Wellness Sexual Health Signs and Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) By Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH, is a health writer. She has over a decade of experience as a registered nurse, practicing in a variety of fields, such as pediatrics, oncology, chronic pain, and public health. health's editorial guidelines Published on October 10, 2023 Medically reviewed by Soma Mandal, MD Medically reviewed by Soma Mandal, MD Soma Mandal, MD, is a board-certified internal medicine physician with a specialty in women’s health. learn more Close Strelciuc Dumitru / Getty Images Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), now referred to as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are infections that are spread through sexual contact. There are several different types of STIs and each one has its own unique set of symptoms. Some STIs do share some symptoms, however, which may include burning or pain while peeing or discomfort in the vagina and penis. Some symptoms of STIs come on quickly while others take weeks or even months to develop. In some cases, certain STIs may cause symptoms that flare up and then improve over time. It's worth noting that some STIs don't produce symptoms at all, but can cause serious injury over time. If you are sexually active with new or multiple partners, most healthcare providers recommend regular STI testing to be safe. BV Isn’t an STI, but Can Increase Your Risk of an STI Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal condition that is often mistaken for an STI. In reality, this condition isn't classified as an STI, but raises your risk of contracting an infection. BV is the most common vaginal condition in people assigned female at birth between the ages of 15 and 44. BV develops when the balance of bacteria in the vagina gets thrown off. This leads to the following symptoms: Thin white or gray vaginal discharge Vaginal pain Itchy vagina Strong fish-like odor (especially after sex) Burning sensation when peeing BV is curable, so see your healthcare provider right away if you develop symptoms as this can reduce your risk of contracting an STI. Chlamydia Chlamydia is a common STI that you can treat with medication. This infection is serious and can damage the female reproductive system over time. If you have chlamydia, you may also be at an increased risk of having an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus). Chlamydia does not usually cause symptoms in people assigned female at birth. However, it is possible to start experiencing symptoms once the infection has damaged the reproductive system. Signs of damage include: Abnormal vaginal discharge Burning with urination However, people assigned male at birth are more likely to experience symptoms. Chlamydia may cause: Discharge from penis Burning sensation while peeing Pain and swelling in the testicles In some cases, it's possible to have a chlamydia infection in the rectum (a tube that connects your colon to your anus). When this occurs, it can cause rectal pain, discharge, and bleeding. Gonnorhea Gonorrhea is a common and treatable STI. People ages 15 to 24 are most at risk of developing this infection. Gonorrhea does not usually cause symptoms but it can seriously damage the reproductive symptom. People assigned female at birth do not usually have gonorrhea symptoms. If this infection does cause symptoms, they are usually very mild and may include: Pain or burning with urination Vaginal discharge Bleeding between periods If people assigned male at birth have symptoms, they may include: Burning with urination White, yellow, or green discharge from the penis Painful or swollen testicles A gonorrhea infection in the rectum may cause rectal discharge, itching, bleeding, soreness, and pain with bowel movements. Genital Herpes Genital herpes is a common STI that is caused by two viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Unfortunately, there is no cure for genital herpes, but you can manage the condition with medication. Most people with this infection have very mild symptoms or none at all. If you develop this STI, you'll likely have blisters on or around the genitals, rectum, or mouth. The blisters are usually small and may resemble a pimple or ingrown hair. During a herpes outbreak (a period when symptoms are active), the blisters break open and leave painful sores. Usually, it can take a week or more for the sores to heal. It is also possible to experience flu-like symptoms during an outbreak, such as fever, body aches, and swollen glands. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STI in the United States. This infection causes genital warts and may eventually lead to cancers that affect the cervix, penis, vagina, or vulva over time. Fortunately, HPV and its related cancers can be preventable with the HPV vaccine. Most people with HPV do not develop symptoms and don't even know they have the infection. When HPV causes symptoms, warts develop on or around the genitals, rectum, or mouth. People assigned female at birth may learn that they have HPV from an abnormal pap smear or pelvic exam result. Mycoplasma Genitalium (Mgen) Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen) is a curable STI that is caused by a bacterial infection. This infection can develop in the cervix (the opening to the uterus), the penis, or the rectum. Many people with Mgen do not have symptoms. However, if symptoms do develop. they often look similar to the symptoms of other common STIs. People assigned female at birth may experience abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation while peeing. People assigned male at birth may notice penile discharge or pain during urination. Syphilis Syphilis is a curable STI that develops in stages. This is a serious infection that can affect all areas of the body and requires treatment right away. In the primary stage, syphilis may cause a single sore (or multiple sores) on or around the penis, vagina, anus, rectum, lips, or mouth. The sores are usually firm and round. They do not cause pain, but generally last for about three to six weeks. If left untreated, syphilis can move to the second stage. Secondary-stage symptoms may include: A reddish-brown skin rash on the palms or soles Sores in the mouth, vagina, or anus Fever Swollen lymph nodes Sore throat Headaches Hair loss Unintentional weight loss Muscle aches Fatigue After the secondary stage, syphilis moves to the latent phase—meaning you have no active signs or symptoms of the infection. But over time, latent syphilis can turn into the tertiary stage. Reaching the last stage is rare because most people seek treatment before it develops. In the tertiary stage, the virus has spread throughout the body, which may cause the following complications: Brain and nervous system (neurosyphilis): Headaches, muscle weakness, confusion, memory problems Eyes (ocular syphilis): Eye pain and redness Ears (otosyphilis): Hearing loss, ringing, buzzing, dizziness, vertigo Trichomoniasis Trichomoniasis is a common STI that is caused by a parasitic infection. If you develop this infection, you can treat it with medication. It is estimated that up to 70% of people with trichomoniasis have no signs or symptoms. Those who do experience symptoms can have varying symptoms that range from mild irritation to severe inflammation. Symptoms usually develop within five to 28 days after contracting the infection. However, symptoms can sometimes develop months later as well. People assigned female at birth may experience: Itching, burning, or redness around the vaginaPain with urinationAbnormal vaginal discharge that is clear, white, yellow, or green and has a fishy smell People assigned male at birth may experience: Itching or irritation on or in the penis Burning with urination or ejaculation Penile discharge Symptoms in Children When a pregnant person has an STI, the infection may affect the baby. An STI in a pregnant person raises the risk of premature labor, preterm birth, and uterine infection. Both syphilis and HIV can cross the placenta and affect an unborn baby. A pregnant person may pass gonorrhea, chlamydia, or genital herpes to the baby during childbirth. When a newborn is exposed to an STI, they may develop several serious symptoms including: Low birth weight Eye infection Pneumonia Hepatitis Meningitis Blindness Deafness Coordination problems Brain damage Stillbirth If you are concerned that you may have an STI while pregnant, see your healthcare provider right away. Many STIs can be safely treated during pregnancy and reduce the risk of complications for your baby. Sex-Specific Symptoms STIs can affect the male and female reproductive systems in different ways. Certain STIs, including chlamydia and gonorrhea, cause damage to the female reproductive system and can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is a serious condition that can cause infertility in people assigned female at birth, which often develops when a person has an untreated STI. It is estimated that 10% to 15% of people assigned female at birth with chlamydia go on to develop PID. PID may cause several symptoms including: Lower abdominal pain Fever Foul-smelling vaginal discharge Pain or bleeding with sex Burning while peeing Vaginal bleeding between periods People assigned male at birth rarely experience long-term problems from chlamydia. But in rare cases, the infection can lead to infertility. When to Contact a Healthcare Provider STIs are common and rising—and some STIs lead to serious damage over time. That's why it's especially important to see your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms of an STI or learn that you were exposed to one. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual STI screenings for all people who are sexually active. It's also important to get tested if you have a new sexual partner, multiple sexual partners, or a partner with an active STI. A Quick Review Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) spread through sexual contact. Some STIs do not cause symptoms at all. But if you do develop symptoms, common symptoms of an STI may include pain in or around the genitals, sores or rashes, and burning while peeing. Untreated STIs can lead to serious complications and even infertility. If you develop any possible STI symptoms, see your healthcare provider right away to reduce the risk of complications. Frequently Asked Questions What are the most common STIs? Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STI in the United States. Other common STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, and genital herpes. Are STIs and STDs the same thing? The terms “STIs” and “STDs” both refer to infections that can be spread through sexual contact. However, the more common and correct term is "STI." Can you have symptoms of an STI without knowing? Yes, there are several STDs that have little to no symptoms. If you have multiple or new sexual partners, plan to see your healthcare provider for an STI test to ensure you're not infected. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 12 Sources Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Hlatshwayo M, Reno HEL, Yarbrough ML. STI update: Testing, treatment, and emerging threats. Cleve Clin J Med. 2019;86(11):733-740. doi:10.3949/ccjm.86a.18098 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bacterial vaginosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chlamydia. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gonorrhea. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Genital herpes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Human papillomavirus (HPV). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mgen. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Syphilis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Trichomoniasis. National Institutes of Health. Sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infertility & STDs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pelvic inflammatory disease.