STD Symptoms in Men and Women (Genital, Groin and Skin)

There are a number of sexually transmitted diseases but in men, the most commonly seen infections include chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, HPV (human papilloma virus), syphilis and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). HIV infection rarely presents with the signs and symptoms discussed below, except for short term lymph node swelling.

A sexually transmitted infection is the transmission of a pathogenic microorganism through sexual intercourse – the most prominent signs and symptoms may be seen on and around the genitalia, perianal area and mouth. It may also involve the eyes, skin, certain glands and lymph nodes. With systemic infections like HIV, many non-genitourinary organs are also affected to varying degrees. Refer to the early signs of HIV infection.

STD symptoms

STD Symptoms in Men

Men who are at a greater risk are those who :

  • Have multiple sexual partners
  • Practice unprotected sex (whether oral, anal or vaginal)
  • Have a previous history of sexually transmitted infections

These infections  may present with various signs and symptoms in the groin area that may be indistinguishable from other medical conditions. To the untrained eye, it is often difficult to identify the causative organism simply by the physical signs and symptoms. However, the following clinical features should raise the concern about a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Urethral Pain

Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra, whether due to infectious or non-infectious causes, and pain is a common feature. It is often associated with an infection, especially if it is accompanied by urethral discharge (typically thick, foul smelling).

The pain may be persistent or only present upon urination, during an erection or ejaculation. With the latter, blood in the semen (hematospermia) may be noticed although this could be indicative of pathology within other areas, like the epididymis, which may not be related to an infection.

While urethral pain may be present with sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia in men, it can also be caused by a number of other micororganisms, especially bacteria, that are responsible for UTIs (urinary tract infections) and prostatitis.

Other Pain with STI’s

Pain in the groin region or of the genitals, with or without skin rashes, sores, ulcers or enlarged lymph nodes, may be experienced in many STI’s. Pain in the groin region is a non-specific symptom and without any other features, genital herpes should first be considered although it can be attributed to other infections as well. Other causes of pain include :

  • Testicular paingonorrhea, chlamydia (rare)
  • Prostate pain (prostatitis) in young men may be due to an STI.
  • Painful urination – gonorrhea, chlamydia
  • Painless sore – possibly syphilis or if genital wart(s) then consider HPV infection.

Urethral Discharge

Urethral discharge is a common sign of sexually transmitted infections (STI’s). It may be accompanied by urethral pain and other signs and symptoms of STI’s or may occur on its own. It is important to differentiate discharge from seminal fluid.

Discharge due to an infection is usually purulent – appearing white to yellow, rarely green, with a typically offensive smell, which may be described as a fishy odor. Urethral discharge is often seen with gonorrhea or chlamydia, but like with urethral pain, it may also be a result of a urinary tract infection or prostatitis which is not associated with an STI.

Skin Rash in Men

Itching is prominent in genital herpes and may occur on its own with no skin rash initially. The itching in genital herpes may extend to the buttock region. Itching may also be seen in gonorrhea when it affects the rectum. Less frequently, itching is reported with syphilis and genital warts.

Many STI’s with cutaneous features will initially present as a flat or slightly raised red skin rash (erythema). This will develop into sores, ulcers or warts over time. A general red skin rash on the groin or genitals may be due to a number of causes that may not be related to an STI.

This includes fungal infections like jock itch, other skin diseases like eczema or psoriasis, allergic reactions to latex condoms and lubricants, or chaffing from poorly fitting underwear. In men, the concern about prolonged use of laptops resting on the thighs or over the genitals needs to be investigated if the skin has a red to brown mottled appearance (erythema ab igne).

Read more on HIV skin infections.

Sores, Ulcers and Warts

The typical syphilis sore is known as a chancre and appears like a tiny lump, sometime decribed by patients as a large pimple. In genital herpes, small red bumps and/or water-filled pimples may be early skin features.  Both genital herpes and syphilis skin lesions may progress into ulcers (open sores) over time. In genital herpes, pain and itching is severe while in syphilis, sores are usually painless.

Genital warts are typical of HPV infection. It is skin-colored and multiple warts lying close to each other are sometimes described as cauliflower-shaped eruptions. Wart-like sores on the genitals may be seen in secondary syphilis.

Swelling

Enlarged lymph nodes may be seen with any sexually transmitted disease. It is a prominent feature in syphilis and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Swelling of the testis (orchitis) may be an indication of gonorrhea and very rarely of chlamydia. At times, the swelling may be isolated to the periphery of the testis and this may be a result of inflammation of the epididymis (epididymitis). When both the testis and epididymis are affected, it is known as epididymo-orchitis.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Gastrointestinal symptoms are rarely considered as a part of a sexually transmitted infection as signs and symptoms related to the skin and/or genitourinary tract is often thought as the only sites affected by these infections. However, sexually transmitted infections can cause a range of gastrointestinal symptoms often related to the route of entry i.e. oral or rectal. It is more often seen in men who have sex with men (MSM).

Rectal Symptoms

Proctitis is the inflammation of the rectum. The most common infectious cause of proctitis in men is a sexually transmitted disease. Among the more common diseases are gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes and syphilis. Signs and symptoms of proctitis include :

Outbreaks of severe proctitis among men who have sex with men is sometimes seen with certain strains of Chlamydia trachomatis and could lead to lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV).

Bowel Symptoms

It is rare for these sexually transmitted diseases to cause any symptoms higher up the gut. However, if other gastrointestinal symptoms are present and sexual transmission is suspected, it could be associated with :

  • Entamoeba histolytica (amebiasis)
  • Shigella spp
  • Campylobacter spp
  • Cryptosporidium spp

The signs and symptoms may present shortly after sexual contact, often within 24 to 72 hours, and may include :

  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea

The sexual mode of transmission in infectious gastroenteritis is often missed. However, it should highlight the possibility of risky sexual behavior and an increased risk of STD’s.

STD Symptoms in Women

Women are at greater risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections if they :

  • have intercourse with multiple partners
  • practice unprotected sex
  • have a previous history of a sexually transmitted infection

Alcohol misuse and drug (narcotic) use may also be considered as risk factors but is often related to impaired judgement with regard to safe sex. The co-existence of more than one sexually transmitted infection is more commonly associated with risky sexual behavior particularly among sex workers.

Many sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) remain silent (asymptomatic) for long periods of time, and a woman may be a carrier and pass an infection to her partner without knowing that she is carrying the disease. Regular screening, practicing safe sex and a monogamous relationship are therefore essential in preventing and quickly treating any infection.

The signs and symptoms that should alert a woman to the possibly of a sexually transmitted infection includes :

  • Swollen groin lymph nodes
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Pain or burning sensation upon urination and/or during intercourse
  • Itchy vagina and vulva, often with pain
  • Inflamed vulva – vulvitis
  • Genital and perianal lumps, warts
  • Genital ulcers
  • Abnormal, non-menstrual vaginal bleed

Lower abdominal and pelvic pain is frequently seen with STDs in women but may be due to a host of other causes unrelated to an infection. These signs and symptoms may arise anywhere from a few days to several weeks after infection with a few diseases laying dormant and asymptomatic for years. Genital candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis are not considered as sexually transmitted diseases but may cause many of the symptoms mentioned above.

Generalized symptoms like a headache, acute fever, skin rashes and fatigue shortly after infection is more likely to be due to HIV infection. The more common causes are discussed under the various symptoms of STD’s, however, certain diseases may present in an uncharacteristic manner at times.

Vaginal Discharge

An abnormal vaginal discharge may be seen in most sexually transmitted infections but is more prominent in :

  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea
  • Trichomoniasis

Pelvic Pain

Pain may be present in the lower abdomen or pelvis, isolated to the external genitalia (vulva, vagina) and/or urethra (urethritis). The pain may exacerbate during urination, sexual intercourse and even if straining to defecate.

Skin Rash in Women

The skin symptoms in sexually transmitted infections may vary in presentation from a red itchy rash, to blisters, open sores, boils and warts. It may be isolated to the groin or extend to the perianal area. Other sites commonly affected include the mouth, although a generalized skin rash may be seen in certain infections like HIV.

Skin rash

  • Genital herpes
  • HIV

Genital sores/ulcers

  • Genital herpes
  • Syphilis – painless chancre

Genital warts

  • Human papilloma virus (HPV)

References

  1. Sexually tansmitted disease symptoms. Mayo Clinic

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