Urine test. Your doctor may request a urine sample to determine whether you have chlamydia and gonorrhea, the two most common STDs. You will urinate in a cup and then the doctor will send the cup to the lab for tests. [2] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source . Blood sample. A blood sample can show whether you have syphilis, herpes, HIV, and hepatitis infections. [3] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source A health care worker will prick you with a needle to take some blood and run the tests. Pap smear. For individuals with vaginas who do not show symptoms, this is the only way to detect human papillomavirus. If your pap smear shows unusual changes, a DNA test can reveal HPV. This test is only available for those with vaginas. [4] X Research source There is currently no reliable way to test HPV in those without vaginas or in other orifices. [5] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Swab test. A swab of an infected area can determine if you have trichomoniasis. Your healthcare provider will take a swab of cotton and rub it on the infected area, and send it to the lab for tests. Since only 30% of people with trichomoniasis develop symptoms, getting tested is often the only way of knowing if you have it. [6] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Swab tests can also be used to test for chlamydia and gonorrhea as well as herpes.
Gonorrhea in females and males with increased discharge from genitals (usually white, yellow, or greenish) or burning sensation during urination. Those with vaginas may also experience menstrual irregularities and swelling of the vulva. Four out of five women and one out of 10 men who have gonorrhea do not have symptoms. [7] X Research source Trichomoniasis may be present in both females and males with burning urination or in females with unusual vaginal odor and discharge (clear, white, or yellowish). However, about 70% of infected people do not have any signs or symptoms. [8] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Chlamydia may be present in females and males with discharge or painful urination. [9] X Research source Those with vaginas may also experience abdominal pain and the urge to urinate more than usual. Just keep in mind that 70-95% of women and 90% of men who have chlamydia will not exhibit symptoms. [10] X Research source Bacterial vaginosis in individuals with vaginas with milky discharge and a fishy odor.
Painless sores may indicate that either a male or female has contracted syphilis in its primary stage. These sores (called chancres) usually appear near the genital areas and they can appear about three weeks to 90 days after infection. [11] X Research source Painful blisters or sores in genital areas or the mouth may indicate that either and male or female has contracted herpes. These blisters can appear as early as two days after contraction and last one to two weeks. [12] X Research source Genital warts can indicate that either a male or female has contracted human papilloma virus. They usually appear as a small bump or groups of bumps in the genital area. They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. [13] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection and nearly all sexually active people get infected with HPV at some point in their lives. [14] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source In most cases, HPV goes away on its own, but when it doesn’t, certain types of HPV can cause cervical cancer in individuals with a vagina / uterus. [15] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
For example, exhibiting flu-like symptoms after sex can be indicative of syphilis or HIV in either men or women. [17] X Research source
If you do have herpes, your symptoms will likely appear two to 20 days after infection. [19] X Research source
About one out of two adults who have hepatitis never have symptoms, but if they do appear, they will occur between 6 weeks and 6 months after infection. [21] X Research source
If trichomoniasis symptoms develop, they will occur in three to 28 days. [22] X Research source If bacterial vaginosis symptoms develop, they will occur anywhere from 12 hours to five days. [23] X Research source Bacterial vaginosis can also be contracted through other means besides sexual contact (such as using a copper coil as a contraception means, smoking, or taking frequent bubble baths), therefore there is debate on whether it should be classified as an STD. [24] X Research source
Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to treat your condition or at least to lessen the severity of your symptoms. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, or herpes. However, there are treatments available to help mitigate symptoms.
Abstain. The only sure way to ensure that you do not contract an STD is to abstain from oral, vaginal, and anal sex. Use protection. If you do engage in sexual activities, use a latex condom to minimize the possibility of contracting an STD. Be monogamous. One of the most reliable ways to avoid STDs is to be in a mutually monogamous relationship. Have an open conversation with any partner about whether they have been tested before engaging in any activities. Get vaccinated. For hepatitis B and HPV, you can be vaccinated. This helps ensure that you will not contract the diseases even if you do come into contact with them during sex. The hepatitis B vaccination is usually administer to infants at birth, but be sure to check. The HPV vaccination consists of 3-dose series of shots and will protect against the most common forms of HPV. [27] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
