Knowing whether you have an STI
STIs often have no clear symptoms. You cannot always see whether you have an STISTISTI means sexually transmitted infection: an infection that is usually only transmitted by…Read more. Get yourself tested by your general practitioner or _W_municipal public healthHealthFeeling physically, mentally and socially well in your environment. Health is more than…Read more service_W_ (GGD) if you want to know for sure if you have an STI.
Man talking with a health professional.
Symptoms
If you have one of the following symptoms you might have an STI:
- dischargeDischargeFluid leaving the body, for example: from the vagina, penis, anus. Sometimes you…Read more from the urethraUrethraTube inside the body. The tube carries urine from the bladder to the…Read more, vaginaVaginaPart of the inner sexual organs of a woman. The vagina connects the…Read more or anusAnusOpening between the buttocks where faeces leave the body.Read more (yellow, greenish, brownish, smelly or bloody). It is usually normal to have discharge from the vagina (vaginal dischargeVaginal dischargeColourless or white fluid from the vagina. This is normal. The fluid prevents…Read more). If the discharge smells strongly or changes colour, it may be a symptomSymptomA sign which shows that you have a disease or an infection, for…Read more of an STI;
- changes to your skin: blisters, warts, sores or discharge on/in/around the penisPenisMale sexual organ. The penis is used for sex (ejaculation) or to urinate.Read more, vagina, anus or mouth/throat;
- pain and/or a burning feeling when you go to the toilet;
- itchingItchingFeeling of being tickled on the skin. It makes you want to scratch.Read more of the penis, vagina, anus or pubic hairPubic hairHair on and around the sexual organs. The length, colour, quantity and thickness…Read more;
- bleeding or abdominal pain when having sexual intercourse (penetrationPenetrationPutting a part of your body (penis, finger, etc.) or an object into…Read more);
- pain in one or both of the testicles (man);
- bloodBloodRed fluid that has important functions in the body, for example: carrying oxygen…Read more in your faecesFaecesThe solid waste material which people expel from their bodies through the anus…Read more.
Vaginal infections
Some symptoms in women (discharge, itching vagina, burning feeling while urinating) can be caused by two fungal infections: candidaCandidaInfection in the vagina, caused by a fungus. The acidity balance that protects…Read more or bacterial vaginosisBacterial vaginosisInfection in the vagina caused by bacteria. The acidity balance that protects the vagina…Read more.
They are not transmitted sexually (not STIs). They are called vaginal infections.
Ask your general practitioner for advice.
STI treatmentTreatmentCare and/or follow-up by a professionally trained person. Treatment can be given with…Read more
The symptoms of an STI can disappear while you still have the STI. You still need to be treated. Most STIs can be cured or their symptoms can be treated.
A consequence of not treating an STI can be that you have difficulty getting pregnant (infertilityInfertilityNot being able to have children.Read more).
STIs can also have other serious consequences for your health if they are not treated. Ask your general practitioner or municipal public health service (GGD) for advice.