STIs

Anyone can get an STI- it doesn’t matter how many times they’ve had sex or how many people they’ve had sex with, we’re all at risk. And remember, you may or may not have symptoms, so that is not a reliable way of knowing if you have an STI or not.

I don't have symptoms

Some people won’t ever experience any symptoms, and yet they’re still infected. For others, symptoms can take months to appear. For example:

• Chlamydia: 75% of women with chlamydia and 50% of men don’t have any obvious signs or symptoms
• Gonorrhoea: 10% of men and 50% of women with gonorrhoea experience no signs or symptoms
• Genital herpes: Many people may not get any visible signs or symptoms
• HIV: around 80% of people with HIV will experience a short, two week illness soon after getting the virus but this could be confused with flu
• Syphilis: at first, the symptoms of syphilis are usually mild which may lead to some people ignoring them
• Pubic lice: can take a few weeks to appear. Some people may not have any symptoms or notice them.
• Trichomoniasis: 50% of men and women with trichomoniasis will not experience any symptoms.
• Genital warts: Most people don’t have any visible symptoms and it can be months or even years before genital warts appear

Below are some of the symptoms most commonly associated with STIs. Remember though, without being examined and tested by a health professional, you can’t know for certain what your symptoms are caused by.

Unusual discharge

Discharge is fluid or mucus that comes out of your body. Some discharge is perfectly normal and we may all experience this from time-to-time. However, if you notice discharge from the vagina, penis or rectum that is unusual for you, it could be an STI.

• Unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or rectum could be chlamydia
• Unusual green or yellow discharge from the vagina could be gonorrhoea
• Unusual green, yellow or white discharge from the tip of the penis could be gonorrhoea
• A frothy, yellow-green and/or fishy smelling vaginal discharge could be trichomoniasis
• Thin, white discharge from the penis could be trichomoniasis
• A white or cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis can be caused by urethritis (this is not an STI but can be a result of an STI)
• A vaginal discharge that has no smell but is either thick and white (a bit like cottage cheese) or thin and watery could be thrush (this is not an STI)
• A cottage cheese-like discharge under the foreskin that may smell could be thrush (this is not an STI)
• Unusual discharge can also be caused by vaginitis (this is not an STI)

Stinging, tingling, burning or itching

• Burning and itching in the genital area in men could be chlamydia
• Stinging, tingling or itching in the genital or anal area could be genital herpes
• Itching, swelling and soreness of the penis in men could be trichomoniasis
• Itching, irritation or inflammation in the affected areas could be public lice (you may also be able to see the lice ad their eggs)
• Vaginal itching (as well as swelling and soreness could be trichomoniasis
• Itching (together with swelling and soreness) of the penis could be trichomoniasis
• Itchy inner thighs in women could be trichomoniasis
• Itching and soreness around the vagina entrance could be thrush (this is not an STI)
• Stinging when you wee could be thrush (this is not an STI)
• If the penis becomes sore, itchy and inflamed, this could be thrush (this is not an STI)
• Irritation or itching of the vagina can also be caused by vaginitis (this is not an STI)

Painful swelling of penis, testicles or foreskin

• Painful swelling of testicles could be chlamydia or gonorrhoea (this is rare)
• Painful swelling of the foreskin could be gonorrhoea
• Swelling and soreness of the penis could be trichomoniasis
• The tip of the penis feeling irritated or sore can be caused by urethritis (this is not an STI)

Soreness of swelling of the vagina

• Vaginal itching, swelling and soreness could be trichomoniasis

Pain, burning or an increase in your weeing

• Pain when peeing could be chlamydia
• A burning feeling when peeing could be gonorrhoea
• Pain while weeing (and having sex) in women could be trichomoniasis
• Pain while weeing (and during ejaculation) in men could be trichomoniasis
• Needing to wee more often in men could be trichomoniasis
• A desperate and frequent need to wee but only passing small amounts could be cystitis (this is not an STI)
• Pain, burning or stinging when you wee is a symptom of cystitis (this is not an STI)
• Pain when you wee can also be caused by vaginitis (this is not an STI)
• Wee that is dark, cloudy or smelly or traces of blood when you wee is another symptom of cystitis (this is not an STI but can be a result of an STI)
• Pain, burning or stinging when weeing in men can be caused by urethritis (this is not an STI)
• A frequent need to wee in men can be caused by urethritis (this is not an STI)

Irregular bleeding

• This could be caused by chlamydia
• Light bleeding or spotting can be caused by vaginitis (this is not an STI)
• Irregular bleeding pattern may also be due to contraception

Pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen (tummy)

• Pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen could be gonorrhoea
• Pelvic and lower abdominal pain could be chlamydia
• Lower abdominal(tummy) pain in women could be trichomoniasis
• Pain directly above your pubic area, lower back or abdomen could be cystitis (this is not an STI)
• Pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen could also be for other reasons such as ectopic pregnancy or ovulation

Pain or bleeding during sex

• Abdominal pain in women during vaginal sex could be chlamydia
• Pain during sex (and while weeing) in women could be trichomoniasis
• Pain during ejaculation (and while weeing) in men could be trichomoniasis
• Bleeding during or after sex could be chlamydia
• Pain for women during sex can also be caused by vaginitis (this is not an STI)

A strong, unpleasant smell form the vagina after sex

• This can be a sign of vaginitis (this is not an STI)

Blisters or sores

• Small fluid-filled blisters in the genital or anal area, buttocks or tops of the thighs which burst to leave small, red painful sores, could be genital herpes
• A small painless sore on the vagina, penis or anus could be the first stage of syphilis
• Blisters or sores could also be molluscum

Black powder in your underwear

• This could be pubic lice (this is the droppings from the lice)

Brown eggs on public or other body hair

• This could be pubic lice

Sky-blue spots or very tiny specs of blood on the skin

• This could be pubic lice and is caused by lice bites

Some of the symptoms of STIs can also be caused by other infections, such as thrush, vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis (BV), urethritis, proctitis or cystitis.

Pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen could also be for other reasons such as ectopic pregnancy or ovulation.

If you are experiencing any symptoms, it is best to visit a sexual health service or GP as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment.

You can get tested for STIs sexual health clinics, some GP services and in some other places in the community which have special clinics for certain groups of people. Find your nearest service

STI tests are usually quick, simple and relatively painless. Depending on what you’re being tested for, a test usually involves an examination of your genitals, a swab from inside the vagina or from the tip of the penis and a urine or blood sample. Find out more about getting tested.

If you live in Cornwall, you can also order a test online from SH:24

Depending on your symptoms, STI tests might involve:

• Giving a urine (wee) sample
• Giving a blood sample
• Taking swabs from the urethra (the tube urine comes out of)
• Swabs from the vagina (you can often take these yourself)
• An examination of (a look at) your genitals

If you are over 25, blood samples and swabs for some STIs can be completed at home using STI test kits. If you test positive for an STI, or if you don’t want to test at home, you can visit a sexual health service for testing, treatment and support.

If you are under 25, you can visit a Brook service for an STI test. The doctor or nurse you see will help you to feel comfortable.

First of all, they will discuss with you what tests they think you will need and these tests will probably depend on how you answer some questions about your medical and sexual health.

These questions will include:

• When you last had sex
• Whether you’ve had any unprotected sex
• Whether you have any symptoms

It is recommended that you answer these questions as honestly as possible so you can get the help and advice you need. There’s no need to be embarrassed! The people who work in sexual health clinics have seen and heard it all. Trust us!

You will be asked how you would like to receive your test results, this can be via phone, text message or unmarked post. Depending on the type of test you have, some results are available straight away and you may be given treatment to take away with you on the day, but others will need to be sent away to a laboratory and you will usually be contacted in 1-2 weeks.

If you test positive for an STI, you will be asked to come back to the clinic to discuss treatment. The clinic can also notify your previous sexual partners through ‘partner notification’ if you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself.

Most STIs can be treated with a short course of antibiotics. Some STIs, such as HIV cannot be cured – but they can be treated to prevent them from getting worse.

If you test positive for any STI, your clinic will encourage you to talk to your current partner and sometimes to your previous partners so they can be tested as well. The clinic will help you find the best way to talk to other people if you need to, and can notify even contact them for you through ‘partner notification’ without even mentioning your name.

STIs can be caught during oral (licking, kissing or sucking someone’s genitals), vaginal or anal sex and some can also be passed through sexual touching and skin-to-skin contact – so the best way to avoid STIs is to use a condom every time you have sex.

Even if you are using another method of contraception such as the pill, implant, patch, contraceptive vaginal ring, IUD or IUS – it’s important to use condoms as well to also protect from STIs.