5 STDs and How to Prevent Them

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) come in many forms, some more easily transmissible than others.

Board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Hany H Ahmed offers education about and testing for STDs at his office in Houston, Texas. If you’re concerned you might be at risk of getting or transmitting an STD, come into the office and be tested.

5 of the most common STDs

STDs come in many forms, some common and some not. Five common types you should think about include:

1. Human papillomavirus (HPV)

The most common sexually transmitted infection in the US, HPV is so common that just about every sexually active person picks it up at some point. More than 40 types of HPV can spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. HPV can also be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact.

In the US, a single HPV vaccine controls the development of the virus. The CDC recommends women and men ages 11-26 get vaccinated for HPV, often before they become sexually active.

HPV can cause cervical cancer, but a routine Pap smear, part of a well-woman exam, can detect a lesion early on, leading to more effective treatment.

2. Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea has been around for a long time. There’s evidence it plagued the Roman army as far back as 100 BCE.

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that thrives in warm, moist areas, including the urethra, eyes, throat, vagina, anus, and the female genitalia and reproductive tract. Common symptoms include genital discharge and a burning feeling during urination.

Untreated women may develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to infertility and death without medical intervention.

Gonorrhea can be treated with a course of antibiotics.

3. Chlamydia

This STD can produce no signs or symptoms or those like gonorrhea. Chlamydia can also cause PID and subsequent infertility in women, ectopic pregnancy, and/or chronic pelvic pain. 

It’s the most commonly reported STD in the US, though only about 25% of women and 50% of men develop symptoms. According to guidelines from the US Preventive Services Task Force, all sexually active women 24 and younger should be screened for it.

Chlamydia is also treated with antibiotics. After treatment, you should get retested in 1-3 months, even if your partner has been treated. 

4. Herpes

Herpes is one of the most contagious STDs. A 2022 study estimated that suppressive therapy costs between $240 and $2,580 per year.

Both strains of the virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2, can cause genital herpes, but usually it’s more often the latter. The main symptom is painful blisters around the penis, vagina, or anus, though you can get blisters inside your vagina or anus where you can't see or feel them.

Herpes in a pregnant woman can affect the development of the fetus, especially in the first trimester.

Herpes spreads easily through skin-to-skin contact, including areas that a condom doesn't cover. You're most contagious when you have blisters but can transmit the virus regardless.

Herpes isn’t curable, but you can take medication to manage it.

5. Syphilis

Syphilis is a four-stage bacterial infection. A syphilis sore, called a chancre, located on the penis, vagina, anus, or mouth, may be the first sign of infection. However, sometimes these sores go unnoticed because they’re painless, and the symptoms disappear.

The infection, though, continues to develop. Left untreated, by the fourth stage, it can damage the heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, joints, and skin. It can also cause neurodegenerative problems.

As a bacterial infection, syphilis is treated with antibiotics. The earlier treatment starts, the fewer antibiotics you need, and the quicker they work.

Preventing STDs

While most of the attention around STDs focuses on diagnosis and treatment, prevention is the key to solving much of the burden of disease.

Have an open discussion with your partner(s) about your risk factors; the more you know, the more easily you can develop a strategy that works.

Get tested. Consider annual STD screenings (or whenever the doctor indicates you should receive them) as part of life. If you have an STD, abstain from sex during treatment until the doctor says you’re clear.

Practice safe sex. No contraceptive or appliance is 100% effective in preventing STDs. A condom can seriously cut down your risks, and other contraceptive forms (like copper IUDs) together with a condom can lower them even more.

If you have any questions, call Dr. Ahmed to schedule an appointment, or book online today.