STD Testing and Awareness Needed

STDs don’t always show symptoms. Most often, STDs in both men and women are asymptomatic. The best way to catch these infections, before damage is done or they are passed on to others, is through routine STD testing. Even when symptoms are present they are often vague and mistaken for other conditions. Here are a few of those easily dismissed STD symptoms:

Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain is a common, but vague, symptom that can indicate a variety of conditions. But in women, it can be a serious sign of STDs, particularly chlamydia. Pain is often located in the lower abdomen and can indicate that the infection has spread to other parts of the reproductive system. If experiencing abdominal pain, it’s important to test for chlamydia and gonorrhea to avoid complications.

Jock itch

Jock itch can be a common problem for many men. However, genital herpes outbreaks can be so mild that they're often mistaken for jock itch. This STD can be tricky to diagnose since symptoms are often mild (not everyone experiences those painful, textbook blisters) or nonexistent. In fact, up to 90% of those with genital herpes don’t know they are infected.

Abnormal vaginal bleeding

Sometimes abnormal vaginal bleeding is attributed to spotting from birth control pills or rough sex. Other times, it can be a symptom of an STD. Women experiencing this symptom should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia to rule out these infections.

Painful sex

Painful or uncomfortable sex happens. Sometimes it can be from a lack of lubrication but it can also signal the presence of chlamydia and gonorrhea, especially in women. Men may experience discomfort after ejaculation.

When it comes to STD symptoms, don't wait for them to show up. By that point, complications may be present. If there's a chance of exposure, even if you use condoms, have STD testing performed to be on the safe side.