In Men

In Women

Other Info

Chlamydia

Painful urination, discharge in urine

If untreated, can result in a testicular disease called epididymitis. 

Painful urination, abnormal discharge, lower abdominal pain

If untreated, can result in serious damage to the fallopian tubes, causing infertility and increasing the risk of having a fertilized egg attach itself to the fallopian tubes and not the uterus wall (ectopic pregnancy) This is a main cause of maternal death in pregnancy

Urine tests are commonly used to detect an infection.   Chlamydia may not have visible or physical symptoms (asymptomatic).

Gonorrhea

Painful urination, discharge in urine

If untreated can result in a testicular disease called epididymitis

Painful urination, abnormal vaginal discharge, bleeding between menstrual periods, lower abdominal pain

Often times, people infected with gonorrhea are also infected with chlamydia (about 20-40%).  Testing for this disease is usually performed by means of a culture.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

This disease does not occur in men

Fever, severe pain in the lower abdomen, irregular vaginal bleeding, painful urination.

Causes infection of fallopian tubes, the lining of the uterus (endometrium) and other pelvic structures.

PID is not an actual STD, but occurs when cases of chlamydia and/or gonorrhea go untreated.

Prolonged, untreated infections can severely inflame the fallopian tubes and create scarring or growths called adhesions.  These cling to the ovaries and stop or slow the natural movement of the tubes, often leading to infertility. 

Trichomoniasis

Irritation of the urethra and cloudy discharge, painful urination

Symptoms usually evident in less than half of men

Grayish or greenish vaginal discharge, vaginal itching, pain during intercourse, pain during urination (less frequent)

Symptoms usually evident in more than half of women

This disease is detected by swabbing the vaginal or urethral discharge.  It is placed under a microscope to identify the organisms.  Though commonly treated with antibiotics, it often goes away on its own

Pubic Lice (Crabs)

Itching and pubic lice are visible, and frequently lay eggs (nits) at the base of the hair follicles.

Itching and pubic lice are visible, and frequently lay eggs (nits) at the base of the hair follicles.

There are three types of lice – those that infect the head, those that infect the body, and those that infect the pubic area.  All three are treatable with a surface ointment.

Scabies

Itchy burrows on the hands and wrists (also found on the chest, buttocks, thighs and penis)

Itchy burrows on the hands and wrists (also found on the chest, buttocks, thighs and vaginal area)

Scabies are caused by itch mites, similar to ticks but much smaller and less dangerous (they don’t give you a chronic disease).

They burrow into skin and create a very uncomfortable itch.

Syphilis

Stage 1 – sores called chancres develop about three weeks after exposure to the infection and remain for up to five weeks.

Stage 2 – chancres disappear and skin rashes develop – “copper penny spots” on palms and bottoms of feet; prickly heat rash; warts in groin area; white sores inside of mouth.  Stage 2 often results in fever, headaches, weight loss, and swollen lymph glands as well and lasts for up to six weeks.

Stage 3 – if untreated, serious internal damage occurs, leading to paralysis, blindness, madness, impotency and even death.

Stage 1 – sores called chancres develop about three weeks after exposure to the infection and remain for up to five weeks.

Stage 2 – chancres disappear and skin rashes develop – “copper penny spots” on palms and bottoms of feet; prickly heat rash; warts in groin area; white sores inside of mouth.  Stage 2 often results in fever, headaches, weight loss, and swollen lymph glands as well and lasts for up to six weeks.

Stage 3 – if untreated, serious internal damage occurs, leading to paralysis, blindness, madness, impotency and even death.

Syphilis is only transmitted when the chancres are present on external genitalia, vagina, rectum, anus, mouth or lips.

Disease testing usually involves a quick blood test, but swabbing the chancres and observing the culture is also a method used to identify the disease. 

Yeast Infection

This disease does not occur in men

Though, not technically an STD, a yeast infection is an infection that can cause vaginitis.  Symptoms include inflammation of vaginal tissue, itching, discharge and a distinct odor.  

Vaginitis can also be caused by trichomoniasis (see above) and a bacterial infection called BV (bacterial vaginosis).

Genital Warts

They do not usually cause pain, itching, bleeding, or other symptoms unless irritated by friction.
Can appear on the penis and scrotum, and in the area around the anus.

Can appear on the vulva and in the area around the anus.

Warts are detected by examination by a doctor or a process by which a small piece of the wart is removed and sent to a laboratory to be analyzed (biopsy).

There are over one hundred subcategories of the virus responsible for genital warts as well as common hand and foot warts (HPV).  Some are linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer (which only effects women). 

Hepatitis-B (HBV)

Yellowing of the skin and eyes (Jaundice), nausea, fatigue and dark urine.

Yellowing of the skin and eyes (Jaundice), nausea, fatigue and dark urine.

Commonly contracted through blood, including blood transfusions and the sharing of needles.

Can also be contracted through semen or vaginal fluid, and even saliva.

If untreated, will result in severe liver problems.