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Sexually transmitted diseases: Symptoms, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (2022)

A venereal disease, or also called venereal disease, sexually transmitted disease or infection (SOS / SOI) is a group of infectious diseases that are sexually transmitted, either through vaginal intercourse, anal or oral. The infection occurs through contact between skin and mucous membranes in the mouth, genitals and intestines, some can also be transmitted through blood. The infection can be caused by bacteria, viruses, mites and lice. STDs are among the most common infections in the world, and there is effective treatment for most. They are easily transmitted as you are often completely without symptoms and signs of infection for a long time, and thus often infect others without being aware of it.

Symptoms of STDs

The symptoms vary between the different sexually transmitted diseases, but general symptoms are:

Changed discharge in women (changed smell, amount, color, consistency)
Discharge from the penis
Itching, burning, discomfort when urinating (or even outside of urination)
Blood in the urine
Changed color and odor of urine
Small vaginal bleeding in women
Rash, blisters, sores or warts on the genitals or around the rectum
Discomfort, pain from the abdomen or lower back

Types of STDs

The most common venereal disease caused by bacteria in Norway is chlamydia. Other bacterial diseases are gonorrhea, mycoplasma, and syphilis.
Among the viral diseases, herpes and genital warts (HPV) are the most commonly seen, less common viral diseases are hepatitis and HIV.
Trichomonas is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a parasite, and there are other sexually transmitted diseases such as scabies mites and flat lice.
Other infections in the abdomen are bacterial vaginosis and fungal infections, but these are not considered sexually transmitted diseases.

Read about HPV and the HPV vaccine here Read about the pap test campaign and why you should get tested

Risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases

Unprotected intercourse is the biggest risk factor for becoming infected with a venereal disease. The most commonly used contraceptive today is the contraceptive pill, and as this does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, there is an increased risk of infection during intercourse. There is also a risk of infection during anal or oral sex. Some sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV and hepatitis) are also transmitted through blood, such as the re-use of syringe tips. More sexual partners also increase the risk of infection. The safest thing to do to avoid infection is to use a condom during intercourse.

"Why is it so important to use a condom?" with Iselin Guttormsen

Iselin Guttormsen talks freely and openly about women's health and sexuality through her own channels, and works to change attitudes towards the female body. In collaboration with Iselin Guttormsen, we want to get more people to use condoms when having sex with a new partner and test themselves between sex partners.

Daniel Sørli, medical director at Dr.Dropin, has visited Iselin Guttormsen and discussed the topic. See the full video from the visit in the link below.

When should I contact a GP?

If you notice changes from the abdomen with symptoms as described above, it is important to see a doctor for an examination. Some sexually transmitted diseases can lead to infertility (infertility) if you go with symptoms untreated for a long time. Some of the infections can also lead to serious illness with infection in the kidneys and blood poisoning.

It often takes time before symptoms of a venereal disease occur, and it can therefore be a good idea to check if you have had unprotected intercourse with a new partner and are anxious about whether you may be infected. This way, you can detect a possible infection early and treatment, as well as reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.

Assessment and tests

The doctor you meet will ask you a lot of questions, some of which may seem a little intrusive in your private life. But it is so important that the doctor gets an answer about when you became infected, how many partners you have had and whether these have had any symptoms, whether you belong to a risk group or have been sexually active with a person from the risk group. By risk group is meant foreigners from countries with a high incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, men who have sex with men, drug addicts or prostitutes. It is also important for the doctor to know if you have received any treatment for the ailments already and if you have any allergies to medications. Answers to these questions can help to make the right diagnosis, provide the right and good treatment, as well as track down if there are any others who may be at risk of being infected.

What tests your doctor will take depends on what symptoms you have

If a bacterial infection is suspected, a urine sample is usually taken from men and possibly a sample from the urethra with a cotton swab. In women, a sample is taken from the vagina with a cotton swab. Some clinics have "self-tests" that the woman can take herself, in other places the doctor does an examination of the abdomen.

If a viral infection is suspected, it is not always so easy to detect, but if you have sores, blisters or warts, these can be sampled with a cotton swab. It is also possible to take a blood sample, but this will not always show the virus even if you have it.

It is also important not to take the tests too early, as this can lead to not catching the infection and getting a false negative answer. How long after the possible time of infection you should be tested varies from the different diseases, but in general it is at the earliest after 2 weeks for bacterial infection, 12 weeks for HIV, and at the time you have sores or blisters with herpes.

Treatment of sexually transmitted diseases

There is good treatment for most sexually transmitted diseases, both against viruses, bacteria, scabies and lice. It is important that the doctor gets a sample, so you can adjust the treatment according to the answer to this. As a rule, a short-term cure, up to 7 days, is enough. In the meantime, one is advised to abstain from intercourse. For scabies and lice, unfortunately, several rounds of treatment are often necessary, and it can take a long time before the symptoms are completely gone. If you have been diagnosed with a venereal disease, your partner or those you may have infected / been infected with must be informed of this so that they can also receive treatment.

How can Dr. Dropin help you

The doctors at Dr. Dropin have good experience with sexually transmitted diseases, and receive patients with this on a daily basis. At Dr. Dropin, it is a discreet and safe environment, as you book an appointment online and there is only a maximum of one person in the waiting room. Your doctor will give you answers to your tests, whether there are signs of infection or not.

Book an appointment

Frequently asked questions

Are STDs dangerous?

It can be dangerous to go with it untreated for a long time, as the infection can spread in the abdomen, up to the kidneys and further into the bloodstream and cause a serious infection. It can also lead to infertility in both men and women.

Why is a fungal infection not a sexually transmitted disease?

Fungal infection is not considered a sexually transmitted disease as it is not sexually transmitted. STDs are infections that are transmitted through sexual contact.

Should I get tested for STDs often?

If you have new or more sexual partners and have had unprotected intercourse, it is a good idea to get tested afterwards to avoid having an untreated infection and spread this further.

I have been diagnosed with a venereal disease, should I tell my partner?

Absolutely! One is obliged to inform those who may be infected about the disease, so that they can also be tested and treated.

I have just been treated for an STD, but I'm not better. What do I do?

In some cases, it may take some time for the symptoms to subside, as the mucous membranes are irritated. But if you still have discharge, blood, pain etc, contact a doctor again so you can check the answer to the tests and assure you have received the right treatment. In some cases, a control sample is needed 2 weeks after the first treatment.

Forfatter: Lege Martine Hallin Henriksen
Sist oppdatert: 12.07.2022

Kilder

Andersen K.E., Lomholt, H.B., Thestrup-Pedersen K., Wulf, H.C., (2018), Seksuelt overførbare sykdommer (venera), i Klinisk dermatologi og venerologi, Oslo: Gyldendal Norsk Forlag, side 197-200.
eMetodebok, (2020), Infeksjoner, (online), tilgjengelig fra: https://emetodebok.no/kapittel/lnfeksjoner/ (hentet den 27.05.2020)
Norsk elektronisk legehåndbok, (2020), Bekkeninfeksjon, akutt, (online) tilgjengelig fra: https://legehandboka.no/handboken/kliniske-kapitler/gynekologi/tilstander-og-sykdommer/infeksjoner/bekkeninfeksjon-akutt/ (hentet den 27.05.2020)
Store medisinske leksikon, (2019), Kjønnssykdommer, (online) tilgjengelig fra: https://sml.snl.no/kj%C3%B8nnssykdommer