STD / STI | Women's Health Singapore

Worried about a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or sexually transmitted infection (STI) ?

If you suspect you have an STD/STI, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about it!

STDs are a serious health issue, and can have long term impact on your health.

Read on to find out more about symptoms of STDs, and causes of STDs.

What are STDs?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are conditions that are contracted through sexual contact. If left untreated, many STDs can result in pelvic inflammatory disease, and infertility in women.

What are the symptoms of STDs?

Many women are actually asymptomatic, meaning they experience no symptoms at all.

That doesn’t mean that they aren’t harmful – regular checkups are necessary to ensure you are clear of these conditions.

STDs can cause symptoms such as:

Vaginal discharge
Vaginal itch
Vaginal pain + swelling
Pain during sex
Bleeding after sex
Abnormal periods (heavy periods, irregular periods)
Growths, lumps, bumps or ulcers in the genital region
Pain on passing urine
Pain in the lower abdomen

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What are the causes of STDs?

1. Chlamydia

This is the commonest STD in both men and women.

Chlamydia can infect the vaginal, oral and anal region, depending on the nature of your contact.

80% of women who have chlamydia don’t have symptoms, but that doesn’t mean that the infection isn’t dangerous!

Get checked out today if you suspect you’ve been exposed.

Find out the risk of contracted Chlamydia – here

2. Gonorrhoea

Like chlamydia, gonorrhoea can also be found in the vaginal, oral and anal regions.

Gonorrhoea is a common co-infection with chlamydia and is also asymptomatic in the majority of women.

Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are the major causes of pelvic inflammatory disease, which lead to infertility.

3. Herpes

This condition is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV).

Herpes results in recurrent episodes of painful ulcers or blisters in the oral or genital area.

Infection with HSV is lifelong, but most carriers are asymptomatic in between episodes.

4. Genital warts

Infection with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) can cause warts.

Warts are fleshy, irregular looking lumps that appear in the genital and anal area. They are usually painless, but can sometimes be itchy.

These can be removed with minor surgery, or with medications, but recurrence is common.

To guard against warts, talk to your GP about getting HPV vaccinations today.

5. Syphilis

Syphilis is contracted by contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

In the initial stages of infection, syphilis presents with genital ulcers, flu-like symptoms and rashes.

In its advanced stages, syphilis can result in major organ damage, including heart failure, blindness and dementia.

6. HIV

Infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) occurs due to contact with infected blood or genital secretions.

This infection is lifelong, and carriers need to be on viral suppressive therapy for life.

If left untreated, HIV lead to severe suppression of the human immune system, resulting in serious and life threatening illness (AIDS).

Sign and symptoms of HIV – Cough, sore throat and rash – are these signs of HIV or Acute Retroviral Syndrome (ARS)? (Learn More)

7. Trichomonas

This common STD is caused by infection with a parasite known as Trichomonas vaginalis.

70% of infected people are asymptomatic.

This infection is easily treated with antibiotics, but re-infection rates are high.

8. Hepatitis

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are contracted through contact with infected genital secretions and blood.

They usually do not cause symptoms in carriers, but over the course of years, can lead to permanent liver damage and liver failure.

Remember, most STDs/ STIs don’t have symptoms. Regular screening is the only way to ensure your best sexual health.

So don’t put your fertility at risk!

If you’ve had unprotected sexual contact or multiple sexual partners, you may have been exposed to any of the above infections. Get tested early!

Need a Female Doctor?

Having Women’s Health concerns? Please visit us or contact us at our GP Plus Clinics in Singapore. We are open on weekends too. For more information, please visit DTAP Clinic website, www.dtapclinic.com or email them at hello@dtapclinic.com.sg

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