Gynecology

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Signs and Symptoms

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are an important reason many women come to be seen in a gynecology practice. There are numerous sexually transmitted diseases and the consequences of untreated sexually transmitted diseases can be very serious for women. Often medications such as antibiotics must be prescribed. Untreated STDs can lead to chronic pelvic pain or loss of  fertility.

Most Common STDs:

• Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. Caused by bacteria, it results in a genital infection and must be treated with antibiotics. It can lead to chronic pelvic pain and infertility if not treated with antibiotics because it can spread to other pelvic organs. Your sexual partner will need to be treated also.
• Herpes genitalis is another common STD. It is a viral infection and doesn't lead to chronic pelvic pain or infertility, but it can cause a very painful and disturbing genital blisters. Antiviral medications can be prescribed that will reduce pain and discomfort. There is no cure for the infection itself, although it may be dormant indefinitely.
• Venereal or genital warts (also called condyloma accuminata) are caused by a virus. They also can cause abnormal pap smears. Creams and some other medicines can cause the warty tissue to disappear but the warts may recur.
• Gonorrhea is another common STD. It is caused by bacteria and can be treated with an antibiotic. The woman and her partner both need to be treated. Women often don't have symptoms but a vaginal discharge or painful urination may occur. Men are more likely to have discharge and painful urination. Untreated, gonorrhea can spread to other parts of the body and cause serious complications.
• Trichomonas may cause a woman to experience foul discharge and extreme itching. It can be treated with antibiotic. Partners need to be treated too.
• Syphilis is not as common as the above diseases but can have very serious consequences for women and their babies. It is caused by bacteria and can be treated by antibiotics. The woman and her partner need to be treated.
• HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B are viral infections that can be transmitted sexually, from mother to baby during birth or through infected blood. There are presently no cures for these diseases but they can be managed with antivirals and other medicines. Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease. Vaccine is available to prevent contracting Hepatitis B, which can also be transmitted via infected blood. HIV/AIDS can destroy a person's natural disease resistance system leaving him or her vulnerable to a number of different conditions.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause vaginal discharge, painful urination, or pelvic pain. Or they can have no symptoms at all.

Herpes usually causes painful, tender blisters on the vaginal or perineal skin. Often the woman with herpes also will experience flu-like feelings or a headache, or swollen glands.

Genital warts often cause itchy or non-itchy bumps on the vaginal or perineal skin. The woman may feel the warts while bathing.

Trichomonas usually causes an itchy, foul discharge.

Syphilis can cause a painless ulcer, but often there will be no obvious symptoms.

HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B can cause many non-specific symptoms like fatigue and abdominal discomfort.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated February 28, 2008