5 Signs It Is Time To Get Tested For An STD

Sexually transmitted diseases are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. They are usually spread through unprotected sex, but they can also be spread through skin-to-skin contact or sharing contaminated needles.

It is very important to get tested for STDs if you think that you may have been exposed to one. Many STDs can be cured with antibiotics. Some, like HIV, have no cure. In addition, if left untreated, STDs can cause serious health problems, including infertility, cancer, and, in the more severe cases, death.

If you do not know whether you should get tested for an STD, you should be on the lookout for the most common signs of an STD. The said signs include unusual bumps, sores, or rashes on the genitals or mouth, painful or burning sensations when urinating, swollen lymph nodes in the groin, and unusual discharge from the penis or the vagina. Other than that, you should be wary when experiencing itching or burning in the genital area.

If you want to know more about the signs that you need sexual disease testing, read on. Below, you will find key information on the topic, as well as practical advice that will help you resolve your doubts.

Unusual Bumps, Sores, And Rashes

Bumps, sores, and rashes are the most common signs of STDs. Such sores tend to contain puss, smell bad, and be painful, open, and dark red. They can appear in many places, too, ranging from on the lips or mouth, on the penis, or around the labia to under the foreskin, inside the vagina, and around the anus. It is also worth noting that sores from an STD usually develop over a period of two to three weeks. Sores are most commonly associated with herpes, syphilis, and HPV.

It is worth noting that bumps that are painless and have no other symptoms are not necessarily an STD. They can be caused by a number of things, including fungi, bacteria, skin conditions, and allergic reactions to latex, spermicide, condoms, or contraceptive foams.

Unusual Discharge From The Vagina Or Penis

Unusual discharges often accompany sexually transmitted diseases. They typically are fishy-smelling and yellow, white, or green. The color of the discharge is indicative of the type of STD it is. For example, gonorrhea has a greenish discharge, whereas chlamydia has a yellow or white one. Their consistency also depends on the STD. For instance, it may be a thick, creamy fluid, a watery discharge that looks like egg whites, or a thin and runny.

Painful Or Burning Sensations When Urinating

Painful or burning sensations when urinating might be an indication that you are dealing with an STD. However, such sensations can also be caused by a number of other things, including a UTI and bacterial infection.

If you are not sure whether you are dealing with an STD or a UTI, think about other symptoms that you are experiencing. UTIs and bacterial infections tend to be accompanied by things like fever, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. No matter whether what you are experiencing does not look like a UTI, you should still get tested for an STD as soon as possible.

Itching And Burning In The Genitals

Itching and burning in the genitals are two other common signs of STDs. It can be mild, but it can also be very intense and so unbearable that you may want to scratch your genitals until they bleed. It can also come and go or be continuous.

Similarly to burning sensations, itching and burning can be caused by a long list of other conditions not related to STDs, such as yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and bacterial infections. Again, if you are not sure what you are dealing with, you should get in touch with a medical professional as soon as possible.

Swollen Lymph Nodes In The Groin Area

If you have swollen lymph nodes in the groin area, you may be suffering from an STD. In order to tell whether your lymph nodes are swollen, you might want to take a look at them and touch them. If you’re suffering from an STD, they are likely to be painful, tender, and hard to the touch. The swelling may end up being the size of a kidney bean or a pea, or even larger, depending on its cause.

In Conclusion

If you start to notice any signs of an STD that are mentioned above, you should talk to your doctor about it as soon as possible. They will be able to confirm your suspicions quickly and effectively. Alternatively, you can visit a clinic that offers low-cost or free STD testing and treatment services or utilize a service that offers STD online testing for more discretion. And if you do have an STD, do not worry. In many cases, you will be able to cure yourself using a course of antibiotics or an ointment.

While it might be embarrassing to talk to a medical professional about your symptoms, it is important to remember that they have seen it all before. After all, they have been dealing with patients who are suffering from STDs for years. And if they do end up behaving unprofessionally, you can always file a complaint against them. Remember that you have the right to have your privacy and dignity respected, and that you have the right to receive professional medical care, no matter what condition you are dealing with.

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