Although most STDs have no visible STD symptoms and are difficult to diagnose without a good STD test, there are several that can cause STD sores around the genital area. When you notice an unsightly sore or bump you may understandably fear the worst, but if you know what you’re looking for, you’ll have a better idea of how to handle the situation if it arises. STD sores can come in different shapes, sizes, and colors and are not indicative of a single STD. And some blisters, bumps and sores – even those in the genital region – are not caused by STDs at all and are nothing to worry about. Ultimately, it is always best to get tested and receive accurate results to alleviate your concerns.
Types of STD Sores
STD sores usually manifest as vaginal sores, penile sores, or oral sores. Although they are often painful, they can often be mistaken for ingrown hairs, acne, or other conditions.
Vaginal STD sores
Vaginal sores can certainly be a sign of an STD, but that’s not always the case. That is, vaginal sores do not always equal an STD and STDs do not always equal vaginal sores. We’ll get into some of the specific STDs and associated sores in a moment, but it’s important to know that lots of bumps or spots on or around the vagina are not signs of an STD. And often they are not a cause for any serious concern. Non-STD sores on or around the vagina can be eczema, cysts, ingrown hairs, vulvovaginitis, an infected scratch, yeast infections, or a number of other easily treatable conditions. If you are concerned about a sudden abnormality in or around the vagina, it is best to consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis and, if necessary, an appropriate treatment regimen.
STD sores in the penis
It’s not at all uncommon for STDs spread through skin-to-skin contact to cause bumps, sores, blisters, rashes, or other unsightly spots on or near the penis. We’ll get into these types of cases and what they mean in a moment. But first, it’s important to know that not every penis pain or soreness is the result of an STD, and most of them don’t pose any serious problem. While it’s understandable to fear the worst at the first sight of a noticeable abnormality, bumps around the penis can be attributed to any of the following: inflamed hair follicles, pimples, psoriasis, lichen sclerosus, or other minor conditions. If you’re ever concerned about a sore penis, a bump, a rash, or anything unusual, it’s best to consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis and, if applicable, an effective treatment regimen.
Oral STD sores
Mouth ulcers can be the result of a sexually transmitted viral infection – a result of the body’s immune system response, but are not necessarily a clear indication of an infection. While these sores in or around the mouth can be due to an STD, they can also be due to lip biting, burns, or eating acidic foods such as citrus fruits or sour candies. Mouth ulcers due to an STD usually appear on or around the lips, but can also occur inside the mouth. As with sore spots on or around the vagina or penis, the only definitive way to diagnose an oral STD is to get tested.
STDs that cause ulcers
There are three common STDs that cause STD sores: syphilis, herpes, and HPV. Each of these three sexually transmitted diseases causes its own type of sores that are sometimes easy to tell apart if you look closely, but more often the expert diagnosis is made by a medical professional. Each of these STDs mentioned above is highly contagious, and it is always best to refrain from sexual activity if you have a sore that may be caused by a virus or infection.
Keep in mind that while any of these three STDs can cause visual spots and sores, they are usually asymptomatic. This means that people can unknowingly carry the infection and potentially pass it on to sexual partners. The only way to know for sure whether you have contracted syphilis, herpes, HPV, or another sexually transmitted disease is to utilize the services of a reputable STD testing provider.
Syphilis sores
One or more small sores or sores near the mouth or genital area (depending on where the bacteria entered the body) are usually the first visible sign of syphilis in men and women. Syphilis sores usually appear about three weeks after exposure. These sores are generally firm and round, are usually not painful, and can be easily overlooked depending on their exact location on the body. If syphilis goes undetected and untreated, it can develop into secondary syphilis, which can lead to more obvious rashes on the infected areas. Chances and rashes are highly contagious and are spread through sexual activity. So if you are affected by this, it is best to refrain from sexual contact until the infection is completely treated and gone. Syphilis sores usually clear up on their own within three to six weeks, but even when they do, the body is not free of the infection until it is properly treated with prescription medications.
(NOTE: Syphilis is more often than not asymptomatic, so the mere absence of an ulcer does not mean your body is free of the infection. The only way to know for sure if you have contracted syphilis is to get tested .)
Herpes sores
Although they may start as small bumps that resemble pimples, herpes sores typically develop into painful and pus-filled blisters on the mouth (oral herpes), genitals (genital herpes), or anus (anal herpes). These infections can occur sporadically and vary in severity, although your first outbreak will typically be the most intense in both appearance and sensitivity. Once your body gets used to the virus, subsequent breakouts, if they occur, are usually not that bad. Herpes sores can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications, but unfortunately, there is no cure or vaccine that will completely rid or protect the body from the virus. Herpes sores are highly contagious and are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. So if you are experiencing a pimple, it is important to avoid kissing and sexual activity until the pimple has completely disappeared. Contrary to urban legend, the virus cannot live outside a human host for more than a few seconds, so you can’t contract herpes from a toilet seat, a shared drink, or any other touched surface.
(NOTE: Although sporadic breakouts are common in people with the herpes virus, some who contract the virus may not show any visible sign for their entire lives. The only way to know for sure if you have contracted the herpes virus is to get tested.)
HPV sores
HPV or human papillomavirus is another STD known to cause sores on the body, but like many STDs, the visible symptoms are not always obvious and it is best to get tested just to be sure. The most common symptoms, when they appear, are small, hard sores called “warts.” These warts have a typical brown appearance and can have different shapes and textures. Although there is no cure for HPV, warts can be treated by your doctor. And even if left untreated, these warts will generally disappear on their own between two months and two years.
Conclusion
In summary: not every spot or ‘sore spot’ on or around the genitals should be an immediate warning sign. It’s important to pay attention and be proactive when it comes to identifying and seeking treatment for bumps in the genital region, but there’s no need to panic either. Even if they are incurable, most STDs are manageable and treatable to some extent. And remember: regardless of whether or not STD sores are present, the best and ONLY way to properly diagnose an STD is to find a reputable STD testing center and get tested.