Venereal disease: symptoms and treatment. Symptoms and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases

For infection with venereal infections, it is enough just one unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner.

Unlike men, STD symptoms in women may be mild and in the absence of timely treatment they often pass into a latent latent phase, which is fraught with the development of severe complications. In addition, a woman during this period is not only a carrier, but also a distributor of a dangerous disease.

Another 20 years ago STD list were only "classic" venereal diseases - syphilis, gonorrhea, soft chancre, chlamydial and inguinal granuloma. Since 1993, this list has been replenished with all kinds of infections that can be transmitted through sexual contact, and today STIs include:

Syphilis;
Gonorrheal infection in men: anterior and posterior urethritis, epididymitis, prostatitis, vesiculitis; in women: urethritis, vulvitis, bartholinitis;
Shankroid;
Chlamydial lymphogranulomatosis;
Venereal granuloma;
Trichomoniasis;
Urogenital chlamydia;
Urogenital mycoplasmosis;
Urogenital candidiasis;
Ureaplasma infection;
Genital herpes;
HIV AIDS;
human papillomavirus (HPV);
Hepatitis B and C;
Phthiriasis is an infection with pubic lice.

STDs are common in all countries of the world and cause enormous social and economic damage. The remaining high rates of STIs are influenced by: low standard of living, prostitution, drug addiction, incomplete registration of cases, unprotected sex. The only way to prevent diseases is barrier contraception.

Most infections have pronounced symptoms, mainly in the genital area. Some of them may be asymptomatic for years Key words: hepatitis, HIV, HPV, genital herpes, CMVI. Consider the symptoms of each disease.

Disease	Symptoms	Incubation period
Syphilis	Stage 1. Round painless ulcer (chancre, syphiloma) in the perineum, swollen lymph nodes Stage 2. 6 to 7 weeks. The rash, represented by spots of the same size, mainly on the body and limbs, does not peel off and is not determined by touch. Stage 3. From 3 to 5 years (very rare). Infection of the skin, mucous membranes, bones, joints, organs of the nervous system, and other internal organs: heart, liver, lungs.	20 – 30 days
Gonorrhea	Pain at the beginning of urination, discharge with pus, blood, pain in the abdomen, sometimes an increase in body temperature up to 38 - 39 ° C	Up to 5 days
chancroid	An ulcer on the external genitalia, appearing on the 5th day of infection, painful on palpation and increasing in diameter. After 15 - 20 days, the growth process stops, after a couple of months, healing occurs. An ulcer forms on the labia, clitoris, around the rectum, on the skin of the thighs, on the pubis	Up to 5 days
Chlamydial lymphogranulomatosis	Stage 1. An ulcer in the vagina, on the labia, or on the cervix. Stage 2. Compaction, enlargement and soreness of the lymph nodes; at the site of the ulcer, the skin becomes thinner and breaks, there is a release of yellowish pus. Possible nausea, headaches, fever, chills Stage 3. The spleen and liver are enlarged, severe changes in the lymph nodes and nearby organs.	3 – 30 days
Venereal granuloma	Painless, indurated red papule the size of a pea on the labia or clitoris; in the mouth and nasal mucosa, on the body, face, hands. Elephantiasis of the labia, itching and purulent discharge from the ulcer, narrowing of the vagina.	The incubation period can last up to six months
Trichomoniasis	Liquid purulent, sometimes frothy discharge, accompanied by an unpleasant odor and itching of the perineum, pain during urination and during sexual contact	5 – 15 days
Urogenital chlamydia	Swelling and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the urethra, mucopurulent vaginal discharge, pain in the lower abdomen. Complications: inflammation of the uterus, its cervix and appendages, chlamydia of the rectum.	2 – 3 weeks
Urogenital mycoplasmosis	Against the background of mycoplasmosis, inflammatory processes of the genital organs develop: cervicitis, endometritis. Mycoplasma infection is diagnosed by laboratory methods. Complication - infertility	3 – 5 weeks
Urogenital candidiasis	Itching, inflammation and swelling in the perineum, whitish discharge, often thickened, sour smell, aggravated after sexual contact, irritation of the vaginal mucosa during urination and water ingress.	Up to 10 days
Ureaplasma	Symptoms are non-specific, characteristic of most inflammatory diseases: mucous discharge, abdominal pain, pain when emptying the bladder and during intercourse.	5 – 30 days
Genital herpes	Discomfort in the perineum (itching, soreness), then a rash appears in the form of small bubbles with a diameter of 2-3 mm, often accompanied by headache, fever up to 38.5 ° C, general malaise.	2 – 14 days
HPV	Genital warts in the perineum, in the perianal region, vulva, cervix	Several weeks to several months
Hepatitis B and C	Indigestion, general weakness of the body, the end result: liver damage	2 weeks to a year
Phthiriasis	Itching in the pubic region, bluish-bluish spots with a black dot in the center, formed at the site of the bite.	Up to 1 month
HIV	The acute stage in a small percentage of those infected, occurring 1 to 6 months after infection, resembles infectious mononucleosis in symptoms. Further, HIV goes into a dormant stage, which can last up to 6 years. After this period, there are diseases that develop against the background of immunodeficiency: herpes, candidal lesions of internal organs, CMVI, brain lymphoma, tuberculosis of internal organs, bacterial infections, etc.	1 month - 4-6 years

As you can see, many STIs have similar symptoms, therefore, it is possible to diagnose and differentiate an infection from other similar ones only by laboratory diagnostic methods: serological studies: ELISA, RPHA, RCA; bacteriological method, enzyme immunoassay, DNA diagnostics - PCR method.

Symptoms

The first symptom that indicates a possible STI infection is change in color and nature of vaginal discharge: gray-white, yellow, grayish-yellow, greenish, frothy, with a sour, fishy smell. In addition, in the acute course of genital infections are often observed: pain and burning during urination, itching and swelling in the vulva.

Diagnosis of STIs in women, as well as in men, is carried out through blood tests, ELISA, PCR, RIF, etc., and vaginal secretion by bacteriological method.

Often, an infection that is not cured in time in women passes into a latent asymptomatic phase, which is characterized by the development of inflammation in the genital area, and is fraught with impaired reproductive function.

Prevention of STDs consists in barrier contraception using a condom, and also includes an annual examination of women by gynecologists.

Bleeding

Bleeding with STDs- a sign of a complicated course of venereological diseases. Scanty intermenstrual bleeding can be observed:

With endometritis (damage to the uterine mucosa), due to the long course of gonococcal and chlamydial infections.
Cervicitis caused by mycoplasmas.

Bleeding in the above diseases is often accompanied by other symptoms: swelling and itching in the genitals, strong discharge with pus. Less common: fever, abdominal pain.

Purulent secretions with blood are observed with venereal granuloma and chlamydial lymphogranulomatosis in the secondary period, during the breakthrough of the ulcer.

Preparations

Main STD treatment is aimed at eliminating the pathogenic causative agent of infection with antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal drugs (depending on the specifics of the pathogen).

At genital herpes and HPV treatment with antiviral drugs is indicated: "Acyclovir", "Valacyclovir", "Famciclovir", the course of treatment is 5-10 days.

As an antibiotic therapy with syphilis prescribe penicillins (benzylpenicillin): "Bicillin", "Benzylpenicillin novocaine salt". At gonococcal, chlamydial and mycoplasmal infections, treatment with macrolides is indicated: Vilprafen, Josamycin, Erythromycin, Azithromycin, Sumamed, etc. chancroid, granuloma venereum the most effective are tetracyclines: Doxycycline, Unidox Solutab, as well as macrolides: Vilprafen.

During treatment urogenital candidiasis use antifungal drugs: Fluconazole, Diflucan, Mikosist.

For elimination of trichomoniasis take ornidazole preparations: "Ornidazole", "Tiberal", "Lornizol" and metronidazole: "Metronidazole", "Trichopolum".

general principles HIV therapy is to prevent the progression of the disease. To maintain chronic lethargy of the virus, therapy with antiretroviral drugs is indicated: Azidothymidine, Lamivudine, Zalcitabine.

Venereological diseases sexually transmitted and can occur both in an acute form and become chronic. Need to know first symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases in order to consult a doctor in a timely manner, otherwise the consequences may be the most unexpected.

Virtually everyone venereal diseases the incubation period lasts 7-10 days, after which the first signs appear. By the way, it is worth knowing that during oral and anal sex, infections are also transmitted. The first sign that an infection was obtained during oral sex is a sore throat. When you get an infection during anal sex, the first sign is inflammation of the rectum.

It is important to know that if a person did not pay attention to first symptoms of the disease, it goes into a chronic stage, after which the patient becomes a carrier of infections, without realizing it.

Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases

Chlamydia

This is a disease that occurs after the ingestion of bacteria such as chlamydia. The disease is transmitted only sexually. In men, the first signs of chlamydia are pain in the lower abdomen and stabbing pains during urination. In women, there is inflammation of the mucous membrane of the genital organs, as well as inflammation of the cervix.

Gonorrhea

This disease is popularly called gonorrhea. It is also transmitted sexually, regardless of the type of sex. It should be noted that gonorrhea has pronounced symptoms. In men, pus may flow from the penis, and there may also be pain during urination, which is similar to a burning sensation. The anus can be inflamed, the feces are often bloody. Women may experience occasional bleeding, which is often confused with menstruation. The discharge becomes pink or bright yellow. Pain may occur during intercourse. At the same time, you need to know that if a pregnant woman has gonorrhea, she can transmit the virus to the child. Undoubtedly, this is not fatal for the baby, but it still entails various negative consequences.

Syphilis

This is one of the most dangerous sexually transmitted diseases which, if left untreated, can be fatal. It is necessary to know that syphilis sexually transmitted through any sexual contact. The catch of the disease lies in the fact that it can pass in the body asymptomatically for a long time. That is why doctors recommend after spontaneous unprotected sex to be tested after 10 days, after the act and after 3 months.

Primary symptoms of syphilis- this is a general sluggish state of health, discharge, both in men and women, cramps in the inguinal region.

At the first signs of this venereal disease, you need to urgently contact a venereologist, because sometimes some tests are not enough to detect diseases and you need to undergo additional treatment. If you sound the alarm in time, any sexually transmitted diseases curable without any side effects.

Venereal diseases are sexually transmitted diseases.

Some of them have been known to mankind for hundreds of years, others have appeared relatively recently. In addition to "age", they also differ in their danger and prevalence.

The following is a list of the 10 most common sexually transmitted diseases, which will start with the most common and end with fairly rare diseases, but no less dangerous.

About 70% of sexually active men and women are asymptomatic carriers of this sexually transmitted disease. Infection mainly occurs through sexual contact, but it is also possible in the home.

Asymptomatic carriage turns into a disease when the maximum safe content of the pathogen in the human body is exceeded. Symptoms in men are clear discharge, slight burning during urination, symptoms of prostatitis.

In women, ureaplasmosis causes pain in the lower abdomen (with an inflammatory process of the internal genital organs), vaginal discharge and burning during urination. In men, prostatitis can become a complication of ureaplasmosis, in women - infertility and ectopic pregnancy.

2.

According to some reports, about 40% of women suffer from this sexually transmitted disease. Outwardly, it manifests itself in the formation of genital warts, which were first described in ancient Greece. Not so long ago it became known that papillomavirus infection is a viral disease that can be a harbinger of cervical cancer.

3. .

This sexually transmitted disease occurs with a frequency of 7 to 30%. Manifested in the formation of bubbles on the skin and mucous membranes. At the moment, there is no cure for herpes, there are only drugs that can suppress its reproduction. In some cases, herpes can affect the nervous system.

4. .

The incidence of gonorrhea among women under 30 is about 15%. The pathogenic effect of gonococci (the causative agents of this disease) is exerted mainly on the mucous membrane of the genital organs. The disease can occur in both acute and chronic forms. In men in an acute form, pus, mucus, a feeling of “tickling”, “broken glass” during urination are possible. Possible inflammation of the urethra and epididymis, damage to the bladder and kidneys. The external genitalia swell and become inflamed. In women, all the symptoms are similar.

5. .

From chlamydia, according to various sources, suffer from 5 to 15% of the sexually mature and sexually active population. Symptoms in women are burning and itching in the vulva, discharge with an unpleasant odor and a yellowish tint. A slight increase in temperature is possible. Women are more susceptible to this disease. Symptoms in men are pain in the lower back, scrotum, testicles, and urethra. There may be itching and cloudy urine.

6. .

In the total number of sexually transmitted infections, it occupies about 10%. This disease is dangerous because the affected area is not only the genitourinary system, but also the tonsils, the conjunctiva of the eyes and even the lungs. In women with this disease, there is pain during intercourse, vaginal discharge and itching. In men, symptoms of prostatitis and discharge from the urethra.

7. Cytomegalovirus infection.

The frequency of occurrence is 0.2 - 2.5%. A complete recovery from this infection does not occur, the virus can only go into a latent form and expect a decrease in immunity, during which it will manifest itself again. Found in all body fluids. May cause retinitis leading to blindness. Especially dangerous for children. The main carriers of this disease are homosexuals and prostitutes.

8. .

This disease affects less than 1% of the world's population. It is associated with lesions of the skin, mucous membranes, nervous system and bones. This disease is called pale treponema. Syphilis has several stages. At the site of entry of infection into the body, a so-called hard chancre is formed. If left untreated, this disease leads to a significant change in the appearance of a person and ultimately to death. …

9.

According to official figures, it affected 0.2% of the world's population. HIV infection affects the body's immune system, and does not allow it to effectively resist infections. An HIV-infected person may not know about his disease for several years, since it is asymptomatic at the beginning, but can already infect healthy people with it. In the later stages, many comorbidities are added to HIV, such as Kaposi's sarcoma. The cure and prevention of HIV have not yet been developed, but research is being actively conducted in this direction.

10. .

It is extremely rare, mainly brought by tourists from the countries of the Asian region. Externally, this disease manifests itself in the formation of erosions, vesicles and ulcers on the affected genitals. It is caused by a type of chlamydia.

Directory of the best venereologists

Sexually transmitted infections are a group of sexually transmitted diseases, the main route of transmission of which is unprotected sexual contact. STDs are clinically heterogeneous nosological units that are highly contagious, that is, infectious, and therefore carry a direct danger to human health.

What infections are sexually transmitted

The World Health Organization classifies STDs as follows::

Common sexually transmitted infections

lymphogranulomatosis (inguinal form);
granuloma of the venereal type.

Other STDs:

that affect mainly the organs of the reproductive system:

urogenital shigellosis (occurs in persons with homosexual sexual intercourse);
trichomoniasis;
candidal lesions of the genital organs, manifested by balanoposthitis and vulvovaginitis;
gardnerellosis;
scabies;
flatheads (pubic pediculosis);
molluscum contagiosum.

that affect mainly other organs and systems:

sepsis of newborns;
lamblia;
AIDS;
amoebiasis (typical for persons with homosexual contacts).

The main difference of any STD representative is its high susceptibility to changes in environmental conditions. For infection, there must be direct contact of a sick person with a healthy person, and in some cases this is not necessarily sexual intercourse, household contact will be enough, as, for example, in the case of a viral disease. The danger increases in the presence of defects in the integrity of the mucous membranes and skin, which are the entry gates for any infection. The risk of contracting STDs increases significantly through anal intercourse, the use of common personal hygiene products and sexual toys. note: almost all viral and bacterial sexually transmitted diseases penetrate the placental barrier, that is, they are transmitted to the fetus in utero and disrupt its physiological development. Sometimes the consequences of such infection appear only a few years after the birth of a child in the form of dysfunction of the heart, liver, kidneys, developmental disorders. Regarding the type of pathogen, venereal diseases are:

There are the following reasons that contribute to the spread of STDs:

very close household contacts;
unprotected sex, which also includes anal and oral;
use of shared towels;
non-compliance with the necessary rules for the sterilization of instruments (diseases are transmitted through contaminated instruments in medical, dental, cosmetology institutions, as well as in manicure and tattoo parlors);
procedure for transfusion of blood and its elements;
parenteral administration of drugs;
transplantation of organs and tissues.

STDs: symptoms

The clinical picture of sexually transmitted diseases is slightly different, but, in general, there are a number of signs that are characteristic of almost each of them:

excessive weakness;
purulent or mucous discharge from the urethra;
cloudy urine;
burning and itching in the genital area;
enlarged lymph nodes in the groin;
discomfort during intercourse and urination;
ulcers and ulcers in the groin, on the external genitalia;

In other organs, symptoms may appear depending on the type of infection in which other systems are affected. For example, the liver suffers from hepatitis, the bones are affected in the last stages of syphilis, the joints can be affected by chlamydia.

Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases in women

The presence of certain symptoms of STDs in women is explained by the peculiarities of their physiology. The following signs should alert a woman and become a reason for an extraordinary visit to the gynecologist:

pain and dryness during sex;
single or group enlargement of lymph nodes;
dysmenorrhea (violations of the normal menstrual cycle);
pain and discharge from the anus;
itching in the perineum;
anus irritation;
rash on the labia or around the anus, mouth, body;
atypical vaginal discharge (green, frothy, odorous, bloody);
frequent painful urge to urinate;
swelling of the vulva.

Sexually transmitted diseases in men: symptoms

You can suspect an STD in men by the following signs:

blood in semen;
frequent and painful urge to urinate;
low-grade fever (not with all diseases);
problems with normal ejaculation;
pain in the scrotum;
discharge from the urethra (white, purulent, mucous, with a smell);
rash of various kinds on the head of the penis, the penis itself, around it.

Important: Most venereal pathologies are asymptomatic. It is very important to seek medical help immediately after the onset of the first symptoms in order to prevent progression and the addition of complications.

Diagnostics

If there are any suspicious signs from the genitals, especially after unprotected sexual contact, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Self-medication in this case is fraught with complications and serious consequences. Sometimes the symptoms of STDs disappear some time after the onset, and the patient thinks that he is healthy and everything went away by itself. But this only means that the disease has passed into a latent, that is, latent form, and continues to circulate in the body. Important: if suspicious symptoms are found, it is imperative to notify your sexual partner and undergo an examination with him andget tested for STDs. The diagnostic scheme includes such items:

Survey. The doctor collects a detailed history of the disease from the patient, he asks about complaints, the duration of their appearance and severity. Usually, a patient who has already turned to a doctor has various elements (ulcers, rashes, erosions) on the skin and mucous membranes of the genital organs, pain, burning, itching during urination. It is also important to find out the number of sexual partners, previous sexually transmitted diseases, contraceptive methods used, whether there were unprotected sexual contacts. A woman undergoes a mandatory gynecological examination, and a urological examination for a man, during which the specialist detects objective symptoms of STDs. If necessary, it is also possible to consult a dermatovenereologist.
Laboratory research. They are the basis for confirming the diagnosis. An analysis for sexually transmitted infections involves examining the patient's blood and other body fluids.

In particular, the following diagnostic methods are used:

Treatment of sexually transmitted infections

Appropriate therapy is always prescribed only by the attending physician based on the results of the tests. Depending on the identified pathogen, a treatment regimen is drawn up.
Most diseases are successfully treated, but there are some that are considered incurable.:

hepatitis C;
herpes 1 and 2 types;

At the same time, supportive therapy allows you to remove the symptoms and alleviate the patient's condition. Among the medicines prescribed by a doctor, the following groups of drugs can be used:

to activate the body's immune response;
antiviral, allowing to accelerate remission when the viral infection enters the latent phase;
hepatoprotectors are used to support the liver in its severe lesions;
cardiac glycosides support the work of the heart muscle;
vitamin-mineral complexes are part of general strengthening therapy;

and more sexually transmitted diseases

Previously, only 5 were classified as venereal diseases - syphilis, gonorrhea, chancre, donovanosis and venereal lymphogranulomatosis. Later, other diseases became known - chlamydia, genital warts, genital herpes, HIV-infection, pubic lice and others. More than 30 sexually transmitted diseases are now known.

Sexual transmission of all these infections occurs through sex, including oral and anal sex. But some venereal diseases can be contracted in other ways:

simply by close contact with the carrier;
through common household items;
through a non-sterile medical and cosmetic instrument;
some diseases can be transmitted to a child from an infected mother - in the womb or when passing through the birth canal.

Independently, without consulting a doctor and tests, it is impossible to determine exactly what kind of disease a person has - whether it is a venereal disease at all, and if so, what kind. Therefore, it is very important to suspect signs of a sexual infection in time, which will be the reason to consult a doctor.

In this article, we will tell you what can signal a sexually transmitted infection, as well as what symptoms indicate various diseases.

The main features in brief

Signs of sexually transmitted diseases in men and women are different. Women have more symptoms and they are more diverse. In men, many diseases occur without symptoms, so it is generally harder for them to suspect that they have some kind of sexually transmitted problems.

Signs of sexually transmitted diseases in men:

rashes, red spots on the penis
discomfort, pain when urinating
discharge from the penis
pain in the scrotum

Signs of sexually transmitted diseases in women:

rashes on intimate places
atypical vaginal discharge
spotting after intercourse and between periods
pain, discomfort when urinating
unpleasant smell from the intimate area
pulling pain in the lower abdomen during or after sex
irritation, burning in the intimate area

When infected through oral sex, the following symptoms occur:

temperature increase
swollen lymph nodes in the neck
redness, rashes on the mucous membrane of the oropharynx

Target organs for genital infections

Why do certain signs of sexually transmitted diseases occur, and what else can it be, besides genital infections? To understand this, let us recall the structure of the male and female genital organs.

The female genital organs begin with the large labia, covered with ordinary skin, which passes into the mucous membrane. Under the labia majora are the labia minora, above which is the clitoris. The labia minora closes two openings: at the top - the urethra, below it - the entrance to the vagina. The vagina itself is a tube that ends at the cervix. The opening of the neck is closed with a mucous plug. The cervix tightly closes the uterus. In the corners of the uterus are the fallopian tubes, the ends of which are adjacent to the ovaries.

In men, the outside is the penis and scrotum, inside - the testicles, their appendages, seminal vesicles, vas deferens, prostate.

Secreted in the penis base, body And head. The body consists of 2 cavernous bodies (they fill with blood when excited) and a spongy body through which the urethra passes. The body of the penis passes into the head. The skin, when moving from the body to the head, forms a fold - the foreskin.

The scrotum is a sac that contains two testicles with appendages and the lower parts of the vas deferens. Both ducts join with the ducts of the seminal vesicles in the prostate to form the main vas deferens. It enters the urethra.

The prostate is located below the bladder in front of the rectum.

What happens when you get infected

When a bacterium, virus or fungus gets to a healthy person, active reproduction begins. Depending on the type of microorganism, it can be inside the cell or in the environment that surrounds this cell.

For example, the human papillomavirus lives and multiplies inside cells, disrupting their normal functioning. Because of the virus, skin cells cannot die and quickly fall off the surface of the skin, so growths form in the form of flesh-colored warts.

If reproduction occurs in any environment, then pathogenic microbes affect the secretions of this environment. For example, vaginal discharge can become foul-smelling because bacteria release toxins and other waste products.

After infection, the human immune system tries to cope with the problem on its own - it increases blood flow and directs special blood cells - leukocytes - to the site of invasion. Because of this, the infected organ turns red and swells, and the temperature rises in it. For example, the vaginal mucosa becomes bright red during inflammation, it is hot to the touch, and its walls are thickened.

Due to tissue swelling, nerve endings can be compressed, causing pain, burning, or itching. Because of this, for example, there is pain when urinating, or a feeling that the vagina itches.

Some bacteria (such as chlamydia) destroy mucosal cells. But besides this, the cells of the mucous membrane and skin suffer from edema and the work of leukocytes, which destroy microbes. From here, erosions, ulcers arise, the site of inflammation can bleed if the vascular wall is destroyed due to infection. This often causes spotting during and after intercourse, as well as between periods.

Cell death causes a disruption in the normal functioning of the affected organ. The reproductive and urinary systems are closely related. Therefore, if microbes enter the urethra in men, they can go to the vas deferens, and then cause inflammation of the prostate and testicles. As a result, this can lead to infertility.

In women, due to the close proximity of the urethra and vagina, the infection can spread to the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries, which leads to problems with conception and pregnancy, causes pulling pains in the lower abdomen and other discomfort.

Inflammation can be acute or chronic.

acute form begins from the moment when the microbe enters the body and begins to multiply. Usually it is 2-10 days after infection. The manifestations of the disease can be bright, or they can be blurred. With mild symptoms, and if a person does not consult a doctor, the inflammation gradually subsides, and the infection becomes chronic.

Chronic form sexual infection exists in the human body for a long time and gradually changes the structure of the affected organs. The elasticity of tissues deteriorates, the natural channels narrow, the work of the reproductive system is disrupted. A person with a chronic sexually transmitted infection becomes a source of infection for his sexual partners and relatives (household transmission).

Symptoms and diseases

Each sexually transmitted disease is characterized by certain symptoms. But does this or that sign always speak only of a sexual infection? Let's take a closer look at each group of symptoms.

Burning and pain when urinating

If the infection enters the urethra, it can spread upward to the bladder and kidneys. Inflammation leads to tissue swelling and cell destruction. For this reason, the outflow of urine is difficult, a person experiences pain and burning after urination.

These symptoms are typical for diseases such as:

chlamydia

Burning during urination and pain immediately after. The severity of symptoms can be blurred, which leads to chronic inflammation.

trichomoniasis

Burning after urination. Possible different intensity of discomfort.

candidiasis

Burning during urination occurs only in the chronic form of the disease.

gonorrhea

Brief burning at the very beginning of urination. Often the symptoms are pronounced in men, but completely absent in women.

non-venereal diseases

They also have similar symptoms, but they are caused by other reasons: urolithiasis, injuries of the external genital organs, allergies to cosmetics, psycho-emotional disorders, and so on.

Discharge from the penis

The following fluids can normally be discharged from the penis:

urethrorrhea- clear fluid from the urethra
smegma- whitish discharge from the glands of the foreskin and head
sperm- white discharge, a mixture of sperm and gonadal secretions

The following should be of concern:

transparent, heavy, mucous discharge - characteristic of ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, chlamydia.
mucopurulent - characteristic of trichomoniasis, ureaplasmosis and chlamydia in the acute phase
purulent - in abundant quantities characteristic of gonorrhea.
white cheesy - typical for candidiasis.

Non-venereal diseases with discharge from the penis also happen. In this case, the symptoms may be the same, but the cause is completely different. Balanoposthitis - inflammation of the foreskin, prostatitis, non-gonococcal urethritis, tumors, penile injuries, diseases of the central nervous system - all this may not be associated with sexual infections.

Vaginal discharge

Normally, female vaginal discharge is liquid, transparent, mucous, in a small amount. Their volume can increase during arousal, after stress, in late pregnancy. The consistency varies depending on the cycle - in the middle of the cycle, more liquid discharge than at the beginning and end of the cycle. After intercourse without the use of a condom and ejaculation of semen, white discharge from the vagina is possible for several days.

Allocations for genital infections are:

abundant thick frothy white

characteristic of trichomoniasis. Quite often there is an unpleasant odor. The causes of an unpleasant smell from the vagina or urethra (in men) with sexually transmitted diseases are the vital activity of bacteria - they decompose nutrients and produce toxins.

yellow-green discharge

Characteristic of gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and chlamydia. They have an unpleasant fishy smell.

thick white curdled discharge is a hallmark symptom of candidiasis.
greyish-white, watery discharge with a fishy smell - typical of gardnerellosis.

Some sexually transmitted diseases can cause spotting during and after sex. This is typical for chlamydia, trichomoniasis and gonorrhea. Microorganisms destroy the cells of the mucous membrane. Friction during sexual intercourse leads to additional mechanical damage to the inflamed areas. The discharge of blood from the vagina is possible and the period between menstruation, if the inflammation is very strong.

Some sexually transmitted diseases can cause spotting during and after sex. This is common for chlamydia, trichomoniasis and gonorrhea.

Rashes in the intimate area

Sometimes a rash on the genitals becomes the only symptom of a sexually transmitted disease:

flesh-colored nodules of an elongated shape on a thin base - characteristic of genital warts; sometimes they can grow and resemble a rooster's comb;
a rash in the form of small dots of a blue or red hue in the pubic region, with severe itching - a sign of infection with pubic lice that bite the skin to feed on human blood;
a small rash in the form of channels up to 3 mm, causing severe itching - these are scabies mite moves under the skin, the cause of scabies;
red itchy spots on the head of the penis, on the inside of the foreskin, in the perineum are the result of candidiasis or gardnerellosis; these spots are painful to the touch and are associated with white discharge of a curdled consistency;
vesicles with a clear or bloody fluid are a characteristic sign of genital herpes. Bubbles are painful when touched, cause itching and burning.

Separately, it should be said about the rash with syphilis.

This disease has 3 stages, and each is characterized by its own type of rash. In the first stage, a painless ulcer with raised dense edges appears on the skin - a syphilitic chancre. It occurs at the site through which syphilitic bacteria have entered the body. If the disease is not diagnosed and not treated, then the ulcer disappears, and syphilis passes into the next stage. The second stage is characterized by a small red or pink rash that appears all over the body. This rash goes away on its own and recurs after a few months. You can read more about the rash with syphilis in a separate article.

For rashes on the genitals, you can take the sebaceous glands located in men on the head of the penis, and in women - on the labia majora. During puberty, the glands are finally formed, and become especially visible. Outwardly, they may resemble a rash in the form of multiple white seals.

Red spots on the genitals may be a sign of contact dermatitis, an allergic reaction. Rashes in the form of plaques - a symptom of psoriasis

Burning and itching of the genitals

The cause of severe itching of the genitals can be sexually transmitted insects - pubic lice and scabies.

Pubic lice are round-shaped bodies that are firmly attached to the hairs. Itching occurs at the sites of lice bites.

The scabies mite causes scabies. The reason for itching in scabies is that the mite is introduced under the skin and gnaws through the channels in which it multiplies.

Itching and burning of the genital organs also occurs with candidiasis, trichomoniasis and gardnerellosis.

A pronounced burning sensation causes genital herpes during its exacerbation - at the same time a rash appears in the form of bubbles.

Causes of itching and burning in the intimate area that are not related to sexual infections are allergies to cosmetics, rubbing underwear, cystitis and urethritis - which are caused by non-pathogenic microbes, hormonal diseases, contact dermatitis, mental disorders.

Pain during intercourse, pain in the lower abdomen

Pain is caused by an inflammatory response. Pain during intercourse occurs with candidiasis, trichomoniasis and chlamydia. The causative agents of these diseases cause the death of mucosal cells and tissue destruction. Friction during sex further damages inflamed tissues.

This type of pain is characteristic of the acute stage of the disease. When the infection becomes chronic, the microbes spread to other organs of the reproductive system and cause their inflammation: there is pain in the lower abdomen. In women, the inflamed uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries hurt. In men - the prostate, testicles with appendages. Pulling pain in the lower abdomen is characteristic of chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis, gonorrhea.

Pain is characteristic of many infections, not only venereal ones. These can be inflammatory diseases caused by other microorganisms, tumors, injuries. Normally, pulling pain in the lower abdomen in women occurs only during ovulation, before and during menstruation.

Let's look at the main symptoms of the most common sexually transmitted diseases.

Summary table of symptoms and the most common venereal diseases

Results

If a person notices any of the listed symptoms, an urgent need to contact a dermatovenereologist. However, it is worth remembering that these same signs can also signal non-communicable diseases. In any case, only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis - after the person has passed all the tests. Treatment of any sexual infection is important to start as early as possible to prevent the disease from becoming chronic.