3 Signs of an STD You Don't Want to Ignore

You’ve just had sex with a new partner and notice some things are different afterward. Should you wait it out and see if your symptoms get better? Do they really mean anything? Can you trust that your partner was clean? There are certain tell-tale signs of a sexually transmitted disease that you should not ignore. If you do, your condition will most likely worsen without treatment. 

Discharge

Discharge, even in men, is a very common symptom of multiple STDs. Discharge can vary in consistency and coloration. If you are experiencing a clear, white, greenish, or yellowish discharge, you may have trichomoniasis. If you are experiencing a thick, cloudy, or bloody discharge, you may have gonorrhea. Odor also plays a factor in what kind of STD you may have. Chlamydia, as well as trichomoniasis, can cause a strong-smelling, yellowish discharge.

Women can also experience abnormal bleeding if they have an STD. Chlamydia and gonorrhea both can cause bleeding outside of a normal menstrual period. This should be taken very seriously if you have had sexual intercourse with a potential STD carrier. Any of these symptoms should be treated by a doctor immediately. 

Painful Urination

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If you’ve never had a bladder infection before, you may find painful urination to be shockingly horrible. Oftentimes, this feeling can be described as “urinating needles.” For some, they only find that they feel their pain at the end of urination, almost like a spasm. For some, they constantly feel a spasming like they still need to urinate after emptying their bladder.

If you are experiencing heavy burning and pain while urinating, you may have chlamydia or gonorrhea. With trichomoniasis, particularly in men, the STD’s parasite infects the urinary tract and can cause painful urination. Ulcers related to genital herpes can also make urination painful. 

The coloring of your urine can also clue into certain STDs, like hepatitis. With other STDs, you can sometimes find blood in your urine. If you notice a different color of urine, strong-smelling urine, or painful urination, you should seek out a doctor as soon as possible for an STD test. 

Rashes

Some STDs appear in the form of a rash, bumps, warts or open sores. These make an STD unbearable through the constant need to itch at your rash or bumps. The pain that open sores cause can be excruciating. All of these symptoms can lead to a serious diagnosis that should be treated immediately. 

With genital herpes, you will often notice small red bumps, blisters, or open sores in your genital or anal area. These will all cause pain and itching around your genital area and its surroundings. Genital herpes usually starts with pain or itching. After a few days, red bumps will appear that can blister or open. 

A rash can also lead to a more serious diagnosis, such as HIV and syphilis. Red, fluid filled bumps can be associated with HIV. Rashes with red, large sores all over your body (even your feet and hands) can mark the presence of syphilis. If you suspect you may have come into contact with an STD and notice a strange rash, you should seek professional medical help immediately. 

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Seeking Out Help 

If you are experiencing discharge, painful or frequent urination, or any kind of rash after sexual intercourse with a new partner, you will want to get an STD test as soon as possible. BASS Urgent Care is here to help. We are prepared to give you the STD test and treat any condition present.

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