Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause symptoms including changes to urination and discharge, itching, painful sex, bleeding, sores, rashes, and pregnancy complications in females.
STIs are infections that develop when bacteria, viruses, or parasites pass between people during sexual contact. Some have a cure that removes the infectious organism from the body, while others remain in the body and may require long-term management.
People can reduce the risk of STIs through some types of contraception, reducing sexual contact, or vaccinations. The infections can cause different symptoms in males and females, and factors such as pregnancy can also increase the risk of complications in females who acquire an STI.
STIs may never cause symptoms. However, according to the American Urological Association, STIs generally cause the following symptoms in females when they occur:
Symptoms that may affect both sexes include:
The Office on Women’s Health advises that some STIs can lead to
Females also have a
According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, people can reduce the risk of STI transmission in the following ways:
- limiting the number of sexual partners, as the risk increases with the number of sexual partners
- using condoms consisting of latex or polyurethane during every sexual encounter involving vaginal, anal, or oral sex
- developing an awareness of which sexual practices increase transmission risk, such as anal sex (which can lead to tissue breakage and transmission in the rectum) and practices involving bodily fluids
- receiving vaccines for HPV and hepatitis B
During pregnancy, STIs can lead to premature labor, increase the risk of infant mortality, and lead to infections in the womb after birth.
Some STIs, including syphilis, can transfer between the birthing individual and their baby through the placenta. Others, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, and hepatitis, might pass on in the birth canal. HIV can transfer at any time during pregnancy or delivery.
If an infant acquires an STI during pregnancy, their risk of serious complications increases, including:
- a birth weight under 5 pounds
- infections in the eyes, lungs, or blood
- brain damage
- coordination issues
- deafness
- blindness
- liver inflammation and chronic liver disease with scarring
- meningitis
- mortality
People can take antibiotics to treat chlamydia, syphilis, trichomoniasis, and gonorrhea. Females can use certain antibiotics during pregnancy safely. Most STI treatments are also safe to continue during breastfeeding, but some caution is necessary.
Females with HPV, gonorrhea, or chlamydia can breastfeed. Those with trichomoniasis can take metronidazole, an antibiotic, to cure the STI during breastfeeding but may need to wait 12 to 24 hours before breastfeeding after taking it. Individuals with herpes or syphilis can breastfeed if the infant or pump does not come into contact with sores.
It is not advisable for people living with HIV to breastfeed.
Some STIs may transfer to females during sexual assault.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that the
Medical professionals recommend attending an examination as soon as possible to test for STIs and receive vaccinations.
Doctors may administer the following treatments after an assault to reduce the risk of several STIs:
- antibiotics, including ceftriaxone, doxycycline, or metronidazole
- post-exposure hepatitis B vaccination for those with unknown vaccination status or a booster dose for those with a previous vaccination
- HPV vaccination
- HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), depending on the circumstances and an individual’s health status
Common sexually transmitted infection (STI) symptoms in females include burning or more frequent urination, foul-smelling discharge, pain during sex, itching, abnormal vaginal bleeding, sores, and rashes. The exact symptoms depend on the STI. Some common STIs include gonorrhea, HPV, chlamydia, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.
STIs can also affect female fertility, pregnancy, and breastfeeding, which can pose a significant risk for embryos and newborns. Treatment can reduce the risk of transmission between the birthing individual and their child. Transmission can also occur during sexual assault, so prompt diagnosis, vaccines, and management afterward are essential for reducing the effects of any STIs.
It is important that people discuss any positive diagnoses with previous or current partners. Having these discussions is essential in helping ensure that all potentially involved individuals receive treatment as soon as possible and abstain from sexual activity until afterward.
