The 10 Most Common STDs in Women

The 10 Most Common STDs in Women. In addition, anyone who has an active sex life is at risk of contracting an STD. The 10 Most Common STDs in Women  are Sexually Transmitted Diseases caused by viruses, bacteria or other microbes that are transmitted mainly through sexual intercourse without the use of condoms with a person who is infected and many who contract them, in this case. we are specifying Women, often carelessly, end up ignoring.

The greatest risk occurs when the person has a relationship with multiple partners, or when the partner has had or has multiple partners. Also, when sexual intercourse was performed (or usually is) without the use of a condom (condom).

The main symptoms of STDs are:

• Burning and/or itching in the vagina;
• Vaginal discharge ;
• Pain during intimate contact;
• Vaginal swelling;
• Redness in the entire genital organ;
• Pain/difficulty urinating;
• Pain in the lower abdomen;
• Bad smell in the vagina ;
• Sore in the genital organ.

The numbers are alarming. A survey carried out by the Ministry of Health says that more than 10.3 million Brazilians have already had some sign or symptom of a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD). Of this total, about 18% of men and 11.4% of women did not seek medical attention and the same survey also shows that men are 31.2% more likely to have any signs or symptoms of contracting STDs at some stage in their lives. .

Among the various Sexually Transmitted Diseases, we list The 10 Most Common STDs in Women  and they are:

1- HPV:  The Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV, is a virus that lives in the skin and mucous membranes of human beings, such as the vulva, vagina, cervix and penis. When it affects the genitals it is a sexually transmitted infection (STD). Unprotected sex is the main cause of transmission.

It is also possible for the transmission of HPV from mother to child at the time of delivery, due to the maternal genital tract being infected. However, only a small number of children develop juvenile respiratory papillomatosis.

HPV can be controlled, but there is still no cure for the virus. When left untreated, it becomes the main cause of cervical cancer development. 99% of women who have cervical cancer have been infected by this virus. Among the main symptoms are:

• Several small warts in the male or female intimate region;
• These warts can still be present in the cervix region (they are not easily visible) and not be present in the female external intimate region;
• In the female organism, the lesions usually develop on the vulva, vagina, cervix;
• In both genders, the anus, throat, mouth, feet and hands are places where the HPV virus usually manifests itself.

Diagnosis: Usually the discovery of HPV happens in some routine exam, such as pap smear, colposcopy, vulvoscopy, peniscopy or anoscopy.

2- Syphilis: Caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum is one of the most common STDs in women . It presents itself in two ways: congenital (from mother to child) and acquired (occurring through contamination through blood transfusion or sexual contact). Acquired syphilis manifests in three stages: primary, secondary and tertiary. Among the main symptoms are:

• Skin sores or red spots on the hands and feet that usually don’t itch and go away on their own;
• fever ;
• Sore throat and swollen glands;
• hair loss ;
• Headache ;
• Muscle aches ;
• weight loss ;
• Tiredness.

Diagnosis: clinical and laboratory (VDRL blood test).

3- Giardiasis: Intestinal disease generated by the protozoan that receives the name of Giardia lamblia and can occur due to poor sanitation, through water or food contaminated with feces, incorrect hygiene habits such as putting a dirty hand in the mouth or sexual habits such as unprotected anal sex or cunnilingus.

The symptoms are varied, and the latency time varies from 1 to 4 weeks after infection. Acute diarrhea with watery stools, severe abdominal pain, fatty stools, flatulence and nausea are some of the symptoms.

4- Trichomoniasis:  Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. In women, trichomoniasis is one of the main causes of vaginitis and vaginal discharge . In females, Trichomonas vaginalis infection can also be asymptomatic, but at least 2/3 of infected women have symptoms.

The most common condition is vaginitis, inflammation of the vagina that courses with a greenish-yellow discharge with an unpleasant odor associated with dysuria (pain when urinating), dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse) and vaginal pruritus (itching). Untreated trichomoniasis is a risk factor for infertility and cervical cancer. In pregnant women, the infection is associated with premature birth.

5- Vaginosis: Bacterial  vaginosis is a vaginal infection caused by the abnormal proliferation of natural bacteria in the vagina, being the main cause of vaginal discharge in women of childbearing age. Gardnerella vaginalis is a bacterium that is part of the normal vaginal flora of 20 to 80% of sexually active women.

Therefore, it is very common among lesbians – data from a study by the University of Washington show that 25% of lesbians surveyed had vaginosis – it is usually poorly treated, as it is confused with candidiasis by girls, who self-medicate.

Symptoms are:  Discharge , itching in the genital area and unpleasant odor (fishy smell), especially after sexual intercourse. Vaginosis are infections in the vagina, and in the presence of any of these symptoms, go to the gynecologist and do not self-medicate – vaginosis is easily treatable as long as the correct medication is used.

6- Donovanosis: It is a chronic progressive STD, caused by the bacterium Klebsiella granulomatis. It preferentially affects the skin and mucous membranes of the genitalia, groin and anus regions. It causes ulcers and destroys infected skin. It is infrequent, occurring most often in tropical and subtropical climates.

After infection, a lesion appears that turns into a sore or red lump. It doesn’t hurt and doesn’t have a red sore and it bleeds easily, it can reach large areas and compromise the skin around it, facilitating infection by other bacteria.

Diagnosis: Laboratory: demonstration of Donovan’s bodies in a smear of material from suspicious lesions or tissue cuts stained with Giemsa or Wright.

7- Chlamydia: Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) worldwide. This STD is often silent and can affect both men and women, it is not difficult to treat. But if not given proper attention, it can trigger more serious health problems. Among the main symptoms are:

• Burning when urinating;
• Abdominal pain;
• Vaginal discharge ;
• Painful penetration during the sexual act, in the case of women;
• Bleeding between menstrual periods and after sexual intercourse;
• Pain in the testicles;
• Rectal pain or discharge;
• Symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease.

Diagnosis: Tests involve taking samples of urethral secretions or secretions from the cervix. If the individual engages in anal sex, samples taken from the rectum may also be requested.

8- Gonorrhea:  Gonorrhea or gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It affects as many men as women, being one of the most common STDs in developed countries. The disease usually affects young adults with an active sex life, between 15 and 29 years of age.

In addition, when there are oral and anal intercourse, pain in the throat and inflammation of the anus can also arise. The disease can manifest quickly, in some cases 24 hours after sexual intercourse without a condom. In some women, the disease has no symptoms. But among the main symptoms are:

• Pain or burning when urinating;
• Yellow or sometimes bloody discharge ;
• bleeding;
• Pain during sex;
• bleeding;
• Infections that occur in the throat, eye, or anus can show symptoms in these parts of the body.

Diagnosis: clinical-epidemiological and laboratory.

9- Mononucleosis (Kissing Disease):  Caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), transmitted by saliva, with contaminated objects and by blood transfusion. It takes the incubation period that lasts from 30 to 45 days. Cause Sore throat ; Fatigue; Swelling of the lymph nodes; loss of appetite; Liver inflammation; Spleen hypertrophy… but it can be asymptomatic. It looks like a strong flu and usually passes without being identified.

10- Pediculosis of the Pubis:  Infestation of the pubic region caused by an insect of the lice group and whose only manifestation is the intense pruritus (itching) it causes. By contiguity, it can also affect the hair of the lower abdomen, anus and thighs. Eventually they affect the eyebrows and eyelashes (by self-inoculation).

Pubic lice or boring, males measure about 1 millimeter and females, larger, 1.5 millimeters, and their eggs (nits), measure around 2 millimeters. The pruritus (itching) caused by the parasitosis is caused by the insect’s saliva, released when it sucks the blood of the host.

Diagnosis:  Essentially clinical. With the aid of a magnifying glass, the presence of mites or their eggs can be confirmed.

The most important thing is to consult a gynecologist at least once a year, whether or not you have had protected sex. Do preventive tests such as complete blood count, transvaginal and pap smear every 6 months to see if any diseases are appearing in your blood.

The more you take care of yourself, the sooner you will identify the disease and the more chances you have of total cure. The more cautious and cautious you are, the better it will be for you and for all the people you share intimate moments with.