10 sexually transmitted diseases you should know and how to prevent them for safe and enjoyable sex

1. Gonorrhea

The disease is caused by bacteria with the scientific name Neisseria gonorrhoeae .

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection that affects both men and women.

In the early stages, the disease is difficult to detect because there are almost no specific symptoms. When it has progressed, men may experience symptoms such as painful urination, pus discharge from the penis, painful swelling of the testicles... Women may experience increased abnormal vaginal discharge, painful urination, pus in the urine, lower abdominal pain... which can be easily confused with common gynecological and urinary tract infections.

2. Flagellate

The common causative agent is the bacterium Trichomonas vaginalis.

When the agents invade, women will experience symptoms such as increased vaginal discharge, mixed with air bubbles, green/gray/yellow-green color, unusual odor, vaginal itching. In men, the disease causes itching or irritation inside the penis, burning after urination or ejaculation, discharge from the penis...

Most early stage trichomonas infections will have no or very few symptoms, leading to prolonged disease progression, which can cause complications such as vaginitis, cervicitis or uterine inflammation, increased risk of other sexually transmitted diseases, premature birth in pregnant women...

3. Vaginal yeast infection

Candida albicans is the most common cause of the disease. When infected with vaginal yeast infection, the patient has symptoms of vaginal itching, abnormal vaginal discharge, unpleasant odor, and white clumps.

This is a common gynecological disease, easy to treat, but if the vagina is not cleaned properly, the disease can recur. If the disease persists, it can cause more dangerous diseases such as immunodeficiency, sepsis, and even affect reproductive health.

4. Genital herpes

The disease is caused by the Herpes simplex virus (HSV), common symptoms include blister rash, clusters of blisters on the genitals, swelling, pain, and swollen lymph nodes.

Currently, medication can only help relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of transmission to others. Acute episodes can be completely cured but have a high risk of recurrence.

5. Genital warts

Genital warts are caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and 11. The disease occurs in both men and women, but is more common in women due to the vaginal environment being favorable for the virus to develop.

Genital warts are also known as cockscomb disease, genital warts, genital warts.

When entering the body, the virus hides in the epithelial layer of the bottom layer of the skin and is often asymptomatic. The HPV virus has an incubation period of several months to several years and causes symptoms such as small papules or papules, pink or pink-white papules, initially 1-2 mm in size and gradually growing larger, forming large masses resembling cockscombs, usually painless.

Complications of genital warts are very complicated. In pregnant women, the disease causes miscarriage, stillbirth or premature birth. The fetus is also at risk of contracting the disease after birth or being infected when breastfeeding.

6. Chlamydia

The disease is caused by a type of bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. The disease progresses silently and is difficult to detect. Women can detect the disease through symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge, frequent urination, abdominal pain, back pain, nausea, pain/bleeding during sex... Men often have symptoms such as painful urination, penile discharge...

Chlamydia, if not treated early, can cause infertility in women and many other dangerous complications.

7. Ureaplasma, Mycoplasma infection

Patients infected with Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma bacteria often progress silently, without symptoms. In some cases, it can cause male/female genital discharge, burning urination, painful urination...

If not treated promptly, it can lead to vaginitis, cervicitis, increased risk of infections and cause many other reproductive problems.

8. Syphilis

Syphilis bacteria have the scientific name Treponema pallidum .

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that can leave many dangerous complications.

Normally, about 50% of people with the disease do not show symptoms. The rest, after 10-90 days from exposure to the pathogen, will have painless ulcers on their bodies that can disappear on their own after 3-6 weeks without treatment, so patients can easily ignore it. However, if it progresses severely, the disease can cause many dangerous complications and damage organs in the body such as joints, skin, kidneys, brain, eyes, etc., even threatening life.

9. HIV

HIV is one of the most dangerous sexually transmitted diseases today. In the early stages, the disease does not show typical symptoms, so patients often do not know they are infected if they do not actively test for screening.

There is currently no cure for HIV, but people can be treated with antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to stop the virus from multiplying and reduce the risk of spreading it to others.

10. Hepatitis B

In addition to the two main routes of transmission through blood and from mother to child, hepatitis B can also be transmitted sexually.

If you experience unusual symptoms such as jaundice, yellow eyes, dark urine, fever, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, etc., you should see a doctor early for timely treatment to avoid serious complications such as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer, etc.

Currently, there is no complete cure for the disease, only drugs to control the virus's ability to function. Patients should be vaccinated to effectively prevent the disease.

Experts recommend 6 methods to prevent sexually transmitted diseases:

1/ Use protection (condoms) during sex;

2/ Monogamous sexual relationship with one partner;

3/ Keep the private area clean;

4/ Regularly examine and test for sexually transmitted diseases for yourself and your partner;

5/ Get vaccinated against sexually transmitted diseases such as HPV, hepatitis B...

6/ See a doctor immediately if you notice any unusual symptoms such as genital discharge, genital pain, itching, warts, ulcers, painful urination, frequent urination...