What are the symptoms of syphilis in females?

Syphilis occurs when bacteria called Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum) pass from one person to another, usually during sexual contact.

The condition develops in several stages. Understanding the symptoms can help a person monitor the condition.

Read on to learn more about the symptoms of syphilis in females. This article also looks at how the condition progresses, how long symptoms take to appear, and more.

Syphilis generally causes the same symptoms in males and females.

The first stage of syphilis causes a sore known as a chancre to develop at the point of contact with another person’s sores.

As this mainly occurs due to sexual contact, sores might occur in the vagina or vulva. During the first stage of syphilis, chancres will last 3 to 6 weeks, but they should not cause pain. They usually heal on their own, but treatment for syphilis is still important to prevent it from progressing to its second stage.

It is important to note that a person may not notice a chancre, particularly if they develop inside the vagina.

Symptoms of syphilis generally develop in stages. They are usually the same for females and males.

After the sores develop in the first stage, a person may go on to experience symptoms of the second, latent, and tertiary stages of syphilis.

Second stage syphilis typically causes a non-itchy rash to develop. It usually affects the trunk, the soles of the feet, and the palms of the hands, though it can develop elsewhere in the body.

The rash may occur while the chancre is healing, but it often develops afterward. The rash is sometimes faint and hard to notice. It may take the form of red or brown rough spots.

Large, raised lesions called condyloma lata might also develop in warm, moist areas, such as the mouth, groin, or armpit.

As there are many possible causes of rashes, it is important to contact a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. The rash can also appear different on different skin tones, so a person should inform a doctor about any skin symptoms.

Other symptoms during this stage might include:

During this stage, a person usually experiences no symptoms at all. Syphilis remains in the body, but it is inactive.

This stage can last for years. Treatment is still necessary to prevent progression to the tertiary stage.

This stage is rare and only occurs in people who have not received adequate treatment for syphilis.

It may occur up to 30 years after the initial infection. Tertiary syphilis can have potentially fatal or disabling effects on major organs, the nervous system, and the ability to see and hear.

This stage can also cause:

• cardiovascular syphilis, which can cause inflammation of the aorta
• neurosyphilis, which can cause:
  • meningitis
  • headaches
  • confusion
  • stroke
  • changes in how a person walks
  • seizures
  • psychiatric problems
• gummatous syphilis, which can cause lesions on the skin, in the organs, or in bone

It is possible to transmit syphilis to the fetus during pregnancy.

A 2022 review reported that syphilis is the second-leading cause of stillbirth worldwide. It can also lead to the following complications:

• newborn infections
• premature delivery
• low birth weight

A person with syphilis may be able to breastfeed or chestfeed. If they have no sores around their nipples or on the breast, it will probably be safe.

Those with sores that have spread to the chest area could hand-express or pump milk until the sores heal. However, if the breast pump touches a sore, it is not safe to use this milk.

Here are some frequently asked questions about syphilis.

Syphilis symptoms can take 10 to 90 days to develop after the initial infection. On average, people may not be aware they have syphilis until after around 21 days. Some people may not notice symptoms.

A small sore called a chancre is often the first symptom of syphilis. It usually develops in the genital area. Chancres usually resolve without treatment within 3 to 6 weeks, but the condition will usually progress to the next stage without treatment.

Syphilis causes similar symptoms in females and males. In females, sores called chancres can develop in the vulva or vagina. Other symptoms can include:

• rash
• sore throat
• headache
• fever
• hair loss
• swollen glands
• fatigue

It is possible to transmit syphilis to the fetus during pregnancy. Every pregnant person should undergo testing for syphilis as soon as possible.

People can still breastfeed or chestfeed if they have syphilis but may need to switch to pumping milk, being careful to avoid sores. If a bottle or an infant’s mouth touches a sore, there is a risk of transmission.

Antibiotics can treat syphilis and prevent severe complications, including cognitive changes and organ damage. It is important to contact a doctor as early as possible for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.