Sexually transmitted diseases are very diverse, but they are united by the tendency to chronicize the pathological process, especially when treatment is started late. In this article we will analyze the main symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases in men, as well as the actions necessary to confirm the disease.

STD is an abbreviation that means an infectious disease with a high degree of contagiousness and is transmitted primarily through sexual contact; the abbreviation STI is also used - sexually transmitted infections, and among doctors it is customary to call such diseases venereal, but not all sexually transmitted infections are them.

Major STDs in men

The majority of sexually transmitted diseases affect both men and women, but it is possible to identify diseases that most often affect men. In the practice of urologists and dermatovenerologists, a large number of different classifications of sexually transmitted diseases are used. But in practice, the most convenient and understandable classification remains based on etiological characteristics, i.e. according to the pathogen that caused the STD or STI.

The most common diseases affecting the male reproductive system and urinary tract include:

Diseases of a bacterial nature: syphilis, chlamydia, ureoplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea and others,

Protozoa: Trichomonas is the most common protozoan and is the cause of trichomoniasis,

Viruses: herpes (genital herpes in men), papillomavirus (human papillomavirus infection), HIV - have a systemic effect on the body, as well as the development of tumors at the site of the lesion.

Pediculosis pubis

All of the above STIs (sexually transmitted infections) tend to affect the urogenital tract and reproductive organs of men, which determines the signs of sexually transmitted diseases in men through the formation of a characteristic clinical picture.

Effect on the body

It is important to understand that all sexually transmitted infections have different effects on the body and cause pathology of varying localization and severity, which helps to carry out differential diagnosis and identify the specific pathogen. Some infectious agents affect only the urinary system and have characteristic local symptoms: an unpleasant odor, rash and itching.

Local venereal diseases include: candidiasis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, ureoplasmosis and others. However, the other part can cause systemic phenomena with the development of a pathological process in various organs and systems. For example, with syphilis, the primary symptom is a chancre in the form of an ulcer on the skin of the penis. If you miss the moment of onset of the disease, then syphilis goes into a latent form and gradually destroys almost all tissues of the human body. When syphilis passes into a latent form, diagnosing the disease becomes seriously difficult, which can lead to diagnostic errors.

HIV infection is especially insidious, it does not cause local damage to the genital organs, does not have a specific clinical picture, but destroys the cells of the immune system, which leads to the development of serious complications. Lymphadenopathy is the only typical symptom of the disease and is manifested by an increase in almost all lymph nodes. Lymphadenopathy is not accompanied by pain, so only an experienced doctor can suspect it during a physical examination of the patient. After years, and sometimes decades, HIV infection smoothly passes into the terminal stage - AIDS, when the immune system is completely destroyed.

Sexually transmitted diseases affecting the genitals and urinary system

These STIs include gonococci, chlamydia, uroplasma and mycoplasma, as well as fungi of the genus Candida.

These infections are characterized by damage to the external and internal genital organs of men. Sexually transmitted diseases in acute form affect the organs of the genitourinary tract and cause their inflammation: urethritis, cystitis, prostatitis and others.

Herpesvirus and papillomavirus lead to the formation of ulcers or growths in the external genital area or can lead to cancer of the reproductive system.

In the chronic form, sexually transmitted diseases may not give any clinical picture, in which case the course is considered hidden.

Symptoms of STDs in men

Symptoms of STDs in men are varied and vary according to the different stages of the disease that caused them. This way we can distinguish primary and secondary signs of sexually transmitted diseases.

Smell. An unusual odor is a sign of an STD. Most sexually transmitted diseases cause purulent-inflammatory reactions on the part of the diseased organism. With gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted bacterial infections, purulent processes occur in the urethra and prostate gland, which are accompanied by the appearance of a very unpleasant odor, especially at the time of separation of purulent masses from the urethra.

Itching and burning. The first sign of a sexually transmitted disease in men is the appearance of itching and burning in the intimate area. Most often, severe itching occurs directly at the site of development of the infectious-inflammatory reaction in response to the introduction of an infectious agent. A burning sensation in the groin is associated with irritation of nerve endings due to inflammation and swelling of the tissues of the urogenital tract and internal genital organs. In other situations, a burning sensation in the groin can be caused by a fungal infection of the skin, since fungi of the genus Candida multiply mainly in a humid environment and at elevated temperatures. The most typical location of the lesion is the groin. When the pathogen is localized in the genitourinary tract, itching and burning occur at the time of urination.

Rashes. Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases in men are often accompanied by skin rashes. Changes in the skin of the external genitalia, pubis and groin area can be of a different nature. Pimples on the penis can occur due to damage by Treponema pallidum due to syphilis, herpes virus infection and candidiasis.

Pain. Symptoms of STIs in men are often accompanied by pain. The localization of pain almost always coincides with the site of the lesion or is directly determined in the projection of the organ that has undergone an infectious-inflammatory process. Pain occurs due to irritation of sensitive nerve fibers due to massive tissue swelling.

Unpleasant sensations during sex- are also symptoms of STDs. In addition, a man may experience discomfort during ejaculation or during urination, which also indicates damage to the genitourinary tract.

Damage to the oral mucosa. Symptoms of STDs in men's mouths are not that common. However, the symptom of damage to the oral mucosa is important for making a diagnosis. Ulcerations occur in the mouth, the color of the mucous membranes changes to yellowish, and there may also be manifestations of tonsillitis. When affected by a herpes virus infection, rashes on the lips can often be found.

For hidden infections affecting the male genital organs, the above symptoms are also characteristic, but their severity is much lower, to the point that a sick man may simply not notice them. Hidden sexually transmitted infections include mycoplasmosis, ureoplasmosis, chlamydia, and human papillomavirus.

Papillomas

The first signs of STDs in men with these diseases begin to form much later than the time of infection. This period is called incubation or latent. The asymptomatic period can last up to two months, while an infectious process develops in the body all the time, and the man most often does not suspect it. Symptoms of latent STDs in men may appear after a decrease in general immunity due to other diseases, which significantly complicates the diagnostic search.

Asymptomatic sexually transmitted diseases

STDs without symptoms in men are represented by diseases such as ureaplasmosis, genital herpes and human papillomavirus infection. Under some circumstances, these diseases may not cause any clinical manifestations for many months. Despite this, ureaplasmosis, genital herpes and papillomavirus infection slowly progress and have a detrimental effect on the tissues and organs of the sick man. These infections are often detected during routine examinations and are an unexpected finding for men. In order not to miss sexually transmitted diseases without symptoms, men should be examined once a year.

Diagnostics and necessary tests

When a man contacts a specialist and if an STD is suspected, a urologist or dermatovenerologist will refer the patient to undergo a standard diagnostic complex. After completing the research, the specialist conducts differential diagnostics and establishes the cause of the disease. Immediately before referral for diagnostic procedures, the specialist performs an examination and physical examination of the patient to draw up the most complete clinical picture of the disease. Tests for STDs are described in detail on our website.

List of standard diagnostic procedures:

A smear from the urethral canal followed by a bacterioscopic examination;

Sowing biological material from a patient onto nutrient media. Sowing and microscopy are a mandatory research method, as they are highly informative;

Enzyme immunoassay allows you to identify specific pathogens and hidden infectious processes in the patient’s body;

Ultrasound of the internal genital organs to determine the degree of activity of the inflammatory process;

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most expensive research method, but the most accurate to date.

The above research methods make it possible to identify all the most common sexually transmitted diseases when the first signs of STDs appear in men, as well as to determine the degree of organ damage and the severity of the disease.

How dangerous are STDs?

Sexually transmitted infections are dangerous due to the ease of infection and the absence of visible manifestations in the early stages. They are characterized by high contagiousness and rapid spread among members of the population at risk. Many STDs have early symptoms that are difficult to detect, so most people who get sick do not take them into account and do not consult a doctor until serious complications appear.

Infection can provoke the development of inflammatory diseases of the most important internal organs and systems, causing their dysfunction or severe damage. It is important that the body does not develop true protective post-infectious immunity to the introduction of pathogens, and therefore self-healing occurs very rarely. Venereal diseases can be infected repeatedly (reinfection), and many types of viral, chlamydial and ureaplasma infections pass into a latent form, which is characterized by long-term carriage and frequent relapses.

In most cases, for both the male and female body, the greatest danger is not the STDs themselves, but their complications causing irreversible changes in the body. Complications develop some time after infection, over weeks or months. Complications from some STDs can cause acute conditions that require surgery and, in the most serious cases, death.

For example, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis and ureaplasmosis in men can lead to prostatitis, and in women - to inflammatory diseases of the uterus and appendages, often requiring surgical intervention.

Sexually transmitted viral infections are oncogenic. For example, some types of human papillomavirus (HPV) dramatically increase the risk of cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva and penis. Infection with hepatitis B or C viruses, and the development of these diseases in a chronic form, causes liver cancer.

Chronic forms of sexually transmitted diseases lead to damage to the central nervous system, bones, brain, intestines, respiratory organs, cardiovascular system, endocrine system and the development of cancer.

STDs and their complications can have particularly serious consequences for women's and men's reproductive health. STDs can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility in men and women, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and can even be life-threatening. According to some data, up to 80% of the causes of male and female infertility are caused by sexually transmitted infections, and in disadvantaged regions of the world, STDs and their complications are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality among women.

STDs are dangerous not only for a woman, but also for her fetus during pregnancy - the infection can be transmitted transplacentally or during childbirth when the newborn passes through the mother’s birth canal. Intrauterine infection of the fetus can cause severe pathology and congenital deformities, miscarriage, and the birth of a nonviable or sick child.

Frequent cases of self-medication, uncontrolled use of medications and unjustified prescription of certain antibiotics have led to an increase in the number of drug-resistant pathogens of sexually transmitted infections. Such forms are much more difficult to cure according to the standard regimen, and some types of strains of pathogenic microorganisms that cause STDs that are resistant to drugs pose a serious global threat.

If one type of STD is detected in a patient being examined, it is recommended that he be examined for other infections of the reproductive organs, because None of the STDs can be considered in isolation from the others. Due to the common routes of transmission of sexually transmitted infections, infection with one infection indicates the risk of having other infections. Many patients are simultaneously infected with two or more pathogens (mixed infections), which significantly complicates laboratory diagnosis.

Our expert - gynecologist Marina Vedeleeva.

Dangerous Thirty

The topic is very prosaic - sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Almost every one of us has met them in person at least once in our lives. By the way, there are more than 30 of them: from the deadly HIV infection to the banal chlamydia, which, by the way, also cannot be called trivial. Moreover, in terms of prevalence in Russia, it is in second place after the flu.

Of course, most STDs are curable, but not all. For example, you will never be able to get rid of genital herpes - treatment only softens the course of the disease and reduces the frequency and severity of relapses. Only those under 25 have a chance to get rid of (HPV) forever. Later, it will not be possible to destroy the virus; the point of treatment is to eliminate changes in the tissues affected by the virus. By the way, it is believed that the human papillomavirus can cause cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva and penis. The genital herpes virus also affects sperm, and if a woman is infected with it during pregnancy, it can cause severe congenital diseases of the fetus.

Treatment will be successful only if it is started without delay and completed. How to spot the very first danger signals?

The alarm has been declared!

There are seven main signs that you should not delay visiting a doctor if you discover them.

Itching and burning in the intimate area.

Redness in the genital area and anus, sometimes - ulcers, blisters, pimples.

Discharge from the genitals, odor.

Frequent, painful urination.

Enlarged lymph nodes, especially in the groin area.

In women - pain in the lower abdomen, in the vagina.

Discomfort during sexual intercourse.

However, for example, syphilis or chlamydia can appear several weeks after infection, and sometimes STDs can generally run latent for a long time, becoming chronic.

Let's get to know each other better

Chlamydia

Symptoms. 1–4 weeks after infection with it, patients develop purulent discharge, painful urination, as well as pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, bleeding between menstruation in women, and pain in the scrotum and perineum in men.

Why is it dangerous? In women, it can lead to inflammation of the fallopian tubes, cervix, pathologies of pregnancy and childbirth, diseases of the liver, spleen; in men - to inflammation of the epididymis, prostate gland, bladder, and impaired potency. Newborns may develop conjunctivitis, nasopharyngeal lesions, and pneumonia.

Trichomoniasis

Symptoms. They can appear 4–21 days after infection, sometimes later. Women experience copious foamy discharge of a white or yellowish-green color with a pungent odor, causing severe itching and irritation of the genitals, as well as pain, burning during urination, and pain during sexual intercourse. Men experience a burning sensation when urinating, mucopurulent discharge from the urethra. However, this disease is often asymptomatic.

Why is it dangerous? In women, the cervix and inner layer of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and urinary tract are affected. The infection can even cause peritonitis! In men, the prostate gland, testicles and their appendages, and urinary tract are affected.

Mycoplasmosis (in men - ureaplasmosis)

Symptoms. It may reveal itself 3 days after infection, or maybe a month later, manifested by itching and discomfort in the genital area, scanty transparent discharge, and painful urination.

Why is it dangerous? A common complication of trichomoniasis in women is inflammation of the genital organs; in men, a disorder of spermatogenesis.

Gonorrhea

Symptoms. 3–7 days after infection, women experience yellowish-greenish vaginal discharge, frequent, painful urination, pain in the lower abdomen, and sometimes bloody discharge. However, for most representatives of the fairer sex, the disease goes unnoticed for a long time. Men experience pain and burning when urinating, yellowish-greenish purulent discharge from the urethra.

Why is it dangerous? In women, the urethra, vagina, anus, uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes are affected. In men, the internal genital organs develop chronic inflammation of the epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate, which threatens impotence and infertility.

Syphilis

Symptoms. The incubation period of the disease is from 3 to 6 weeks. The first sign is a round ulcer (chancre). In women, it lives on the labia or vaginal mucosa (sometimes in the anus, in the mouth, on the lips), in men - on the penis or scrotum. In itself, it is painless, but a week or two after its appearance, the nearest lymph nodes enlarge. This is the time to start treatment! This is the first stage of the disease, when everything is still reversible. 2–4 months after infection, the second stage develops - a rash “spreads” throughout the body, high fever and headache appear, and almost all lymph nodes become enlarged. In some patients, hair falls out on the head, and wide condylomas grow on the genitals and in the anus.

Why is it dangerous? This disease is called slow death: if not fully treated in time, serious problems arise with the musculoskeletal system, irreversible changes occur in the internal organs and nervous system - the third stage of the disease begins, in which approximately a quarter of patients die.

Forget about the Internet!

Noticed something is wrong? It’s better to play it safe and hurry to see a doctor, rather than look for symptoms and treatment methods on the Internet.

How are STDs diagnosed? First, an examination by a doctor, then tests and studies. The most modern method of DNA diagnostics: PCR (polymerase chain reaction). For examination, scrapings are taken from the urethra, vagina and cervix.

Doctors also use the ELISA method (blood is taken from a vein or a scraping is made and the presence of antibodies to STDs is determined), bacterioscopy (most often detects gonococci and trichomonas) and many other diagnostic methods.

STDs are treated with antibacterial drugs, as well as local procedures (washing the urethra in men, sanitizing the vagina in women and other procedures). At the end of the course of treatment, you must undergo a follow-up examination - take several tests to make sure there is no infection in the body.

How to protect yourself?

The classic self-defense against STDs is the condom. High quality and correctly sized.

Emergency drug prevention is also used - a one-time dose or injection of antibacterial drugs, which can only be prescribed by a dermatovenerologist. The procedure helps prevent gonorrhea, chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, syphilis and trichomoniasis. But this method cannot be used often.

But as for douching after sexual intercourse with special gels or chlorine-containing antiseptics, most experts believe that this does not reduce the risk of infection.

The negative side of sexually transmitted infections is that certain types of pathology are difficult to treat. The only option for the patient is to promptly detect inflammation, i.e., the first signs and symptoms of STDs and get tested for sexually transmitted diseases. This increases the likelihood that complications will not arise, and the underlying health problem can be eliminated in a short time.

The first signs of sexually transmitted diseases in women

There are seven main early signs of sexually transmitted diseases in women, which, if discovered, do not require postponing a visit to the gynecologist:

Unusual copious discharge from the genitals, having an unpleasant odor and a specific consistency.

Frequent urination, accompanied by pain and general discomfort.

Enlargement of regional lymph nodes (especially the groin area).

Pain in the lower abdomen and inside the vagina.

Painful menstruation (previously uncharacteristic).

Discomfort during intimacy, a feeling of the presence of a foreign object, general inflammation of the mucous membrane of the genital tract.

Along with the listed symptoms of venous diseases, a woman will notice redness of the genital area and anus, and in certain cases, erosions, blisters, and rashes.

Symptoms of STDs in women

The symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases that occur in women are similar only at first glance. Signs such as discharge and rash may differ in color, consistency, and location; an increase in temperature is not always relevant, and enlargement of the lymph nodes is not a phenomenon characteristic of every sexually transmitted infection. Therefore, in order to differentiate pathology, not one symptom is taken into account, but a complex of them.

List of STI infections in women

Chlamydia

The first signs of STDs in women are observed 1–4 weeks after infection. The woman develops purulent discharge, urination becomes painful, and the unpleasant sensation spreads to the lower abdomen and lumbosacral back. Noteworthy is the fact that bleeding occurs between menstruation.

If you ignore the listed symptoms of STDs in women and do not begin treatment for the pathology, there is a high probability of inflammation of the fallopian tubes and cervix. Chlamydia also negatively affects the course of pregnancy and creates additional difficulties during labor. A newborn whose mother is sick with the venereal disease in question may develop conjunctivitis, inflammation of the nasopharynx and lungs.

Trichomoniasis

Changes in health status become noticeable between 4 and 21 days from the moment of infection.

The course of this disease confirms that the first signs of sexually transmitted diseases in women do not always appear in the form of purulent vaginal discharge. With trichomoniasis, the patient notes copious discharge of a foamy consistency. They are white or yellowish-green in color and are accompanied by a pungent odor. As it is released, the secretion comes into contact with the genital tract, which causes severe itching, intense irritation of the genitals, and pain - both at rest and during urination.

A woman prefers to maintain sexual rest, since intimacy causes discomfort due to extensive inflammation inside the organs of the reproductive system. Quite often, the pathology occurs without pronounced symptoms of an STI.

It is important to identify the disorder as early as possible, since the complications that it entails are serious - damage to the cervix and inner layer of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, ureters, and urethra. Along with diseases such as cystitis, endometritis, a critical condition defined as peritonitis may develop. Its signs are persistently high body temperature, abdominal pain, and sepsis.

Mycoplasmosis

The disease develops rapidly. The first symptoms of STIs in women are detected 3 days after contact with an infected partner. In rare clinical cases, detection occurs only after a month. Noteworthy is the incessant itching and discomfort in the area of ​​the external and internal genital organs. Urination causes excruciating pain, discharge from the urogenital tract is insignificant, more often transparent.
Unlike men, in whom mycoplasmosis causes problems with sperm production, the functional activity of the reproductive organs of women is not affected, and the main health problems are reduced to chronic inflammation of the genital organs.

Syphilis

A common venereal disease caused by the penetration of the pale spirochete into the body. The first signs of STIs in women are noticeable only after 3 weeks from the moment of infection (this is the minimum period).

Identifying the infection is quite simple: the obvious symptoms of STDs in women are limited to extensive enlargement of the lymph nodes, the appearance of roseola (red spots) and chancre. The patient’s general condition undergoes sudden changes - a period of remission may be replaced by an exacerbation. At the time of development of pink and red multiple spots on the surface of the skin, the level of body temperature rises.

Hard chancre is a specific neoplasm that clearly indicates the presence of syphilis. A well-defined erosion with a hard bottom is approximately 1 cm in diameter. The inflammatory element heals on its own; timely treatment will help speed up this process. If the enlarged lymph nodes are located near the chancre, they are absolutely painless.

Among other manifestations of sexually transmitted infections, massive hair loss attracts attention. If the patient does not seek medical help for a long time, extensive damage to internal organs occurs, which in 25% of cases leads to death.

Gonorrhea

Common infection. Women never experience an STD without symptoms: within a week (on average) after infection, vaginal discharge characteristic of gonorrhea appears. Pathological masses have a yellow or slightly greenish color and an extremely unpleasant purulent odor. Due to constant contact of secretions with the mucous membrane of the bladder, cystitis develops - inflammation of this organ. Urine excretion becomes more frequent, the process is painful, constant nagging pain in the lower abdomen occurs, and additional bleeding occurs between menstruation.

Against the background of these signs, body temperature rises, general malaise occurs, problems with the condition of the skin, the disease also affects the condition of the hair. If a sexually transmitted infection is ignored for a long time, the spleen and liver suffer. The immune system reduces its natural properties.

Often, gonorrhea is detected only when they contact a gynecologist or urologist with complaints of suspected cystitis, adnexitis or endometritis. Gonorrhea tends to involve the tissue of the anus, uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes in the main pathological focus. The most serious complication of the disease is infertility.

Laboratory diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections in women

When the doctor collects maximum information regarding the condition of the disease, clarifies the existing complaints and conducts an examination, the patient needs to undergo a series of tests. Since the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases in women resemble those of many other diseases, laboratory testing includes the following aspects:

1. Culture of secretions. The procedure, carried out in a bacteriological laboratory, takes a long time (at least 1 week), although its result unmistakably indicates an existing health problem.

2. Microflora smear. A sample of discharge from three points of the genital canal is taken from the patient using a special medical probe. Then the material is placed on a glass slide, stained with a special medium to more accurately study the composition of the secretion, and carefully examined under a microscope. In this way, a pathogen of bacterial and fungal origin is detected. Viruses cannot be detected using a smear.

3. ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). A sample of vaginal discharge is examined. The result of the study is ready 5 hours (on average) after taking the analysis.

4. PCR. The most informative analysis to confirm the preliminary diagnosis. To perform a polymerase chain reaction or DNA test for the pathogen, a sample of urine or genital discharge is taken from the patient. The duration of the study on average does not exceed 2 days, the accuracy of the analysis is up to 95%. The method allows you to identify latent or chronic infections. If the patient has purulent inflammation, it is recommended to do ELISA or culture.

5. To determine specific antibodies, venous blood is taken. The purpose of the study is to determine whether an immune response will occur to the presence of a specific pathogen. The method is effective in cases where it is necessary to confirm infections of viral origin (HIV, genital herpes) and syphilis. Since antibodies to bacteria remain in the blood for quite a long time (including after a therapeutic course), the method is never used to diagnose bacterial STIs, including chlamydia. You can read more about testing for STDs on our website.

In addition to the tests listed, the venereologist prescribes a biochemical and clinical blood test, which reveals leukocytosis and an increase in ESR.

Not all sexually transmitted infections can be treated - genital herpes and human papillomavirus infection, for example, can only be stopped. The need for long-term treatment and the wide range of possible complications should serve as motivation for early consultation with a doctor.

STDs in women are diseases that are sexually transmitted. The symptoms of such diseases are varied. However, if any of them appear, you should consult a doctor.

Main symptoms of STDs:

• temperature increase;
• swollen lymph nodes;
• unusual discharge;
• disruptions in the menstrual cycle;
• frequent urination, pain;
• pain in the lower abdomen;
• itching or burning in the genitals;
• pain during sexual intercourse;
• swelling or redness of the external genitalia;
• the appearance of spots, cracks, ulcers and rashes on the genitals.

Sometimes the symptoms disappear, which indicates that the disease has passed into a latent form. These symptoms do not always accurately indicate an STD. Only test results can confirm the diagnosis. You can completely get rid of the disease only with early diagnosis and proper treatment.

To detect a sexually transmitted disease, doctors resort to laboratory tests. Often women must submit material for PCR, ELISA and smear tests. The results allow us to determine the nature of the disease and select the right medications.

Preparation for analysis includes the following measures:

• eliminate medications for several weeks, especially antibiotics (they can distort the results);
• eliminate bad habits;
• avoid stress.

Types of research for STDs in women:

1. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent test (ELISA). The test detects antibodies (proteins) that are produced by the immune system in response to infection.
2. (PCM). The study is effective even during the incubation period and makes it possible to identify all pathogens of the disease.
3. . The sample is placed in an environment favorable for the growth of pathogens to determine their sensitivity to antibiotics.

Bacterioscopy or flora smear is effective for identifying harmful microorganisms in the mucous membranes (vagina, urethra, cervix). Since microorganisms are also present in the normal microflora, a smear makes it possible to detect dangerous elements in the mucous membrane during pathology. In a healthy woman, the microflora includes mostly lactobacilli. Changes in the microflora may indicate a sexually transmitted infection.

A microflora smear is especially indicated for women who have unprotected sex and when planning pregnancy. The analysis is also needed for those who have symptoms of infection, have been taking antibiotics or drugs that suppress the immune system for a long time.

You can donate material for a smear during a gynecological examination (almost painlessly). To keep the material clean, the doctor uses a disposable spatula. The smear is examined in the laboratory.

Treatment of diseases that are sexually transmitted

Most sexually transmitted diseases are treatable. Among chronic diseases: (after 25 years).

For each patient, treatment is chosen individually. The plan will be drawn up depending on the type of disease, symptoms and associated pathologies. Often, the doctor prescribes antibacterial drugs, immunomodulators, and multivitamin complexes. Additionally, a woman should balance her diet, adhere to a healthy lifestyle, and avoid sexual intercourse. It is worth remembering that spontaneous cure for STDs is impossible.

After finishing treatment, you need to take tests again to check the results. To avoid re-infection, you need to choose your sexual partners more carefully and always use protection.

If you notice symptoms of an STD, you cannot choose treatment on your own. Such diseases require treatment with strong drugs, which without medical supervision can harm the body. STDs require diagnosis and treatment only on the advice of an experienced physician. This will help avoid many dangerous consequences.

Incubation period

The first signs of an STD appear only 1-7 days after contracting the infection.

The incubation period of various diseases that are sexually transmitted:

• urogenital chlamydia – 1-3 weeks;
• – from 3 days to 5 weeks;
• HPV – 1-9 months;
• trichomoniasis – 5-7 days;
• genital herpes – 1-10 days;
• syphilis – 3-6 weeks;
• hepatitis B – from 6 weeks to 6 months;
• gonorrhea – 1-5 days.

During the incubation period there are no symptoms, but the woman is already a carrier of the disease. The length of the incubation period may be additional confirmation of the diagnosis.

The most common STDs

Ureaplasmosis (mycoplasmosis)

The condition is caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma. During the first 3-5 weeks after infection, the disease does not manifest itself in any way, but the person is already capable of infecting others. The first symptoms are burning and pain when urinating, unusual discharge. In women, symptoms of ureaplasmosis are few and insignificant. The latent form becomes acute due to hypothermia, stress or suppression of the immune system. The consequences of advanced ureaplasmosis are infertility, miscarriage, and disruptions in the menstrual cycle.

Main symptoms: yellow-gray liquid discharge with an unpleasant odor, itching of the vulva, burning and pain when urinating. This disease is characterized by increased symptoms after menstruation. If treatment is avoided, the acute form will become chronic.

With trichomoniasis, relapses occur after sex, drinking alcohol, suppressed immunity, ovarian dysfunction, or changes in vaginal pH. Trichomoniasis in chronic form creates ideal conditions for the action of chlamydia, gonococci, staphylococci and ureaplasma. The combination of such infections is difficult to correct, causes frequent relapses and complicates the course of the disease.

Genital herpes

The herpes virus is divided into type 1 virus and type 2 virus. Genital is classified as the second type. It is impossible to eliminate the virus from the body. When the body's defenses decrease, the virus manifests itself in this way: damage to the skin and mucous membranes, sometimes inflammation of the central nervous system, respiratory organs, heart and blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system and even the eyes.

The incubation period takes 1-10 days. Women complain of itching, pain, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes in the groin. Genital herpes is typical, atypical and asymptomatic. Treatment for herpes should include antiviral drugs and immunotherapy.