Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Genital Warts: Symptoms, Testing, and Treatment
Learn about STD symptoms, testing, and treatment options, including genital warts, from Dr. Layyous's gynaecology clinic.
In short: Sexually transmitted infections may be bacterial, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis; viral, such as herpes, human papillomavirus and HIV; or parasitic. Symptoms include abnormal discharge, pain on passing urine, ulcers, itching and pelvic pain. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics; genital warts (caused by HPV types 6 and 11) are treated with creams, freezing or laser. Prevention is by condoms and vaccination.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections passed from one person to another through sexual contact. Understanding how they spread, what symptoms to watch for, and how they are diagnosed and treated can help you protect your health and seek care early.
Sexual contact can be:
- vaginal
- oral
- anal
Some STIs (sexually transmitted infections) are transmitted through:
- skin contact
- blood
- vertical transmission from mother to baby
What causes STDs?
- bacteria (chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis)
- viruses (HIV, herpes, HPV, hepatitis)
- parasites (trichomoniasis, lice and scabies)
Symptoms of STDs
- abnormal discharge
- discomfort during urination
- visible lesions (like blisters or warts)
- itching
- rash
- pelvic pain
- fever
Many STIs, especially chlamydia and gonorrhea in women, cause no symptoms at all, so a person can feel completely well and still have an infection and pass it on. That is why testing is advised after unprotected sex with a new partner, even without symptoms.
Diagnosis
- History
- physical exam which reveals:
- Fever, tachycardia
- Lower abdominal tenderness
- Sometimes rash
- Abnormal discharge
- Adnexal mass or tenderness on bimanual examination
- Skin lesions
Laboratory tests
- Elevated WBCs, CRP
- Urine analysis and culture
- Blood tests for antibodies, antigens or viral loads
- Swabs taken from the vagina or cervix (a vaginal swab can often be self-collected) or a urine sample, tested by PCR (nucleic acid amplification tests), which is the most accurate method for chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis
Treatment of STDs
- bacterial: antibiotics
- viral: medications control most viral infections - HIV treatment keeps the virus undetectable so it is not passed on sexually, herpes attacks can be shortened or prevented, hepatitis B can be controlled, and hepatitis C can now be cured with tablets
- parasitic: medication specific for the parasite
It is important to seek treatment early in order to help prevent permanent organ damage or infertility
Sexual partners should also be tested and treated at the same time, and intercourse should be avoided until both have completed treatment, to prevent passing the infection back and forth..
Prevention of STDs
- avoid multiple sexual partners
- get vaccinated (HPV and hepatitis)
- use condoms
Genital warts
Genital warts are caused by human papilloma virus (types 6 and 11).
There is no medicine that kills the virus itself, but in most people the immune system clears HPV within one to two years; treatment focuses on removing visible lesions and relieving symptoms, and about a third of warts disappear on their own.
In some people the virus can remain inactive for a time, and warts may come back, especially when immunity is lowered.
How to treat warts
- externally applied creams and ointments (antimitotic and immunomodulators)
- liquid nitrogen
- electrocautery
- laser
- surgical excision
The HPV types that cause genital warts (6 and 11) do not cause cervical cancer, but a woman may carry other, high-risk HPV types at the same time, so she should keep up with regular cervical screening (preferably an HPV test) as recommended for her age. The HPV vaccine protects against both warts and cervical cancer.
More about this routine test can be found in our article on Pap smear screening and HPV.
If you have questions about STD symptoms, testing, or treatment, Dr. Najeeb Layyous and his clinical team are available to provide personalized gynaecological care and guidance.
Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G
Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist
We’re grateful for dealing with such a physician — he’s very caring and deals with each case separately. We would’ve loved to spend more time with him, however he was never in a hurry during our given time.