Knowing And Watching Out For Signs Of Sexually Transmitted Women's Diseases
There is logic in protected sex; it prevents the spread of contagious diseases that can be transmitted from one person to another during the intimate union of two people. There are about 25 types of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that can be transmitted through genital, anal and oral sex. There is a wide range of manifestations or signs of sexually transmitted women’s diseases.
What is the value of knowing the signs of sexually transmitted diseases in women?
It is possible that a woman has STD and does not know about it. Unfortunately, even women in monogamous relationships can experience STD with a polygamous boyfriend or husband. There are certain diseases that are asymptomatic like Chlamydia. There are those that have nonspecific symptoms or have similar symptoms that are often confused like a bladder infection and gonorrhea.
One thing is certain, early diagnosis is important for STD to be treated. If left untreated, many sexually transmitted women’s diseases can lead to severe infections and infertility. It helps to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of STD.
What are the most common and notable signs of sexually transmitted women’s diseases that women must watch out for?
• Chlamydia is the most common of all the STDs, but most are undiagnosed because the signs are not manifested until about 3 weeks after exposure. At this time, the infection can spread, but at other time these are just mild and passing. Interestingly, this is most prevalent among younger people. If ever signs of Chlamydia appear, these include vaginal discharge, spotting between monthly periods and burning sensation when urinating. This can also be transmitted from mother to the baby during vaginal delivery.
• Gonorrhea ranks next to Chlamydia and like Chlamydia, it is also under-diagnosed. It is a bacterial infection that may manifest signs and symptoms from 2 to 10 days after exposure. But, just like Chlamydia, it may be asymptomatic or with nonspecific symptoms. Symptoms that resemble bladder infection include pain or burning sensation during urination, vaginal discharge with pus or blood, pain or tenderness in the abdomen, heavier than usual menstrual flow, and spotting between periods.
• Trichomoniasis or trich is an STI (sexually transmitted Infection) that is caused by a unicellular parasite called “Trichomonas vaginalis” that can be transmitted during copulation, though other modes of transmission are possible. The signs of this STD include foul-smelling vaginal discharge, itchy genitalia, and intense burning pain when urinating or having intercourse.
• A virus that stays in the nerve cells even when the signs are not visible causes genital herpes. There can be no signs at times, but during an outbreak, women with genital herpes can suffer from open sores on or around the genitalia, vaginal discharge, fever, headache, blisters and small bumps, itching, burning and swollen glands in the genital area. Sores may heal in 2 to 4 weeks, but this outbreak can recur when under stress.
• Human papilloma virus (HPV) causes HPV and genital warts. This is common and about half of sexually active adults may experience this at some point in their lives. There are over 40 strains of this virus. Some can increase the risk of cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, anal cancer, and vaginal cancer among women. Some may not manifest symptoms. Some manifest signs like warts in the genital area or on the inner thighs or lesions in the vagina or cervix.
• HIV is an infection caused by the human immune deficiency virus. This virus quells the body’s ability to fight diseases caused by bacteria, fungi and other viruses. In the long run, it leads to a chronic life-threatening disease called AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Most people afflicted with HIV do not manifest symptoms; the virus can be dormant for about 10 years. Once the disease is already full-blown, it can manifest symptoms like severe fatigue, rapid drop of weight, fever and night sweats, ongoing infections and diarrhea, swollen glands, skin infections and blemishes of all sorts, coughing, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), altered menstrual cycle, and more.
These are just six of the common STDs. There are many other diseases such as scabies, syphilis, thrush, hepatitis, etc. A woman can never be absolutely protected from these afflictions. Prudence and protected sex are the best the solutions, but knowing the different signs of sexually transmitted women’s diseases to watch out for can also be a good defense.
