STD Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

Many people infected with STDs don't have immediate or obvious symptoms, or they have symptoms that can be easily mistaken for another health condition.

Unfortunately, that means a disease can go untreated for years, leading to long-term health issues, such as HIV, increased cancer risk, and cardiovascular and neurological problems. You can also end up unknowingly sharing the infection with an unsuspecting partner.

That's why doctors recommend that if you enter a new relationship, you get tested for sexually transmitted infections and ask your partner to do the same — whether or not you or your partner has symptoms.

Here are six of the most common signs of sexually transmitted infections according to our experts. If you have any of these, see your health care provider and ask to be screened.

1. Bumps or sores

If you notice a bump, sore, wart or blister on or near your genitals, that's cause for concern, even if it disappears without treatment. Syphilis can cause a firm, painless sore or multiple sores where the disease enters your body, and herpes produces painful, bubblelike blisters. Chancroids and HPV can also cause bumps in the genital area. If you engage in oral or anal sex, STDs can cause bumps and blisters on your lips, inside your mouth or around your anus.

2. Unusual discharge

Discharge from the genitals is often a sign of STDs such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. For men, any type of penile drip or oozing is not normal and should be a red flag, Vermund says. Discharge is more common in women, but they should see a health care provider if they notice any abnormal discharge, particularly if it has an odor or a green or yellow tint.

3. Itching or irritation

If you're a woman experiencing itching along with vaginal discharge, don't assume it's a yeast infection, advises Melinda New, M.D., an obstetrician-gynecologist at Vanderbilt Health. In many older adults it's actually trichomoniasis, an STD caused by a tiny parasite and that's easily treated with an antibiotic. “People think it's a yeast infection and go out and get some Monistat or call their doctor's office and get treated over the phone,” New says. “If the itching is persistent, insist on an in-person exam. Self-diagnosis and phone diagnosis is notoriously inaccurate. You want someone to take a swab and look at it under a microscope.”

In men, trichomoniasis can cause itching and irritation inside the penis. Intense itching can also signify pubic lice (crabs) or scabies, two contagious skin conditions resulting from parasitic insects that can be spread through sexual contact.

4. Vaginal bleeding

Postmenopausal vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods if you're still menstruating is a sign to watch, especially if it happens after intercourse. It can be a symptom of gonorrhea or chlamydia. Herpes sores can also bleed. If you've had sex involving the anal area, an STD can cause bleeding from the rectum.

5. Burning with urination

A burning or stinging sensation when you pee is often assumed to be a urinary tract infection, but it's a symptom of many STDs, too. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are the most likely culprits, Graddy says. Painful urination can also be caused by herpes and trichomoniasis.

6. Pain or irritation

Pain in your lower abdomen or pelvis can be a sign of pelvic inflammatory disease, a complication in women caused by untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea. Many STDs can also lead to changes in your genitals that make sex uncomfortable or painful.

Michelle Crouch is a contributing writer who has covered health and personal finance for some of the nation's top consumer publications. Her work has appeared in Reader's Digest, Real Simple, Prevention, The Washington Post and The New York Times.