"STD" stands for "sexually transmitted disease". They occur from having unprotected sex. They are not exclusive to heterosexual or homosexual relations, and you can get them from vaginal, anal and oral sex. The Mayo Clinic states that condoms are one of the most effective preventative measures for STDs, but they are not 100 percent effective. The type of symptoms you have depends upon the type of STD you have. Not all people who have an STD show symptoms. Being asymptomatic means you still can infect other sexual partners.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is one of the more common sexually transmitted diseases. It may be spread sexually, as all STDs may be, and it also may be passed from a pregnant mother to her unborn child. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states it may take a month to show symptoms of the disease, and it is possible to show no symptoms at all. When a man does have symptoms, they may include a penis discharge that may be green, yellow or white. Men and women may experience a sensation of burning during urination. Pain and swelling may affect a man's testicles. Women also may produce a discharge from the vagina and bleeding may occur between menstrual cycles.
Syphilis
Syphilis can infect an unborn baby from the mother if she is infected while pregnant, along with the transmission of the disease via sexual contact. One of the problems associated with infecting a fetus is that birth defects may develop, the National Institute of Health reports. It can take three months for symptoms to appear. When they do, they may include one or more sores that typically are painless. While these sores may disappear, it does not mean the disease is gone. The secondary stage of syphilis may show symptoms such as a rash on the skin that may not itch and lesions in your mucus membranes. You also may get lymph node swelling, hair loss, loss of weight and fatigue. In the late stage, such symptoms as incoordination, dementia, blindness and numbness may occur. Damage to internal organs can cause death.
Chlamydia
The Mayo Clinic reports chlamydia as one of the most common STDs in the U.S. The disease can cause such symptoms as pain while urinating or while engaging in sexual intercourse. It also may produce pain in the abdomen's lower region and discharges from the vagina. Men may experience pain in their testes and may have a penis discharge.
