Sexually Transmitted Diseases, STD: Symptoms And Treatment

The spectrum of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) has been widening virtually every decades. The earlier record of trending STDs are syphilis, chanchroid, gonorrhea etc; in the 60’s the spectrum includes herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1; bacterial vaginosis (BV), in the 80’s the spectrum include Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Human papillomavirus (HPV), HSV type 2 etc. STDs incidence is commonly in men, however the complications associated with STDs are severe and common in women which has effect on their infant health during pregnancy, maternity, high risk of cancer such as cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus, damage of the reproductive organs and transmission of diseases to the fetus. If left untreated, Severe STDs can also cause infertility and pelvic inflammatory diseases in women.

• Vaginal discharge

  These are mixture of whitish and sticky fluids from the vagina which can be odourless or with odour.  Its triggered mostly by closeness of your menstruation, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as syphilis, chanchroid, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes and trichomoniasis. Vaginal discharge can also be caused by improper hygienic practices such as wearing tight,wet and non-cotton pants. Every girl or woman is advised to wear well washed and dried pants. Personally i advice my clients to dry their washed pants outside under the hot sun because drying your pants in the bathroom where the temperature is moist and cold can give room for yeast infections which leads to vaginal discharge, Itching and vaginal pains. For self treatment of a healthy vagina, using warm water without soap or any disinfectant such as dettol to wash your genital area will reduce odour. To avoid irritations its advised you avoid using douches, scented medicated soaps and herbal medicines. To know if you have been infected, your vagina discharge will change from normal whitish mucoid,odourless discharge to yellowish or brownish discharge.

• Infertility

  Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea pose a severe infertility threat to women who are exposed to unprotected sex or ignores symptoms of STDs leaving in untreated in their body. When the upper genital tract is infected it could lead to permanent damage of the fallopian tubes, surrounding tissues and uterus which is the primary cause of infertility.

• Lower Abdominal Pain

  Abdominal cramps caused by sexually transmitted diseases such as trichomoniasis, gonorrhea and chlamydia can pose a severe health condition for women leading to pelvic inflammatory diseases with symptoms like an unusual discharge with offensive odour from your vagina, dyspareunia, dysuria, fever and sometimes vomiting.

• Dyspareunia:

  This term is also known as painful intercourse which is defined as a persistent genital pains that occurs on or before intercourse. Vaginal yeast infection, urinary tract infections also lead to painful intercourse (dyspareunia).

• Other Symptoms Include:
• Rashes
• Itching Vulva
• Pelvic Abscess
• Rectal Pains
• Granuloma Inguinale (Donovanosis)
• Soar Throat
• Genital Warts
• Testicular Pain
• Joint Pains
• Skin Rashes

• Painful Micturition:

  Also known as painful urination. This is a feeling of discomfort when you urinate with a burning and painful sentation. For self medication i advice you take more fluids or drinks fortified with vitaminC so your urine can be acidified which can relief you of the pains.

•  Frequent Urination
• Pains during ejaculation
• Abnormal foul-smell discharge from the penis
• Soars and painful boils on the penis

There are common STD’s in men that are asymptomatic. They are:

• Genital herpes

What are genital herpes? These are some common types of STD’s which are characterised by sores and pains mostly on the penis of a man after an unprotected sex and it is caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Symptoms Of Genital herpes Include? 

At the initial stage of contacting the infection it could remain dormant in the body but below are some early symptoms you will be experiencing

• Boils on the penis
• Intiching or pains
• Sores in form of Ulcer on the penis or scrotum
• Scabs
• Headache
• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Red-coloured bumps

Treatment:

Antiviral drugs such as valacyclovir and acyclovir can be taken. However, no cure exists for herpes.

Prevalence:

According to the WHO Gonorrhea is the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in Nigeria with a percentage of 28.1%. In 1963. Lagos was found to have the highest rate of gonorrhea.

• Chlamydia:

This is a sexual transmitted disease caused by bacteria,it is common in young women but may not cause symptoms. But this people can still infect others through sexual intercourse, I will advice men to always use condoms when having sex except she’s your wife or fiancee. According to experts about 90% of women and 70% of men are asymptomatic with chlamydia infection.

Symptoms

1. Genital pain
2. Discharge from penis
3. Pains or burning sensation during sex or urination
4. Pain areas may include the testicles, lower abdomen or in the eyes
5. Yellowish or greenish colour of discharge from the penis

NB: Practicing oral sex with an infected patient diagnosed with chlamydia can pose a risk for you to be infected with chlamydia in your throat which can cause you to cough or having itching and soar throat.