By Lauren Haines, Nurse Practitioner

You may be wondering what signs and symptoms you should look for that may indicate an STI. Many STIs do not cause any symptoms, which is why screening is so important! However, you may experience some symptoms of STIs.

The symptoms are often non-specific, meaning the symptoms may be caused by a variety of infections or diseases. In general, the most common symptoms to watch out for are genital discharge, painful urination, and painful intercourse.

Let’s break down the most common symptoms for each of the infections in the TBD 5 panel STI screening test:

Chlamydia: painful urination, lower abdominal pain or discomfort, vaginal or penile discharge, pain during sexual intercourse, irregular vaginal bleeding, and testicular pain.

Gonorrhea: painful urination, vaginal or penile discharge, irregular vaginal bleeding, painful/swollen testicles, painful bowel movements.

Trichomoniasis: painful urination, vaginal or penile discharge, strong vaginal odor, vaginal or penile itching/irritation, pain during sexual intercourse

Syphilis: small, painless sore (chancre), rash, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, fatigue, body aches

HIV: flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, rash, fatigue

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and are at risk for STIs, please consider testing for infections. You may also want to discuss these symptoms with a trusted medical provider to help determine any other possible cause. In addition, use of barrier methods (like condoms) and regular screening (such as our 5-panel kit) is a great way to help prevent STI’s from causing long-term problems.

Photo by Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition on Unsplash

This article provides information about sexual health, healthcare and/or related subjects. The blog content and any linked materials herein are not intended to be, and should not be construed as a substitute for, medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment. Any reader or person with a medical concern should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician or other healthcare provider. This blog is provided purely for informational purposes. The views expressed herein are not sponsored by and do not represent the opinions of TBD Health Inc.