While neither gender is immune to sexually transmitted infections (STDs), there is a clear difference in the impact STDs have on men and women: in addition to being more likely to suffer from long-term health complications, women also have more risk of health complications. infertility. Women of childbearing potential can transmit the STD to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth, highlighting the serious impact an STD can have on women.
What are the most common STDs in women?
The road to STD prevention starts with awareness of some common STDs that affect women and how they are transmitted. In particular, it is useful to know the symptoms that usually accompany each disease and the steps that can be taken to prevent their occurrence. Below is an STD list for women that highlights the most common STDs that affect women.
Chlamydia
There were 1.8 million cases of chlamydia reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2018, making it the most commonly reported STD, and the rate of chlamydia in women is twice as high as in men. Women under the age of 25 account for nearly half of all cases, underscoring the disease’s prevalence among women in high school and college.
The main symptoms include painful or frequent urination, abnormal vaginal discharge, painful intercourse, and bleeding between menstrual cycles, but the majority of women with chlamydia have no symptoms. Untreated chlamydia can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which can lead to infertility. Fortunately, chlamydia can be cured with the right medications.
Gonorrhea
“The number of cases of gonorrhea among women has increased for several consecutive years – from 232,587 cases in 2017 to 241,074 cases in 2018.” – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Gonorrhea tops the STD list for women, and the infection rate is highest for women under the age of 25.
The symptoms are very similar to those associated with chlamydia and include increased vaginal discharge, painful intercourse, pain during urination, and bleeding between periods. Like chlamydia, gonorrhea usually causes no symptoms and can lead to PID and infertility. Antibiotics can cure gonorrhea. However, drug resistance has become a problem, making it especially important that antibiotics are taken as prescribed.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a growing concern as it becomes more common: cases among women of childbearing age increased by 36 percent between 2017 and 2018. Untreated syphilis can cause serious organ damage and can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy. For these reasons, it is crucial that women are tested and treated as quickly as possible.
The disease can spread during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The first symptom of syphilis is usually the development of one or more sores on the genitals or even the mouth. As the sores heal, people may develop a rash and flu-like symptoms. Although syphilis can be cured if caught early enough, it can cause permanent damage to the brain and heart if treatment is delayed.
Herpes
“Genital herpes symptoms may come and go, but the virus remains in your body even after all signs of the infection are gone. The virus becomes ‘active’ from time to time, leading to an outbreak. Some people only have an outbreak once or twice. Other people may have four or five outbreaks in a year.” – Office of Women’s Health
Women who get herpes often don’t realize they have the disease. Some people develop flu-like symptoms when they first become infected. When herpes sores develop, they first look like blisters and then become painful. They can occur on the genitals or in or around the mouth. There is no cure for herpes, but medications can help people reduce the number and severity of outbreaks.
Trichomoniasis
Nicknamed “Trich,” trichomoniasis is caused by a single-celled parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Characteristic symptoms include foul-smelling vaginal discharge that comes in different colors, such as yellow, white or green. Women may also notice redness on or around the vagina. They may also notice pain with sex or urination. Antibiotics treat trichomoniasis easily.
What should you do if you are a woman and may have an STD?
As discussed above, an STD can have serious and irreversible consequences for a woman if left untreated. The only way to confirm whether or not you have an STD is to get tested and diagnosed by a trained medical professional.
If you are concerned that you may have an STD, it is best to visit a trusted laboratory near you for a stress-free STD test. The sexual health professionals with Priority STD Testing are available to discuss your concerns and provide you with a safe, private testing experience. You can get started on the path to sexual health by following these simple steps with Priority STD Testing:
Step one: Find a testing center near you
You can quickly and easily find a testing center near you. Simply enter your zip code and a list of testing centers near you will appear. With 4,000 centers across the country, you can choose from an extensive range of FDA-approved testing facilities close to your home.
Step two: Select the tests you want to run
At Priority STD Testing, we realize that no two women are exactly the same when it comes to their sexual behavior and partners. We offer a wide range of STD tests to complement our comprehensive 10-panel STD test, which tests for all STDs discussed above and others. Or you may find that our Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Panel best suits your needs. If you would like an explanation of the available testing options, we will be happy to provide you with advice.
Step three: Place your order online
The STD testing process may seem complicated, but our online platform is easy to understand and navigate. Once you have selected your test center and the tests you want, you can place your order online. You can choose from several convenient payment options, including all major credit cards, debit cards and prepaid gift cards. You can also use your Health Savings Account or Flex Spending Account to cover the payment.
Step four: Complete the testing process
The Priority STD Testing team offers testing solutions that fit your busy schedule and create peace of mind. Whether you’re looking for a lab that offers STD testing on Saturdays so as not to disrupt your work schedule, or same-day STD testing so you can receive your results as quickly as possible, Priority STD Testing is here to help . If the test result is positive, we even offer treatment guidance.
It comes down to
Women who contract an STD are at risk of life-changing consequences. However, with prompt diagnosis and treatment, symptoms can be eliminated and some STDs are even curable. Options like same-day testing can put you on the path to rapid diagnosis and treatment. We encourage you to visit one of our 4,000 facilities across the United States to discover why we are America’s most trusted STD testing provider. We are happy to help you improve your sexual health!