Signs of Syphilis in Women

Syphilis is a bacterial sexually transmitted disease that affected 1,692 women in the United States in 2007, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Syphilis can be treated with penicillin during any stage; however, as syphilis becomes more advanced, the symptoms become more severe. If syphilis is left untreated, the symptoms can culminate into organ dysfunction and even death.

Primary Stage

In the primary stage of syphilis in women, you have a single small sore, called a chancre, that forms on the site of infection: either your vulva, vagina, cervix, tongue or lips. The appearance of the chancre is a painless, hard round sore. The chancre lasts between three to six weeks, and the chancre will go away whether you treat it or not. This primary symptom appears 10 to 90 days after the syphilis infection.

Secondary Stage

The secondary stage of syphilis has the most symptoms. A skin rash appears on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. This rash is not itchy, but it is rough with either red or reddish-brown spots. Additional sores form around your throat, mouth or cervix. Other symptoms include tiredness, fever, headaches, swollen glands, muscle aches and some hair loss. During the secondary stage, you can transmit syphilis to other sex partners.

Latent Stage

The latent stage appears after the symptoms of the primary and secondary stages are over. No symptoms are present during this stage, and syphilis cannot be passed on to another person. However, you can cycle back into the secondary stage at any point during the latent stage.

Late Stage

The late stage of syphilis occurs only if you have not received treatment. Symptoms of the late stage are severe, such as nerve problems, dementia, blindness, paralysis and death. The late stage can start between a few years to 20 years after the syphilis infection.