Women's Health

Sexually transmitted infections are common. They're medical conditions, not moral failings, and most are treatable, many are curable. Getting tested is one of the most caring things you can do for yourself and your partners. This guide is educational; testing and treatment require a healthcare provider.

"STI" (infection) is the more current and accurate term, a person can have an infection without symptoms or full-blown disease. "STD" (disease) is older language. They're often used interchangeably. Either way, no judgment.

• Symptoms: Often none. Possible discharge, burning with urination, pelvic pain, bleeding between periods or after sex.
• Testing: Urine sample or vaginal/cervical swab. Annual screening for sexually active people under 25 and those with new partners.
• Treatment: Single dose or short course of antibiotics (azithromycin or doxycycline). Partners must be treated too.
• Prevention: Condoms, regular testing, mutual monogamy with tested partners.
• Untreated risk: PID, infertility, ectopic pregnancy.

• Symptoms: Often none. Possible thick discharge, pelvic pain, painful urination, throat or rectal infection symptoms.
• Testing: Urine, swab of cervix, throat, or rectum.
• Treatment: Injectable ceftriaxone + sometimes oral antibiotic. Drug resistance is rising, take the full course.
• Prevention: Condoms, dental dams, regular screening.
• Untreated risk: PID, infertility, disseminated infection.

• Symptoms: Painful blisters or sores on genitals, mouth, or anus; tingling/itching before outbreaks; flu-like symptoms during first outbreak. Many people have no symptoms.
• Testing: Swab of an active sore is most accurate. Blood tests detect antibodies but aren't routinely recommended without symptoms.
• Treatment: No cure, but very manageable. Antivirals (acyclovir, valacyclovir) shorten outbreaks and can be taken daily for suppression. Suppressive therapy also lowers transmission to partners.
• Prevention: Condoms reduce but don't eliminate risk (virus can shed from skin not covered). Avoid sex during outbreaks. Disclose to partners.
• Important: Herpes is incredibly common, 1 in 6 adults has HSV-2; most adults have HSV-1. It doesn't define you.

• Stages: Primary (painless sore/chancre), Secondary (rash, fever, lymph nodes), Latent (no symptoms), Tertiary (organ damage years later).
• Testing: Blood test, routine prenatal screening.
• Treatment: Penicillin injection, highly effective, especially early. More doses needed for later stages.
• Prevention: Condoms, regular testing, syphilis rates are rising globally.
• Untreated risk: Severe long-term organ, neurologic, and cardiovascular damage; congenital syphilis in pregnancy.

• Symptoms: Flu-like illness 2–4 weeks after infection (fever, swollen glands, rash). Then often no symptoms for years.
• Testing: Blood or oral swab. Rapid tests available. Window period: 10 days to 3 months depending on test type.
• Treatment: Antiretroviral therapy (ART), daily medication that suppresses the virus to undetectable levels. Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U). People on effective treatment live full lives and don't transmit sexually.
• Prevention: Condoms; PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis, daily pill or injection); PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis, within 72 hours of exposure); regular testing.
• HIV is a manageable chronic condition with care. Stigma is the bigger danger, find providers who lead with compassion.

• Standard prenatal panel typically includes HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and often chlamydia and gonorrhea. Some areas screen for hepatitis C and herpes too.
• Repeat testing in the third trimester is recommended in higher-risk areas or with new exposures.
• Before TTC: Get a full STI panel, some infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV) can affect fertility or be passed to baby. Early treatment protects both.
• Partner testing: Encourage your partner to test too, reinfection is real.
• Untreated STIs in pregnancy can cause miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight, and congenital infection. Treatment in pregnancy is safe and saves lives.

• Before a new partner, after a new partner, after unprotected sex, annually if sexually active, and any time you have symptoms.
• Options: primary care, OBGYN/midwife, Planned Parenthood, free local clinics, at-home test kits.
• Many test panels are confidential and low-cost or free.
• Knowing your status is empowering, not shameful.