A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is a disease that comes from bacteria, viruses or parasites. These infections are transmitted during unprotected sex with an infected partner.

STIs can cause long-term health problems, including cancer and infertility. They can also be dangerous to the health of a woman’s baby, particularly during pregnancy.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It affects both males and females.

The bacteria that cause gonorrhea can spread during vaginal intercourse, anal sex and oral sex. It can also be spread when people share sex toys that haven’t been cleaned or protected with a condom.

In women, gonorrhea can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This can lead to ectopic pregnancy and damage the fallopian tubes enough that she can’t get pregnant.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis (also called trich) is caused by a parasite that can pass between people during sexual contact. It’s a common, non-viral STI.

The parasite, which is a single-celled protozoan, can travel through sexual fluids, such as semen, pre-cum, and vaginal fluids that get on or inside the genitals during sex intercourse. It can also spread through vulva-to-vulva contact or sharing sex toys, such as condoms and lubricants.

Trichomoniasis can be diagnosed by a physical exam and laboratory tests. If you’re a woman, it’s important to be tested for trichomoniasis as part of an STD screening test. This can be done at a doctor’s office or at home with our dedicated trichomoniasis testing kit.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It most often spreads through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex.

If it goes untreated, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can damage your fallopian tubes and uterus. It also can make it harder to get pregnant.

Getting treated right away can help clear up the infection with no long-term problems, so a doctor will do a test to check for chlamydia. The tests include a swab from your urethra in men and a sample from your cervix in women.

Because chlamydia is so common, people are advised to get tested regularly for it. If you have a positive test, tell all your recent sex partners so they can see a healthcare provider and be treated.

Genital warts

Genital warts, also called condylomata acuminata, are common skin infections caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV virus can be spread by contact with other people or by sexual intercourse.

Symptoms typically develop within weeks or months of the infection. They can appear anywhere in the genital area, including the vagina, cervix and anus.

The main way to avoid genital warts is to use a condom for all vaginal, anal or oral intercourse. Condoms do not protect against all strains of HPV but are the best known prevention method.

Doctors may treat genital warts with medications or liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery). Larger warts may need laser surgery. Usually, the warts disappear on their own over time. However, some HPV-infected individuals develop precancerous cervical cells that can progress to cancer if left untreated.

Herpes

Herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can lead to complications if left untreated. It can cause pain, itching, and fever. It can also increase the risk of HIV acquisition and hepatitis B.

The herpes simplex virus, or HSV, can infect the mouth, genital area and other parts of the body. The most common type, HSV-1, causes sores called cold sores or fever blisters.

People with herpes usually have an outbreak of small fluid-filled blisters that break and turn into painful sores that may take a week or more to heal. Flu-like symptoms (fever, body aches, swollen glands) and itching can also occur during the outbreak.