Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Getting tested and treated quickly is important for preventing complications and transmission to partners.
Why you should not ignore STDs
There are several reasons why STDs should not be ignored:
- STDs often don’t show symptoms initially. You may feel fine and have no symptoms but still have an infection you could spread to partners.
- When symptoms do occur, they are sometimes mild and easy to ignore. This allows the infection to worsen over time.
- STDs can lead to long-term health problems if untreated such as infertility, certain cancers, pelvic inflammatory disease, and infection in infants born to mothers with STDs.
- You risk spreading the infection to your sexual partners if you do not get treated.
Even if symptoms go away, you still need treatment to cure the infection completely. An untreated STD can come back again or lead to other problems in the future.
Common STDs and their complications
Some of the most common STDs and their potential complications if left untreated include:
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that often causes no symptoms but can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy in women. In men, untreated chlamydia can cause pain and swelling in the testicles.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is another common bacterial STD that may show no symptoms at first. Over time, complications can include pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and increased risk of HIV. Gonorrhea can also spread to the blood and joints.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV is the most common STD. While most HPV strains clear up on their own, persistent infection with high-risk strains can lead to cervical, anal, throat, and other cancers. HPV also causes genital warts.
Herpes
Herpes simplex virus type 2 causes genital herpes lesions or sores. Over time, untreated herpes can lead to increased viral shedding that makes transmission more likely. Herpes can also cause recurrent painful sores.
HIV
Untreated HIV attacks the immune system and advances to AIDS. This makes the body unable to fight off infections and certain cancers. Early HIV treatment is important for living a long healthy life.
Syphilis
At first, syphilis may cause painless sores. But in the late stage, untreated syphilis can damage the heart, brain, and other organs leading to organ failure and death. Syphilis also increases the risk of contracting HIV.
How are STDs spread?
STDs are spread through unprotected sexual contact with someone who has an infection. This includes:
- Vaginal sex
- Anal sex
- Oral sex
- Skin-to-skin genital contact
Some STDs like HIV and syphilis can also be spread by contact with infected blood. STDs can be passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth.
Getting tested
Getting tested is the only way to find out if you have an STD, especially since many STDs cause no symptoms. The CDC recommends the following testing guidelines:
- Sexually active women under 25, or older women at risk, should get tested yearly for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
- HIV testing at least once between age 13-64, more often if high risk.
- Syphilis testing for those at increased risk.
- HPV and herpes testing if genital warts or sores are present.
Speak to your doctor about what tests you may need based on your sexual history and risks. They can do a simple urine test or vaginal/urethral swab to check for infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea. Blood tests can check for HIV, syphilis, and herpes.
Getting treated
If you test positive for an STD, following your doctor’s recommended treatment is vital. Even if symptoms go away, you still need to finish all medications to cure the infection. Treatment options may include:
- Antibiotics: Used to treat common bacterial STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
- Antiviral medication: Prescribed for viral STDs like herpes, HPV, and HIV.
- Topical treatment: Medicated ointments applied to genital warts.
Make sure your sexual partners from the last few months get tested and treated too so you don’t pass the infection back and forth.
Prevention
Using condoms correctly every time you have sex can greatly reduce your risk of getting most STDs. Other prevention tips include:
- Get vaccinated – vaccines are available to prevent HPV and hepatitis B.
- Limit sexual partners and avoid partners with unknown STD status.
- Don’t douche, which eliminates good bacteria and increases STD risk.
- Don’t abuse alcohol or drugs, which can impair decision-making around safer sex.
The importance of early STD treatment
Finding and treating STDs early has many benefits:
- Prevents or minimizes long-term health complications
- Reduces the chances of infecting your sexual partners
- For pregnant women, reduces risk of infecting the baby before or during birth
- Eliminates symptoms like painful sores, discharge, or burning urination
- Lowers risk of spread to other body systems through the blood
- Decreases possibility of pelvic inflammatory disease which can damage reproductive organs
Knowing your STD status allows you to take steps to protect yourself and your partners. Most STDs are easy to treat if detected early. Some effective home remedies can also provide symptom relief while medical treatment takes effect.
Home remedies for symptom relief
While home remedies cannot cure STDs, they can temporarily relieve symptoms like itching, inflammation, and discomfort while you are waiting for test results and medical treatment. Some options include:
Baking soda bath
Baking soda added to a warm bath can help soothe itchiness and irritation around the genitals.
Ice packs
Applying ice packs wrapped in cloth to painful sores can help reduce swelling. Do not apply ice directly to skin.
Salt water soak
Soaking infected areas in warm salt water may help reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Tea tree oil
Diluted in a carrier oil and applied topically, tea tree oil has natural antibacterial properties to fight infection.
Aloe vera gel
The cooling gel from the aloe vera plant can alleviate burning and itching when applied to sores.
When to see a doctor
While home remedies may help manage symptoms, it is essential to see a doctor for testing and treatment. Contact your doctor if you have:
- Burning during urination
- Unusual discharge, sores, or rash around genitals
- Pain during sex
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
- Bleeding between periods
STD symptoms can be mild and seem harmless at first. But any symptoms could indicate infection and shouldn’t be ignored. Getting tested at the first suspicion of STD exposure or symptoms can prevent complications before they become serious.
STD complications and prognosis
Every STD is different, but possible complications include:
HIV
Over time, destroys the immune system leading to AIDS. Life expectancy is dramatically shortened without treatment.
Hepatitis B
Can develop into chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer. A vaccine can prevent hepatitis B.
HPV
High-risk strains can cause cervical, anal, penile, throat, and other cancers. HPV vaccine prevents cancer-causing HPV.
Chlamydia
Can permanently damage reproductive organs leading to infertility and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancies.
Gonorrhea
Pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and increased HIV risk. Gonorrhea is evolving resistance to antibiotics.
Syphilis
Late-stage syphilis can severely damage the heart, brain, and other organs, leading to organ failure and death.
Herpes
Cannot be cured but antiviral medication can prevent or reduce outbreaks. May negatively impact emotional wellbeing.
Trichomoniasis
A parasite that increases risk for premature birth, low birth weight infants. But easily curable with antibiotics.
With many STDs like HIV, early intervention and consistent treatment allows people to manage the infection and live an otherwise normal lifespan. But without treatment, STDs can lead to chronic pain, cancer, irreversible organ damage, infertility, and even death.
STDs & mental health
Being diagnosed with an STD can negatively affect mental health and emotional wellbeing. Common reactions include:
- Shock and denial – Difficulty accepting the diagnosis at first.
- Fear and anxiety – Worrying about the infection itself or telling partners.
- Anger – Feeling angry at the source of infection or yourself.
- Sadness – Feeling depressed or ashamed about having an STD.
- Isolation – Fearing rejection, so withdrawing from friends and family.
Speaking with a counselor and connecting with STD support groups can help overcome negative emotions. Online counseling options allow discreet access to mental health services.
Overcoming STD stigma
The social stigma around STDs can make people ashamed to seek testing and treatment. But overcoming that stigma is key. Some ways to help remove the stigma include:
- Talking openly about sexual health and protection.
- Advocating for comprehensive STD education.
- Reaching out to partners, friends, and family for support after an STD diagnosis.
- Joining online STD support communities to share experiences and advice.
- Seeing a counselor who specializes in STD-related mental health issues.
There are supportive online communities where thousands of people discuss living with STDs openly and positively. Connecting with others helps give a sense of normalcy to the common STD experience.
Talking to partners about STDs
Telling partners about an STD diagnosis can seem scary. Some tips that may help include:
- Get counseling to process your own feelings first before telling partners.
- Make a list of partners who need to be notified, when and how you will tell them.
- Read up on the STD so you can calmly give partners factual information.
- Use “I” statements (“I have this condition…”) rather than accusations (“You gave me…”).
- Give partners time and space to process the news on their own.
- Answer questions honestly and encourage partners to get tested.
- If any partner responds badly, know that’s on them, not a reflection on you.
Having an STD is nothing to feel ashamed about. It simply means you need medical care. With the right treatments and some courageous conversations, STDs don’t have to negatively impact lives.
The takeaway
STDs are common but avoiding, delaying or interrupting treatment can have serious consequences. Protect your health by getting routinely tested if sexually active. Seek treatment right away if you test positive or experience any possible STD symptoms. While telling partners and dealing with stigma may be uncomfortable, the long-term health risks of untreated STDs make it critically important not to ignore. With timely testing and treatment, the prognosis for most common STDs is very good.