Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are more common than you might expect. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 26 million new cases occur each year in the United States.
Daniel McDyer, MD, and Julian Stephen Suhrer, MD, provide comprehensive STD testing at Florida Woman Care of Jacksonville. We offer compassionate, judgment-free care, with your comfort as our top priority.
These infections can present with a wide range of symptoms — some obvious and others that are easily missed. Do you know what to look for? Here are four subtle signs that you might have an STD.
It’s completely normal to experience some changes in vaginal discharge throughout your cycle and as you get older. For instance, you might notice differences in the color, texture, or amount of discharge around your period, ovulation, or during perimenopause.
However, dramatic or persistent changes warrant a professional evaluation. A strong odor or frothy, yellow, or greenish appearance — especially when accompanied by other symptoms — could indicate an STD like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis.
Understanding what “normal” looks like for you is the key to catching potential issues early. Listen to your body, and pay attention when something seems out of the ordinary.
A burning sensation when you go to the bathroom may sound like a symptom of a urinary tract infection (UTI), but that’s not the only possible cause. Painful urination can be a sign of several common STDs, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, and genital herpes.
While you might be tempted to dismiss persistent pelvic or lower abdominal pain as period cramps or another benign issue, this can also be a red flag for an STD. It may indicate pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious condition that develops when an untreated infection spreads to the internal reproductive organs.
Bleeding or spotting between periods? Hormonal fluctuations are usually behind irregular bleeding, but when it happens often — especially after sex — it could signal something more serious.
Infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea can irritate and inflame the cervix, making the tissue more sensitive and prone to bleeding. Blisters or sores from an outbreak of genital herpes, or a syphilis chancre (a small sore at the site of a syphilis infection) may also bleed if disturbed during intercourse or other contact.
While severe pain is an obvious sign that something is wrong, you shouldn’t ignore any level of discomfort during or immediately after sex. A subtle ache or twinge may be due to a lack of lubrication, or it could be a sign of irritation or inflammation in the cervix or other reproductive organs.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms or any other changes to your reproductive health, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We provide accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, whether you’re dealing with an STD or another issue entirely. Call or click to schedule an appointment at Florida Woman Care of Jacksonville in Jacksonville, Florida, today.
