Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are awfully common – about 1 million new STIs are acquired every day around the world. The symptoms of STIs are also very similar to what women often describe as “toilet infection”: vaginal discharge and itching.
A person has an STI when germs transmitted during sexual intercourse settle and multiply in the body. The commonest of these infections are gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.
Who Gets STIs?
Anyone who is sexually active can get an STI. It cuts across age, class, and gender. But young people, especially women, tend to be more vulnerable. This is partly because of biological factors and partly due to risk-taking behaviours.
Risk Factors for STIs
- Having sex without using a condom correctly
- Having multiple sexual partners
- Having sex while drunk or high
- Having anonymous sexual partners
Symptoms of STIs
- Vaginal discharge – often foul-smelling: Yellow discharge is commonly seen in trichomoniasis.
- Genital sores or groin sores: could occur in chancroid. When painless, think of syphilis
- Genital itching: Especially in trichomoniasis
- Genital swellings: Numerous hard swellings on the vulva could be genital warts caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Single swellings in the groin may be due to LGV.
Note that many sexually transmitted infections have no initial symptoms. Yes, the infected person can spread these diseases. Eventually the damage silently caused by that disease comes to light.
Complications of STIs
- Pelvic inflammatory disease – germs may spread upwards into the uterus, tubes, ovaries, and even the liver, causing severe infections.
- Infertility – infections like chlamydia may distort the fallopian tubes, making it hard to conceive.
- Ectopic pregnancy – pregnancy implants in the tube instead of the womb, which can be life-threatening.
- Increased risk of HIV – having another STI makes it easier to catch or transmit HIV.
- Cancers – HPV can cause cervical and anal cancers.
- Recurrent UTIs – some germs may linger in the urethra and trigger repeated urinary tract infections.
- Pregnancy complications – syphilis, herpes, and gonorrhea can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn blindness.
- Systemic complications – STIs like syphilis and gonorrhea can spread to the whole body, damaging joints, eyes, brain, or heart.
Testing for STIs
If you notice symptoms, or if you’ve had unprotected sex, get tested. Doctors use blood tests, urine tests, or swabs from the genital area to detect STIs. Testing is quick and usually painless.
Treatment of STIs
Most STIs are treatable with the right antibiotics or antiviral drugs. But self-medication is dangerous. Always see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Early treatment prevents long-term complications and protects your partner(s) too.
Preventing STIs
- Use condoms consistently and correctly.
- Stick to one faithful partner who is uninfected.
- Avoid sex when drunk or high.
- Go for regular STI screening, especially if you’re sexually active.
- Get vaccinated against HPV and hepatitis B.
Conclusion
“Toilet infection” is not a real diagnosis. STIs are one of the true conditions behind those symptoms. We’ve discussed them today. In our next article, we’ll talk about pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
See you then!
Did you know we have a vaccine against one particularly nasty STI – HPV available in Nigeria now? Read more to find out!
