Unfortunately, many cases of prevalent STDs in men get mistaken for other conditions. This is why it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms of common STDs men face.
Below are 4 of the common STDs you should know about.
Herpes
As per the World Health Organization, 67% of the world population under 50 is affected by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two kinds of HSV namely, HSV-1 (oral herpes) and HSV-2 (genital herpes).
The means of transmission include direct contact with an infected person’s genitals (e.g. during oral sex) or mouth (e.g. while kissing).
HSV symptoms don’t always appear in men and women. However, a common symptom is the formation of blisters from 2 days to 2 weeks post-infection. Some men experience tingling, burning, and itching on the penis or testicles, anus, and buttocks.
Gonorrhea
This is a bacterial infection which can negatively affect the throat, urethra, and anus. The modes of transmission include vaginal, anal, and/or oral sex with an infected person. Typically, men with gonorrhea don’t display noticeable symptoms.
Those that do, experience symptoms like pain during urination and colored discharge from the penis. Sometimes, painful joints, swollen testicles, and rashes may also appear.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is also a bacterial STD and is transmitted in the same way as gonorrhea. According to a 2016 CDC report, around one million cases of Chlamydia were reported, making it a highly prevalent STD in the U.S.
Symptoms start appearing after several weeks post infection and commonly include penile discharge and swollen testicles. If the bacteria have reached the rectum, the following symptoms may occur:
- Rectal pain
- Bleeding
- Rectal discharge
The ancient bacterial disease has more serious implications than other types of STDs in men. Syphilis has been linked to HIV as well as the risk of developing Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
There are four main phases of syphilis; the primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary stage. There are certain symptoms characterizing each stage. Those for the primary stage include small, painless sores on the lips, penis, and/or anus as well as swollen nymph nodes these areas.
Alternative Treatments for Herpes
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