Sexually Transmitted Disease (STDs) are known to have a variety of signs and symptoms - many of which can be slightly more irritating than others. Having said that, a number of STDs do tend to show similar symptoms.
From itching to discharge, these are some of the common symptoms of STDs [1]:
- Pain or itching in the genital area
- Painful urination
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Unusual discharge
- Lumps, bumps or sores
If you believe that you may have contracted an STD, or you're not experiencing symptoms but still suspect something's up - first of all, remember that they're extremely common and nothing to be embarrassed about!
Secondly, it's never been more simple to check for STDs; you have the option of visiting your local doctor or checking from the comfort of your own home with our range of at-home Sexual Health Tests.
Common symptoms of STDs
Many STDs are infamous for showing no symptoms at all - making regular testing, early detection and treatment crucial to avoid any potential long term circumstances.
When STDs do show symptoms, there are some common ones to keep an eye out for, each of which are associated with specific STDs [2].
Pain or itching in the genital area
- Chlamydia
- Trichomoniasis
- Herpes
Painful urination
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Trichomoniasis
- Herpes
Pain during sexual intercourse
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Trichomoniasis
- Herpes
Unusual discharge
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Trichomoniasis
Lumps, bumps or sores
- Syphilis
- Herpes
STDs can take a period of time to become detectable. You should wait at least 4 weeks from the time of potential exposure to infection before taking a test.
You should consider getting tested if:
- You become sexually active
- You have had unprotected sex
- You are experiencing symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection
- You are entering into a new sexual relationship
You have received a notification from a previous partner that they are infected (STIs can remain dormant for years and/ or take up to three weeks to become detectable.)
If you would prefer to check for an STD from home, you can do so with our range of at-home STI tests which detect some of the most common infections with online results in just 5 days.
If you have any questions regarding your results, our team of dedicated nurses are available to offer clarity. Plus, if you happen to test positive, we can provide a prescription free of charge for a number of STDs.
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