If you are sexually active woman, you should be screened regularly for sexually transmitted infections. In the Sutter Health network, caring and compassionate doctors provide screening and treatment for STDs. To find out which tests are right for you, talk to your doctor.

A sexually transmitted disease (STD) is an infection that is spread through sexual contact. There are many types of STDs. Some don’t cause symptoms, so you may not know you have it. But STDs are widespread, and almost half of these infections occur in people younger than 25.

Using condoms can protect you from most STDs. Still, screening is important to help stop the spread of STDs. If you are pregnant, you should be screened for certain STDs, in particular chlamydia and syphilis, because of the risk of complications and the possibility of transmitting the disease to your child during birth.

Some of the most common sexually transmitted infections include:

• Chlamydia
• Genital herpes
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) – certain types of HPV can cause cervical cancer in women
• Gonorrhea
• Hepatitis B
• Syphilis
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Treatment

If you think you may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease, see your doctor right away for diagnosis and treatment. Many STDs can be easily diagnosed and treated. If either you or your partner is infected, both of you should receive treatment at the same time.

Symptoms of STDs

Many people who have an STD have no symptoms. But if you have an STD and you don’t get treatment, it may cause health problems such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and infertility. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you may still be able to spread the infection.

Symptoms for Women

• Itching and burning in and around your vagina
• Burning and pain when you pee
• Bleeding when not having a period
• Change in the color, amount or smell of the discharge from your vagina
• Pain inside your vagina when you have sex, or bleeding after sex
• Sores, warts, bumps or blisters around your mouth, vagina or anus
• Pain or cramps when you urinate or have a bowel movement
• Need to pee often
• Flu-like symptoms (such as achy joints, chills and fever)
• Abdominal or pelvic pain

Prevention

The surest way to avoid sexually transmitted infections is to abstain from sexual activity or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected. Latex male condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of STDs.