Sexually transmitted diseases have always been a concern. They have been on the rise, with a high number of cases reported for syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

 

 While this is not good news for everyone, it is worse for women as they are at high risk of STDs. This has brought more questions that need answers. This article will answer some questions, like why are women more at risk of STDs than men? Can STD affect your period? Why are sexually transmitted diseases on the rise? How can sexually active women protect themselves? 

 

Before answering these vital questions, let’s take a look at STDs and their common types. 

 

What are STDs?

 

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that an infected person can transmit to an uninfected person through sexual contact. While most of them are transmitted through penetrative sex, some through skin-to-skin contact, even without penetration. One can transmit STDs through the vagina, anal, or oral sex, and bloodborne pathogens like bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them. 

 

Common types of STDs and their symptoms

 

Any sexual contact puts you at risk of sexually transmitted disease, regardless of age or gender. There are over 30 types of STDs, according to Healthy People 2020, affecting over 20 million people yearly. But, some STDs are more common than others. Once infected, some of these STDs can cause severe health complications if not treated properly or left untreated. 

 

Fortunately, most of them are treatable and preventable. But like in any other sector, knowledge is power regarding sexual health. Through knowledge, you can recognize some of the symptoms of these STDs though some, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, etc., can be difficult because they are asymptomatic in most cases. 

 

Let's look at the most common STDs you should be aware of. 

 

Chlamydia

 

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection due the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia mainly affects young women below the age of 25 though it can affect men and women of all ages. And for this reason, CDC urges women under 25 to go for chlamydia testing every year. 

 

One can spread chlamydia through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual intercourse with an infected person. You should note that you can get chlamydia even if your partner doesn't ejaculate. A pregnant woman can also pass the infection to her baby during childbirth. 

 

You might not know you have chlamydia because, in most people, it doesn't show signs and symptoms. But when it shows symptoms, they may include:

 

  • Painful testicles
  • Bleeding after sex and between periods in females
  • Painful urination
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Penile discharge
  • Painful sexual intercourse in women

 

Chlamydia is easily treatable, but if you leave it untreated, it can cause severe complications like the infection of the uterus and fallopian tube (Pelvic inflammatory disease), ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. 

 

Gonorrhea

 

Gonorrhea is a common bacterial sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The infection primarily affects the mucous membrane of the reproductive system, including the uterus, cervix, and fallopian tubes in women and the urethra in men and women. This explains why women are more prone to gonorrhea than men. 

 

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The bacteria causing gonorrhea can also infect mucous membranes of the rectum, eyes, mouth, and throat. When it affects the throat, it can cause swollen lymph nodes and sore throat, a symptom you can ease by gargling salt water. 

 

According to CDC, gonorrhea is the second most common STI in the united states, and it is common in young people between the age of 15-24. you can transmit gonorrhea through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact with an infected person. Like chlamydia, you don't need to ejaculate to transmit or acquire gonorrhea, and a pregnant woman can also transmit it to her child during childbirth. 

 

Gonorrhea has no signs and symptoms in most cases. When it shows, symptoms differ depending on the gender and the area infected. In men, the symptoms may include:

 

  • Swelling of one of the testicles accompanied by pain
  • Painful urination
  • Pus-like discharge from the penis tip

 

In women, signs and symptoms of gonorrhea may include:

 

  • Painful urination
  • Increased vaginal discharge
  • Vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse or between the periods
  • Pelvic or abdominal pain

 

When it affects the eye, gonorrhea can cause light sensitivity, eye pain, and pus-like discharge from one or both eyes. It can also affect the rectum causing itching anus, pus-like discharge from the rectum, straining during bowel movement, and red blood spots on toilet tissues. 

 

Gonorrhea is preventable and treatable, but leaving it untreated can spread it into the fallopian tube and uterus, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This can lead to tube scarring, leading to infertility and pregnancy complications. 

 

Pregnant women can also spread gonorrhea to their babies during birth which can cause blindness and sores on the scalp of the babies. 

 

Syphilis

 

Syphilis is a common bacterial sexually transmitted infection that, when left untreated, can cause severe health issues. Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which starts as a painless sore in the affected area. It mostly affects the genitals but can also affect the mouth or rectum.

 

After the infection, Treponema pallidum can remain dormant in the body for years before becoming active again, but even in the dormancy state, one can still spread this bacterium. Syphilis is curable with a single shot of penicillin. 

 

There are myths and misconceptions about the spread of syphilis. You should note that you cannot get syphilis through contact with objects like bathtubs, hot tubs, doorknobs, swimming pools, toilet seats, or sharing clothing or eating utensils. 

 

Syphilis occurs in four stages, and each stage varies in symptoms though the symptoms may overlap and don't always occur in the same order. In the first stage, the primary stage, a small sore called chancre develops, and it appears at the place where the bacteria enter the body.

 

In most cases, people develop only one chancre though some may develop several. Most people with syphilis infection don't notice the chancre because it is usually painless and is mostly hidden within the rectum or vagina, which explains why women are more prone to STDs like syphilis than male.

 

After the chancres have healed, which takes about three weeks, you enter the secondary stage of syphilis. In this stage, you may experience rashes that covers your entire body, including the palms of your hands and the sole of your feet. These rushes are usually not itchy, and sometimes they may contain water-like sores. You can also experience hair loss, muscle aches, sore throat, fever, and swollen lymph nodes at this stage.

 

Untreated syphilis can do more damage in women than men, which raises the question, can STD affect your period? Read on to learn more about syphilis and its period. 

 

Genital herpes

 

Genital herpes is a common viral sexually transmitted disease caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). The most common cause of genital herpes is HSV-2 through vaginal sexual contact. HSV-1. Under rare circumstances, HSV-1 can cause the infection during oral sexual intercourse. 

 

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The infection can spread from one person to another through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity. The virus rarely shows symptoms; some people may have mild to no symptoms, although the virus can still spread.

 

The symptoms of genital herpes may include:

 

  • Painful urination
  • Itchy genitals
  • Small bumps around the infected area; genitals, anus, or mouth.
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Urethral discharge
  • Painful ulcers resulting from rupturing blisters
  • Scabbing after the ulcers heal
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Swollen groin lymph nodes
  • Body aches

 

Genital herpes has no cure, but there is a medication that helps reduce its outbreak and manage the symptoms. 

 

Genital herpes is accompanied by vaginal discharge. Does this mean it affects your period? You'll get the answer when we answer the question, can STD affect the period? 

 

Oral herpes

 

Oral herpes, fever blisters, or cold sore is a type of herpes caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Like genital herpes, once infected with oral herpes, you will live with the virus for the rest of your life because it is incurable. After its outbreak and you heal, the virus will lie dormant in a group of nerve cells until the next outbreak though you can still pass it during the dormancy state.

 

Herpes virus is mainly transmitted through oral sex or when one comes into contact with open sores through skin-to-skin contact when kissing. You can also get the infection by sharing eating utensils, towels, or razors with an infected person. HSV-2 can also cause oral herpes through sexual contact though in rare cases. Oral herpes is highly contagious. 

 

The symptoms of oral herpes may include:

 

  • Tingling and itching around the lips just before the appearance of a small and hard spot
  • Fluid-filled blisters
  • Formation of crust
  • Fever
  • Painful gums
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Muscle aches

 

Oral herpes does not cause vaginal discharge; therefore, it doesn't affect the period. But you'll get more clarity when we answer the question, can STD affect your period?

 

Why sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise 

 

Experts conducting studies on sexually transmitted diseases and monitoring their trends are finding that STDs have been and are still on the rise, which has brought many questions about this rise. The experts believe that the rise is due to different factors like:

 

Low turnout of people getting tested annually

 

STDs majorly affect youths and younger adults between the age of 15-24 who are sexually active. Some of these people indulge in sexual intercourse without protection and not-knowing the STD status of their partners. Furthermore, some of them are involved in sexual activities with multiple partners. This has made it possible for STDs to spread rapidly among the sexually active group.

 

You should note that not everybody without symptoms is healthy. Most of these STDs are asymptomatic and can lie dormant in the body, but they are still transmissible. Therefore, it is important that you annually go for STD testing; if you have multiple partners, it should be more often. 

 

And because women are more vulnerable, they should get pap smear tests to check for certain STDs and other potential health issues. You should do this every 2-3 years, commencing at 21. 

 

Lack of sex education

 

Though governments and organizations like CDC and WHO have tried to teach young people about sex education, there is still a need to do more, especially for older people. Society has neglected older people regarding sex education, forgetting that due to changes in lifestyle and technological trends, older people remain sexually active for a long. This has seen them contract STDs because they lack knowledge about STD testing, symptoms, and prevention. 

 

Younger people also still do not fully understand the importance of sex education. They still need to understand why they should not engage in multiple sexual activities or unprotected one. And for the sake of young women, the government needs to go the extra mile and provide adequate materials for sex education because women are more vulnerable. With education, women will have the answer to the question, can STD affect your period, and if yes, they'll know these types of STDs. 

 

Casual sex is now a cultural norm 

 

Casual sex is considered normal, and it is common in those under the age of 30 as many youths and young adults are participating in it not only in the U.S. but also globally. With inconsistent education, individuals involved in casual sex don't know how to protect themselves or any difference in sexually transmitted diseases. This has led to an increase in STDs across the globe. 

 

Therefore, it is important to engage our youths, young and older adults, in sex education, especially vulnerable women, so they know how to protect themselves from and understand different types of STDs. With these, they can answer the question, can STD affect your period? 

 

Falls sense of security 

 

Falls's sense of security is due to a lack of education. Many people believe that using condoms can protect you from all STDs. But did you know that male condoms are only 98% effective? Some also believe that birth control can protect them from getting STDs which is a lie. They are not even 100% effective in protecting you from getting pregnant.

 

What is important is knowing your STD status and that of your partner and avoiding believing that you are safe because you are using protection. 

 

Why women are at more risk of STDs than men 

According to CDC, STDs remain the number one public health challenge in the U.S., and across the globe, especially among women who bear the long-term effects of STDs. Women are severely affected by STDs more than women due to the following factors:

 

Women’s anatomy

 

Women's anatomy places them at high risk for STD infections as they are more exposed than their male counterparts. The vaginal lining is thinner and more delicate than the penile skin making it easier for bacteria and viruses to penetrate. The vagina is also moist, giving bacteria a good environment for growth. 

 

Women are less likely to show symptoms of common STDs 

 

Women rarely show symptoms of common STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea compared to men. If the symptoms occur, they can go away without being noticed though the infection might remain. For this reason, women can live with STDs for a long time without notice if they don't go for STD testing, which can lead to serious health complications like infertility. This can also affect their period, which answers the question, can STD affect your period?

 

It is likely for women to confuse STD symptoms for something else

 

Women often have normal discharge. But sometimes, the discharge may be due to an STD infection, but they may assume it's normal. They can also easily assume vaginal burning or itching is a yeast infection, even if it's due to an STD. And to answer the question, can STDs affect your period? You now know that they can affect your discharge, including the period. 

 

But for men, when they notice a discharge, they'll know something is amiss because it's unusual. 

 

Women don't see symptoms easily

 

In most cases, women don't see symptoms as easily as men. For example, it is difficult for them to see symptoms like genital ulcers due to herpes or syphilis because they develop in the vagina, which is not easily visible. But men will easily notice sores on their penises. 

 

STDs can lead to serious health complications more often in women

 

Leaving STDs untreated can lead to serious health issues in men and women but can be more severe in the latter. For example, untreated chlamydia can spread to the fallopian tube, uterus, and urethra in women causing pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancy. In men, it can only spread to the urethra. This shows why women are more at risk of STDs and the need to answer the question: Can STDs affect your period?

 

Pregnant women can pass STDs to their babies

 

If not treated, pregnant women can pass STDs to their babies during pregnancy or delivery. This can cause harmful effects on their babies as it can lead to stillbirth, brain damage, low birth weight, etc. 

 

More risk from HPV 

 

Women are at high risk of contracting human papillomavirus than their male counterparts which is the leading cause of cervical cancer in women. 

 

Can STD affect your period?

 

The most common STDs don't usually cause symptoms. But in ladies, even without testing, missing or experiencing irregular periods can indicate that something is not working correctly in your body. However, this doesn't mean it is an STD because most STDs don't affect periods unless you leave them untreated and they have advanced to a more severe infection. 

 

STDs like chlamydia don't cause missed periods, but you may notice abnormal vaginal discharge or spotting when you have a chlamydia infection. If you are experiencing such symptoms, check with your doctor to ensure everything is okay. Now you understand the relationship between chlamydia and your period, you now have the answer to the question can STD affect your period?

 

Human papillomavirus is also another STD that affects women and can cause spotting between the period though it rarely causes symptoms and goes away on its own. If you experience spotting, check in with your doctor to ensure HPV doesn't cause severe health issues. 

 

STDs like trichomonas vaginalis or mycoplasma genitalium can cause unusual discharge and bleeding after sex, respectively. Therefore, it is important to see your doctor if you experience such symptoms. 

 

Now that you have the answer to the question, can STD affect your period and the STDs that can affect your period, you can always be on the lookout for these symptoms. 

 

How can sexually active women protect themselves?

 

Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise and are high in women. Therefore, it is important for women to know how to protect themselves from these infections. The surest way to protect and prevent getting STIs is by abstaining. Still, if you can't ensure you know your STD status, you are in a mutually monogamous relationship, and you use protection whenever you engage in any sexual activity. 

 

Conclusion

 

Sexually transmitted diseases are common, especially in the sexually active group, and they are still on the rise. Women are at more risk of STDs than men because of several factors like unique anatomy that makes them vulnerable to bacterial and viral infections.

 

The steady rise of STD infection is due to many reasons, including the lack of enough sex education, the low turnout of annual STD testing, a false sense of security, etc. Therefore, it is important to regularly go for STD check-ups, especially if you are sexually active. 

Contributor: admin