or leak blood or fluid, which can make urination painful.

Another STD that causes new bumps to appear on your body is syphilis. One of the first symptoms of syphilis is a firm, round sore in your genital area. Called a chancre, it doesn’t typically hurt, but it may appear to be open or wet.

If you notice this symptom, talk with your healthcare provider and consider getting tested immediately. Syphilis is highly contagious and, over time, can cause serious complications such as organ and brain damage if left untreated. You should never ignore these types of sores.

Other ailments

Some STIs won’t cause visible changes in your body, but will cause you to feel “off” or different. When first infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), you may experience flu-like symptoms, such as a sore throat, night sweats, or even vomiting and diarrhea. In the secondary stages of syphilis, you may develop a rash on your body, and you could experience hair loss.

If you contract pubic lice, also known as crabs, you’ll experience intense itching in your pelvic area. You may also notice eggs or lice in your pubic hair.

All of these could be signs or symptoms of an STD, so talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns. STD testing for men and women, which you can do from the comfort and privacy of home, is another good step to take.

What are the odds of getting an STD?

Sexually transmitted infections are primarily transmitted through unprotected sex. This could be in the form of vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and—for some infections—even hand-to-genital contact. For this reason, if you use protection during sexual intercourse, your odds of getting an STD will be much lower.

Your risk for STIs will be even lower if you regularly check your status and test for STDs (along with your sex partner) before beginning any new sexual relationship.

But without proper testing and precautions, your chances of getting an STD may be fairly high. In fact, according to the CDC, 25% of young women between the ages of 14 and 19 have at least one of the following common infections: HPV, herpes, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis.

Do STDs go away by themselves?

You may be wondering what to do next if you test positive for an STD. Do these infections go away on their own, or will you need to seek treatment? Here’s the deal: almost all STDs will not clear up without medical intervention. If your STD test returns a positive result, you will need to follow the advice of your healthcare provider to protect your sexual health.

Fortunately, many STDs will clear up with a simple course of oral antibiotics. Bacterial infections such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis can all be cured with antibiotics. It is crucial, however, to complete the entire course of medication in order to truly clear up your infection. If you stop taking your medication early, even if your STD symptoms have resolved, the infection could remain in your body.

Other STIs, like hepatitis C, can be cured with some prescription medications if treated early. Hepatitis B, on the other hand, can’t be cured. The disease can only be managed with prescription medication. There is, however, a Hepatitis B vaccine. Similarly, HPV can’t be cured, but you can get vaccinated for it.

Finally, some STIs, such as herpes and HIV, have no cure or protective vaccine. Thankfully, you can manage herpes outbreaks with prescription medication, and antiretroviral drugs can help manage an HIV infection.

Contracting an STD is potentially damaging to your long-term health. If you become infected, follow the advice of your healthcare provider. But the best way to protect your health is to avoid getting infected in the first place. The best way to not get infected is to practice safe sex and do preventative STD testing.

Related content

STDs in Women

How do women get chlamydia?

What are the different types of STDs that men and women can get?

What Do STD Discharges Look Like?

7 Health Tips For Women’s Health Week

References

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5. Lang CA, Conrad S, Garrett L, et al. Symptom prevalence and clustering of symptoms in people living with chronic hepatitis C infection. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2006;31(4):335–344. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2005.08.016

6. Bishop GB. Vaginal Discharge. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, eds. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston, MA. Butterworths; 1990. URL. Accessed March 27, 2020.

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12. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Mayo Clinic. URL. Accessed March 27, 2020.

13. Hepatitis C. Mayo Clinic. URL. Accessed March 27, 2020.

14. Hepatitis B. Mayo Clinic. URL. Accessed March 27, 2020.

15. Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. World Health Organization. URL. Accessed March 27, 2020.

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