Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are certain infectious diseases passed from person to person. STDs are usually passed during sexual activity, including vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse and oral sex (mouth-to-genital contact). However, these diseases can be passed during any contact involving the genitals of one person and the skin of another. A pregnant woman can even pass an STD on to her child during delivery, as well as before or after birth.

Different types of STDs are caused by different organisms. Many STDs are caused by bacteria and viruses, while others are caused by parasites. There are more than 15 types of STDs, but some are much more common than others. The most common STDs in the United States include:

• Genital herpes
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• HIV/AIDS
• Human papillomavirus

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 19 million STD infections occur in the United States each year. Women, young people and minorities are the groups most often infected with STDs. However, anyone participating in sexual activity is at risk. Certain factors that increase the risk of developing an STD include having multiple sexual partners or having a sexual partner with many partners. People can greatly reduce their risk by using a male latex condom every time they engage in sexual activity. Female condoms can also be used. However, they offer less protection.

Common signs and symptoms of an STD include the appearance of a sore or raised bump in the genital area, discharge from the genital area and burning or itchiness in the genital area. However, in many people STDs do not cause any signs or symptoms. For this reason, all individuals participating in sexual activity should be tested for STDs. This is especially important for women because lack of symptoms is very common in this population.

Early detection is important because untreated STDs can cause serious complications including liver failure, certain cancers, infertility, neurological problems and death. Infection with STDs can also increase a person’s risk of acquiring the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Pregnant women should be tested at their first prenatal visit because STDs can cause serious damage to a baby, including blindness, deafness and mental retardation. In some cases, they may cause death.

Because STDs have different causes, they are treated differently. STDs caused by bacteria are often treated with antibiotics and STDs caused by parasites are often treated with over-the-counter medicines. However, STDs caused by viruses cannot be cured. Instead, they remain in the body, periodically causing symptoms to reappear. For viral STDs, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and reducing the frequency of recurrence.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are among the most common infectious diseases in the United States. Infectious diseases are defined as diseases that can be passed from one person to another.

STDs are normally spread through sexual activities, including vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, oral sex (mouth-to-genital contact) or any other form of intimate genital-to-skin contact. The diseases can also be spread through sharing sexual devices that are not washed or covered with a condom. Many STDs can be passed from a mother to her baby before, during or after birth, and some can be passed through non-sexual contact with the skin of an infected person. In some cases, STDs (e.g., pubic lice, scabies) are also spread through contact with an infected person’s clothes, towels or linens. Although it is uncommon, STDs (e.g., genital herpes) have also been spread through contact with toilet seats and hot tubs.

STDs can travel from person to person in bodily fluids including semen, vaginal fluids and blood. Some can enter the body through tiny cuts or tears in the mouth, anus or genitals. STDs that are spread through blood, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis may also be transmitted through sharing needles used for injecting intravenous drugs. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 15.3 million new cases of STDs are reported each year in the United States. However, many STDs go undiagnosed and unreported. Therefore, the CDC estimates that a total of 19 million STD infections occur in the United States each year.

Anyone engaging in sexual activity is at risk of contracting an STD. This includes women who have sex with women. However, certain populations are more likely to acquire the diseases. According to the CDC, STDs disproportionately affect women, infants, young people and minorities. Of these groups, young people are particularly affected. Nearly half of all STD cases occur among young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 years, and nearly two-thirds of all STDs occur in people under the age of 25.

STDs are passed more often from men to women than the reverse because the exposed surface area is larger in women. In addition, the vagina acts like a reservoir that prolongs contact with infectious fluids. Microscopic injuries during intercourse are also more common in women than in men.

The high rate of STD infection may be the result of many factors including young adults becoming sexually active at a younger age. In addition, young people are more likely to have multiple sexual partners and are more likely to have unprotected sex. Also, the divorce rate is increasing, and there appears to be a link between divorce and unsafe sexual practices.

Complications of the diseases vary. Although STDs are often linked with unpleasant symptoms including sores and foul smelling discharge, they can also cause a variety of serious complications such as liver failure, certain cancers and neurological problems. Infection with certain diseases may also result in death, with HIV being the deadliest STD.

In general, complications caused by STDs tend to be more severe for women. A common complication of many STDs in women is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can result in chronic pelvic pain, infertility and ectopic pregnancy (a potentially fatal condition in which a fertilized egg develops outside the uterus).

Another major complication of having an STD is that it increases a person’s risk of acquiring the HIV virus. According to the CDC, people who are infected with STDs are at least two to five times more likely to acquire HIV when exposed to the virus during sexual contact. The risk of infection is increased because the action of the disease in the body places tissues at risk for further infection. In addition, people with HIV who are also infected with another STD are more likely to transmit the HIV virus through sexual contact.

Women with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can infect their babies before, during or after birth. Some STDs like syphilis cross the placenta, infecting the fetus while it is in the uterus. Others like herpes, gonorrhea and chlamydia can be transmitted during delivery as the baby passes through the birth canal (vagina). In addition, HIV can infect the baby during breastfeeding.

Infection with an STD can cause a number of serious complications for a baby, including:

• Eye disorders, including conjunctivitis (“pink eye”) and blindness
  
  
• Deafness
  
  
• Bone deformities
  
  
• Mental retardation
  
  
• Stillbirth
  
  
• Low birth weight (less than five pounds, 8 ounces, or 2,500 grams)
  
  
• Pneumonia
  
  
• Liver disorders, including acute hepatitis, cirrhosis and chronic liver disease
  
  
• Neonatal sepsis (bacterial infection in the bloodstream)
  
  
• Neurologic damage (e.g., brain damage, lack of coordination)
  
  
• Meningitis (an infection that causes inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord)
  
  
• Death

A pregnant woman with an STD may also experience early onset of labor, premature rupture of the membranes surrounding the baby in the uterus and uterine infection after delivery. In addition, women who contract an STD around the time of pregnancy appear to be at increased risk of having a child that will develop leukemia (cancer of the blood and bone marrow), according to recent findings. More research needs to be done to confirm this link. Many of these complications can be prevented when the mother’s disease is detected before birth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all pregnant women be screened for STDs on their first prenatal visit to an obstetrician-gynecologist (ObGyn). Some conditions may be successfully treated if the disease is found in the baby soon after birth.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are caused by three types of organisms. These organisms include:

• Parasites. These are very small organisms that get nourishment from the person they infect (the host). Examples of sexually transmitted parasites include:
  
  
• Pubic lice. Also known as “crabs” or Phthirus pubis, pubic lice are parasitic insects usually found in the genital area on pubic hair. However, they may occasionally be found on other areas of coarse body hair, including the legs, armpits, mustache, beard, eyebrows or eyelashes. Pubic lice are most often spread through sexual contact, including vaginal intercourse and anal intercourse. Although rarely, the parasites may also spread through contact with an infected person’s bed linens, towels or clothes. Pubic lice are most often found in adolescents, and are characterized by moderate to severe itching in the area covered by pubic hair. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), approximately 3 million new cases occur in the Unites States each year.
  
  
• Trichomoniasis. This STD is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, a single-celled parasite that most commonly affects the vagina in women and the urethra in men. Transmission may occur during penis-to-vagina or vulva-to-vulva contact. It may also be spread through contact with damp, moist objects such as towels or wet clothing. Trichomoniasis is the most common curable STD in young women. Trichomoniasis increases the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission.
  
  
• Scabies. This STD is caused by infestation with Sarcoptes scabei, a microscopic mite. It may be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal and anal intercourse, or it may result from sharing clothes, towels or bedding. Scabies is characterized by small bumps or rashes on the skin and intense itching. Possible complications include secondary infections caused by skin damage from frequent scratching.
  
  
• Viruses. These complex molecules invade the cells of their host, where they are capable of growing and multiplying. Viral STDs are commonly transmitted during sexual activity, including vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse and oral sex (mouth-to-genital contact).
  
  
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is carried in blood, semen and vaginal fluids. In addition to being transmitted sexually, HIV may also be spread by sharing needles used to inject intravenous drugs, during blood transfusions, or from mother to child (during delivery or breastfeeding). According to the CDC, approximately 1 million people in the United States are currently infected with HIV (which impairs the body’s ability to fight infection)/AIDS, with 24 to 27 percent undiagnosed and unaware of their HIV infection. People with AIDS are highly susceptible to many life-threatening diseases and certain forms of cancer.
  
  
• Genital herpes. This STD is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The two types of HSV include type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Both types can cause genital herpes but most cases are caused by HSV-2. The viruses are spread through contact with sores during sexual activity. They may also be spread through contact with skin that does not appear to be broken or have a sore, or from an infected woman to her infant during delivery. The herpes virus also causes the typical cold sore. Performing oral sex while having an active cold sore can cause transmission of the virus to the partner’s genital area. Although rare, genital herpes can also be transmitted through contact with a toilet seat or hot tub. 
  
  Although many people do not experience any signs or symptoms, genital herpes is often characterized by the appearance of blisters on or around the genitals. According to the CDC, genital herpes affects about 45 million Americans. Genital herpes increases the risk of HIV transmission.
  
  
• Viral hepatitis. There are numerous types of hepatitis viruses, including the hepatitis A, B, C, D and E virus. Although the hepatitis B, C and D viruses can all be transmitted through sexual activity, the B virus is most easily transmitted in this manner. The CDC estimates that between 120,000 and 200,000 new cases of hepatitis B occur each year. Of these cases, as many as half are transmitted through sexual contact. Infection with the hepatitis B virus can result in severe complications including chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
  
  
• Human papillomavirus (HPV). This STD is caused by a group of more than 100 types of viruses, including the viruses that cause common skin warts. Of these various strains, more than 30 are sexually transmitted and live only in genital tissue. HPV may also be spread through skin-to-skin contact involving the genital area and, in rare cases, from mother to infant during delivery. HPV usually causes no symptoms. However, patients may develop small, flesh-colored bumps. HPV can infect the vaginal lining, vulva, cervix, anus, rectum, mouth and throat. It can also infect the penis and scrotum in men. Certain types of HPV may also cause cervical dysplasia (precancerous changes in the cervix). According to the CDC, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired the infection by the age of 50 years and most sexually active people will acquire the infection at some point during their lifetime. Although most people are exposed to the cell-changing types of HPV at some point in their lives, not everyone will develop abnormal cell changes. 
  
  
• Bacteria. These single-celled organisms cling together in colonies to feed from the body of their host. They are commonly transmitted through sexual activity, including vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse and oral sex. Many sexually transmitted bacterial infections also increase the risk of HIV transmission. Examples of sexually transmitted bacterial infections include:
  
  
• Chlamydia. This STD is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. In addition to being transmitted sexually, chlamydia can also be passed from an infected woman to her fetus during vaginal childbirth. In women, the bacterium typically infects the cervix and the urethra and may spread to the fallopian tubes and rectum. In men, the disease affects the penis and testicles. Following anal or oral sex, the rectum or throat may become infected. Sexually active teenage girls and young women are particularly susceptible to infection because their cervixes are not fully mature, allowing bacteria to penetrate more easily. Left untreated, chlamydia may cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a major cause of infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Complications among men are rare. 
  
  
• Gonorrhea. This STD is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhea, which can easily grow and multiply in warm moist areas of the body, including a woman’s cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes. It can also grow in the urethra, mouth, throat, eyes and anus. In some cases, it may spread further to the blood or joints. In addition to being transmitted through sexual contact, gonorrhea can be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby during delivery. Gonorrhea is characterized by thick discharge from the vagina or penis. The most common and serious complications of the infection occur in women, and include PID, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. In men, the disease can lead to epididymitis, a condition of the testicles that can result in infertility.
  
  
• Syphilis. This STD is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which is passed through contact with a syphilis sore. Sores mainly appear on the external genitals, vagina and anus or in the rectum. They may also appear on the lips, in the mouth or on the hands. Syphilis may also be passed from a woman to her child during delivery. Left untreated, syphilis may progress to a rash, and eventually affect the heart and central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). The CDC estimates that more than 60 percent of all reported primary and secondary syphilis (early stages of the disease that indicate recent infection) cases occur among men who have sex with other men. Rates are declining among African Americans and women. 
  
  
• Chancroid. This STD is caused by the bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi. Chancroid is primarily found in developing and third world countries in Africa and Asia. Generally it is rare in the United States, with only a few hundred cases diagnosed each year. However, chancroid occurs in periodic outbreaks in the United States, the last of which was in the 1980s. Outbreaks most often occur among minority populations in the inner cities, especially in the southern and eastern sections of the country. Chancroid is characterized by the development of one or more small bumps in the genital area that become ulcers within one day of their appearance. The lesions may resemble genital herpes or syphilis ulcers.
  
  
• Granuloma inguinale. This STD is caused by the bacterium Calymmatobacterium granulomatis. It is characterized by the appearance of lesions in the genital or anal area. Granuloma inguinale is most common in Southeast India, Guyana and New Guinea. It rarely occurs in the United States, with only about 100 cases being reported each year. According to the National Institutes of Health, men are infected nearly twice as often as women, and most infections occur among people between the ages of 20 and 40 years. Anal intercourse is considered the most frequent source of transmission. Complications of this STD may include destruction and scarring of the genitals, genital depigmentation (loss of pigment in the genital area) and permanent genital swelling. In some cases, the disease may spread throughout the body. This may result in death from secondary complications including heart failure, pneumonia or hemorrhage. If treated early, complications can be avoided.

Any woman or man participating in sexual activity is at risk of becoming infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). However, there are certain factors that increase this risk including:

• Participating in unprotected vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse or oral sex (mouth-to-genital contact).
  
  
• Having multiple sexual partners. The more sexual partners a person has, the greater their risk of being exposed to an STD. Having multiple partners also makes it less likely to know about each partner’s sexual history and drug habits.
  
  
• Having a sexual partner with a history of many sexual partners.
  
  
• Not knowing the sexual history of all sexual partners. 
  
  
• Illegal intravenous drug use. HIV/AIDS and some other STDs can be transmitted by sharing I.V. needles.   

Common signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) include:

• Lower abdominal pain
• Painful urination or bowel movements
• Unusual discharge from the vagina or penis
• Pain in the pelvic area or during intercourse
• Burning or itching in the genital area
• Sores, blisters or warts in the genital, anal or oral areas
• Lumps in the genital or anal areas
• Foul smell from the genital area

Other possible signs and symptoms of STDs include:

• Pain in the anus (in people who participate in anal intercourse)
  
  
• Sore throat (in people who participate in oral sex [mouth-to-genital contact])
  
  
• Scaly rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet (e.g., syphilis)
  
  
• Dark colored urine or loose, light-colored stools
  
  
• Yellow eyes and skin (jaundice)
  
  
• Swollen glands
  
  
• Fever or night sweats
  
  
• Body aches
  
  
• Unusual infections
  
  
• Unexplained fatigue (extreme tiredness) or weight loss
  

It is recommended that women learn to recognize the common signs and symptoms of STDs. If the symptoms develop, a physician should be contacted immediately. Patients should not wait for the symptoms to disappear on their own. Many common STD symptoms, such as sores, rashes and discharge, disappear. However, this does not indicate that the condition has been cured. Many STDs continue to progress without symptoms, only to emerge at another point. 

Some of the common signs and symptoms of STDs mimic those caused by urinary tract infections (UTI) and vaginal infections. As a result, sexually active women with a new sex partner, and those who are not in monogamous relationships, may want to be tested for STDs when symptoms of these other conditions develop.

Although the recognition of symptoms allows a disease to be diagnosed earlier, many STDs have no symptoms or have symptoms that are not easily recognizable. The lack of symptoms is especially common in women.  

All sexually active people are encouraged to have regular medical check-ups and STD screening tests. The earlier an STD is diagnosed, the earlier treatment for the disease can begin. Early treatment is important because STDs may cause serious complications if left untreated.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in women are commonly diagnosed before symptoms develop during routine medical check-ups or when a woman requests testing. When symptoms are present, the obstetrician-gynecologist (ObGyn) may perform a number of tests to determine the exact type of STD.

To diagnose an STD, the physician will take the patient’s medical history, including detailed information about their sexual history. The physician will then perform a complete physical examination, including a pelvic examination. During the exam, the physician will carefully inspect the genital area, oral cavity and rectum. If sores or discharge are present, the physician may use a swab to collect samples for examination. The samples will then be tested for the presence of various microorganisms.

During the pelvic exam, swabs of the vagina may be taken. A Pap smear, or a swab of the cervix, may also be taken. The samples will then be checked for infections. Urine tests and blood tests may also be ordered to detect or rule out certain diseases, including HIV/AIDS and syphilis.

Once an STD is diagnosed, a woman will need to inform her present and past sexual partner(s) about the diagnosis. This is necessary because all sexual partners will require testing and treatment. Informing sexual partners also prevents the transmission of the disease to other people or the reinfection of partners who have already received treatment. 

The method used to treat a sexually transmitted disease (STD) depends on the cause of the disease. STDs caused by bacteria, such as chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea, are usually treated with antibiotics. STDs caused by parasites are also treated with medications or over-the-counter drugs. Current medicine allows for most STDs caused by bacteria and parasites to be cured when treated early.

STDs caused by viruses, such as HIV/AIDS, genital herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV), are treated differently then those caused by bacteria or parasites because usually they cannot be cured. Instead, medical treatment is used to control the disease. Drugs may be used to reduce the severity of symptoms and the frequency of recurrences, but they are often unsuccessful. For a disease such as HPV, which may cause the development of warts on the skin, treatment may focus on removing the warts with chemicals or surgery. In women who have HPV with no symptoms, the infection typically goes away without treatment.

Having a curable STD may not prevent a person from developing the disease again. Individuals being treated for an STD are encouraged to abstain from all sexual activity until treatment is complete. Abstinence is necessary during this period to prevent reinfection.    

Prevention methods for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) include:

• Correctly using a male latex or polyurethane condom with every act of vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse and oral sex (mouth-to-genital contact). Although male latex condoms are not 100 percent effective, they significantly reduce the risk of transmission. Female condoms offer some protection from STDs, but are not as effective as male latex condoms. Condoms do not provide protection against sores on areas not covered by the condom. Using a water based lubricant with condoms will reduce breakage.
  
  
• Refusing to have sex with someone who will not wear a condom.
  
  
• Washing the vagina with soap and water after sexual activity. This may help to eliminate parasites and bacteria that may have entered the vagina.
  
  
• Urinating after sexual activity. This may help to eliminate bacteria that may have entered the urethra.
  
  
• Performing regular genital self-examinations to become familiar with the normal appearance of the genitals. This knowledge will help to identify any symptoms that may develop if a person is exposed to an STD.
  
  
• Abstaining from sex during menstruation. During menstruation, women who have HIV/AIDS are more infectious and women who do not have the disease are more likely to become infected. Using a condom during menstruation can reduce this risk.
  
  
• Avoiding douching. Douching removes the protective bacteria normally found in the vagina. As a result, a woman is more likely to become infected by an STD.
  
  
• Avoiding anal intercourse. The rectum and anus contain a large amount of bacteria. Contact with these bacteria can cause STDs in both women and men. In addition, the mouth, vagina and penis should not be exposed to any object that has been in contact with an anus or rectum. If anal intercourse is preferred, a male latex condom should always be used.
  
  
• Using caution when sharing sex toys. Because STDs can be transmitted through shared bodily fluids, individuals should use condoms with sex toys when appropriate.

The only 100 percent effective way of preventing STDs is abstinence (not engaging in any form of sexual activity at all). For people who choose to participate in sexual activity, the risk can be lowered by using condoms and limiting their number of sexual partners. The risk is significantly lowered by having one sexual partner who does not have any other sexual partners and who does not have an STD.

In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine last year. The vaccine offers protection against two types of HPV that cause the majority of cell changes (dysplasia) that lead to cervical cancer. The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended the vaccine series be given to 11-12 year old girls, but it added that it could be started as early as nine years old if necessary. Ideally, the vaccine should be given before females are sexually-active. Their recommendations also include giving the vaccine to women aged 13 to 25 years because of its protective benefits. The vaccine is considered to be the best prevention method of genital HPV for females.

Women also are encouraged to discuss their sexual history with their sexual partner and to ask their partner about their history. These discussions are important regardless of gender. Women who have sex with women are also at risk for STDs. Partners should also discuss drug habits, and whether testing for STDs is necessary. These screening tests can be conducted during routine medical check-ups. Testing is particularly important at the beginning of a new sexual relationship. 

Because a partner may be dishonest about their drug use, sexual history or the fact they have been tested, women are encouraged to look for signs and symptoms of STDs on their partner. Although many STDs do not always have noticeable symptoms, a woman should never engage in sexual activity with a partner who is visibly showing symptoms of an STD. In addition, women are encouraged to abstain from engaging in sexual activity with a partner who is being treated for a curable STD. The disease may be transmitted at any time until the course of treatment is complete.

Preparing questions in advance can help patients have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their conditions. Patients may wish to ask their doctor or healthcare professional the following questions about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs):

1. What STDs present the greatest risk to me?
   
   
2. How can I tell if I’m infected with an STD?
   
   
3. How can I tell if my partner is infected with an STD?
   
   
4. How often should I be tested for STDs?
   
   
5. How will I be tested for STDs?
   
   
6. What are the treatment options for my STD?
   
   
7. What are the risks associated with the treatment of my STD?
   
   
8. When will I see improvement in my condition?
   
   
9. How long must I abstain from sexual relations?
   
   
10. What are the chances of an STD recurrence?
    
    
11. How will the STD affect my chances of getting pregnant?
    
    
12. What will be done to prevent complications during birth if I have an STD?
    
    
13. I’m pregnant. How will my STD affect my baby?