Just The Facts about Sexually Transmitted Infections

Symptoms of STIs


Most people with an STI have no symptoms.


Some STIs will cause very obvious symptoms, but many STIs cause no symptoms or only mild symptoms - so you might not know you have an infection.


If you do have symptoms, they may appear right away, or they might not show up for weeks or even months. They might come and go. Even if the symptoms disappear, you may still have an STI. A test from your healthcare provider may be the only way to tell if you are infected.


Get tested if:


  • You've had  sex with a new partner without using a condom (external or internal/female condom or dental dams).
  • If you or your sexual partner have had sex with someone else without using a condom. 
  • If the person you have sex with has any symptoms.

Possible symptoms of STIs:
In people with a vagina In people with a penis Regardless of genital anatomy
Any discharge from your vagina that smells or is yellow, grey or green. Or any discharge that has a cottage cheese consistency or is very watery Any discharge (often yellow, green, cloudy or watery) from your penis. Rectal symptoms: Pain, discharge, bleeding, or itching in or around the anus.
Pain during sex. Pain in your testicles. Skin rashes, especially on the palms, soles, or torso, may be a sign of syphilis or other conditions.
Pain when peeing. Pain when peeing. Swollen lymph nodes in the groin
Pain in your lower tummy/abdomen. Swelling in one or both testicles
Blisters, sores, spots or lumps around your genitals. Blisters, sores, spots or lumps around your genitals.
Itching or burning or pain around your genitals. Itching or burning or pain around your genitals.
Spotting or irregular bleeding between periods.
Bleeding during or after sex that is not your period.


Note: External genitalia is commonly referred to as the ‘vagina’, although the correct term is actually the vulva.


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