Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

View the Health Heart Book

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer
Connect with others who've been there. Share stories. Learn. Join Mayo Clinic's
online community.

Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have a wide range of signs and symptoms. That's why they may go unnoticed until complications occur or a partner is diagnosed. Signs and symptoms that might indicate an STI include:

  • Sores or bumps on the genitals or in the oral or rectal area
  • Painful or burning urination
  • Discharge from the penis
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Unusual vaginal bleeding
  • Sore, swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the groin but sometimes more widespread

Signs and symptoms may appear a few days to three months after exposure, depending on the organism. They may resolve in a few weeks, even without treatment, but progression with later complications — or recurrence — sometimes occurs.

When to see a doctor
See a doctor immediately if you are sexually active and you believe you've been exposed to an STI or you have signs and symptoms of an STI.

Make an appointment with a doctor for STI counseling and, if appropriate, for screening tests:

  • When you consider becoming sexually active, or when you're 21, whichever comes first
  • Before you start having sex with a new partner
Causes Definition
References
  1. Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 31st ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders; 2008. http://dorlands.com/def.jsp. Accessed Jan., 2011.
  2. Swygard H. Screening for sexually transmitted diseases. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  3. Holmes KK. Sexually transmitted infections: Overview and clinical approach. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Online. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2893718. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  4. Global strategy for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections: 2006-2015. Breaking the chain of transmission. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/publications/stisstrategy/index.html. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  5. Basic information: HIV. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/basic/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  6. CDC fact sheet: Genital herpes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  7. CDC fact sheet: Genital HPV infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  8. CDC fact sheet: Syphilis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/Syphilis/STDFact-Syphilis.htm. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  9. CDC fact sheet: Chlamydia. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/STDFact-Chlamydia.htm. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  10. CDC fact sheet: Gonorrhea. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/STDFact-gonorrhea.htm. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2010. MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2010;59:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5511a1.htm. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  12. CDC fact sheet: Bacterial vaginosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/STDFact-Bacterial-Vaginosis.htm. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  13. CDC fact sheet: PID (pelvic inflammatory disease). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/PID/STDFact-PID.htm. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  14. CDC fact sheet: Trichomoniasis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/trichomonas/STDFact-Trichomoniasis.htm. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  15. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Shigella flexneri serotype 3 infections among men who have sex with men — Chicago, Illinois, 2003-2004. MMWR. 2005;54:820. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5433a2.htm. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  16. Quick answers: Sexually transmitted diseases. McGraw Hill's Access Medicine. http://www.accessmedicine.com/popup.aspx?aID=3271836. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  17. Klausner JD. Screening guidelines for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. In: Klausner JD, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw Hill Companies; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3025000. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  18. Swygard H, et al. Gonorrhea. In: Klausner JD, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw Hill Companies; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3025486. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  19. Ward H. Prevention strategies for sexually transmitted infections: Importance of sexual network and epidemic phase. Sexually Transmitted Infections. 2007;83:i43.
  20. Trends in sexually transmitted diseases in the United States: 2009 national data for gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/STI/stats07/trends.htm. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  21. Arrington-Sanders R, et al. Sexually transmitted diseases in adolescents. In: Klausner JD, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw Hill Companies; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3026189. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  22. Wong W. Sexually transmitted diseases in men who have sex with men. In: Klausner JD, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw Hill Companies; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3026252. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  23. Peterman TA. Partner notification and management. In: Klausner JD, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw Hill Companies; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3026469. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  24. Klausner JD. The sexual history. In: Klausner JD, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw Hill Companies; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/popup.aspx?aid=3026901. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  25. Safer sex ("Safe sex"). Planned Parenthood. http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/STIs-hiv-safer-sex/safer-sex-4263.htm. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  26. Reitmeijer CA. Principles of risk reduction counseling. In: Klausner JD, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw Hill Companies; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3026418. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  27. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Antiretroviral postexposure prophylaxis after sexual, injection-drug use, or other nonoccupational exposure to HIV in the United States. MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2005;54:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5402a1.htm. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  28. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Revised recommendations for HIV testing of adults, adolescents, and pregnant women in health-care settings. MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2006;55:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5514a1.htm?s_cid=rr5514a1_e. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  29. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Recommendations on the use of quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine in males — Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2011:60;1705.
DS01123 Jan. 20, 2012

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger