STDs and Menstruation. What is the relationship?

Most women will always have abdominal cramps and vaginal discharge. Pain in the lower tummy or around the stomach is generally described as cramping or period cramps.

Usually, some discharge from the cervix and vagina are natural and does not pose any serious concern. It only depends on the type of response to the hormone produced during the menstruation period.

Vaginal discharge has significant importance in keeping the vagina clean and also helps to prevent infections.

However, if there is something unusual in color, smell, or consistency, especially if accompanied by abdominal pains, itching, or burning. It could be an infection or a condition that needs special concern.

This article will look at some common STDs that cause cramping, prevention, treatments, and when to see a health professional.

What are period cramps?

Also called dysmenorrhea, this is a cramping or throbbing pain in women's lower abdomen, which usually happens just before or during menstruation. Period cramps occur due to a hormone-like substance called prostaglandins.

This substance makes the uterus walls contract and sheds its linings resulting in the periods. If the substance level is high, more pain will be associated with a period or cramp.

However, this varies in women, but cramps are most likely to become less painful as you get older,

We have all experienced period cramps in different ways. While other women might be familiar with it and can predict theirs from day one, some are fortunate enough to have never experienced or rarely feel the pain of period cramps.

To some women, the pain or discomfort is merely disturbing, while in others, the discomfort can be severe and interfere with their daily schedules for a few days or weeks.

Just like menstrual bleeding, cramping is something that most women expect and plan for it. Still, we have never had the time to think: what is the cause of cramping and why they should be taken seriously if the pain is involved.

Though this post will discuss various STDs that cause cramping, there are other conditions that cause period cramps worth stating because treating these conditions will help reduce the chances of having painful period cramps.

These other conditions include:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection in the woman's reproductive parts caused by bacteria transmitted through sex.
• Endometriosis is a condition where the uterine linings form on the outer side of the uterus. This is a very severe condition and can cause chronic pain than a cramp.
• Uterine fibroids are a non-cancerous growth on the uterine walls and cause pain in the affected area.
• Cervical stenosis is when a cervical opening is smaller and cannot allow the smooth passing of menstrual blood- this can cause pain by increasing the pressure in the uterus.

Despite all this, period cramps are a natural sign of a healthy body reacting to the uterine wall's shedding.

However, suppose period cramps are getting into your daily life cycle. In that case, if the symptoms become worse or you have been experiencing painful cramps after 25 years, it is advisable to seek medical attention.

What are the STDs that cause cramping in women?

Abdominal cramps may sometimes be a sign of a sexually transmitted disease. When you start noticing a change in the vaginal discharges, it could be a symptom of an STD and should not be ignored.

Most common STDs related to period cramps in women include chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis.

1. Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that affects both men and women. Depending on the mode of contraction, it affects the throat, genitals, and rectum. It is one of the prevalent STDs in young people ages 15-25 years.

You can contract gonorrhea if you have unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person. A pregnant mother with gonorrhea can pass the infection to the baby during childbirth. This can lead to serious health problems for your child later in life.

It is advisable to talk to your healthcare provider if you are pregnant in order to get the correct examination, testing, and treatment as required. Getting proper treatment of gonorrhea as early as possible will make the complications less likely to your baby.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most reported type of sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. it is an STI caused by a bacteria called chlamydia trachomatis.

It is transmitted through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex. It can also be contracted when you become into contact with the genitals of an infected person or infected semen even without having sex. A pregnant mother can also pass the infection to her baby during childbirth.

Signs and symptoms of chlamydia

Most women affected with chlamydia do not show the symptoms of an infection; it is, therefore, difficult to know you have the disease by visual examination. It is due to this reason it has been referred to as a silent infection.

But since the infections can cause some severe and permanent damage to the reproductive system, it is crucial to identify and treat this infection. The most common chlamydia infection manifestation is the infection of the cervix, causing inflammation in women called cervicitis.

When symptoms occur, they are usually mild and start showing after a few weeks after the infection. Symptoms of chlamydia infection in women can include abdominal pain or vaginal discharge.

Urethral infection can exhibit symptoms that look like urinary tract infections such as painful or burning sensation when urinating, feeling of the continuous need to pee, and blood in the urine.

If left untreated, chlamydia infection spreads through the pelvic organs resulting in a condition known as a pelvic inflammatory disease. This condition has symptoms such as pain during sex, pelvic aches, fever, abdominal pain, and cramping.

PID can lead to scarring of the fallopian tube and cause severe damage to the infected person's reproductive system, which can result in infertility.

Men with the infection may never show symptoms, but when it occurs, they include penile secretions, burning sensation during urination, and pain or swelling of one or both testis.

Conclusion

Cramping is a natural occurrence in women's bodies, and most people expect and plan for it. In some people, it is normal, and the discomfort does not affect their life cycle. While in some, the discomfort can be severe, leading to further complications of the reproductive system.

Despite the condition being natural in women, unusual signs of color, smell, or consistency accompanied by pelvic pains, pain during urination, itching or burning, could be a sign of infection and should not be assumed.

If you have ever wondered if there are STDs that cause cramping, then now you know. If you experience any symptoms discussed above, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Remember never ignore STD treatment. Untreated sexually transmitted infection can lead to more severe complications with your reproductive life.