Sexually transmitted infections can cause a myriad of symptoms and complications. In many serious infections, the symptoms do not present until a lot of damage has occurred. Only a healthcare provider like Best Sexologist in Lahore can confirm the presence of an STI with proper investigations. Read on to know more about the complications caused by sexually transmitted infections:
Discharge
Vaginal and penile discharge occurs due to certain sexually transmitted infections, including: bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, chlamydia and gonorrhea. This discharge is usually purulent and copious in amount, signaling an STI.
Itching
Many STIs cause itching around the pubic and anal region. The causative microorganisms include: herpes, mycoplasma genitalium, chlamydia and bacterial vaginosis. Now we have best probiotics for BV available in the market that are highly beneficial in dealing with vaginal infections.
Odor
The discharge released as a result of infection is often odorous. In fact, even changing vaginal odor is a sign of infection. Certain infections like trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis are particularly notorious for causing discharge with unpleasant odor.
Painful urination
If an STI involves the urethra, it can result in concurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) and cause painful urination. In case of bladder involvement—cystitis—there is high grade fever and abdominal pain.
Painful intercourse
An STI can result in painful intercourse or even postcoital bleeding.
Rashes
Rashes are an uncommon complication of sexually transmitted infection, but can occur with certain microorganisms like HIV and syphilis.
Ulcers and rashes
Rashes and ulcers occur in the primary stage of syphilis as well as herpes, molluscum and lymphogranuloma venereum. Some of these ulcers are painful, while others present painlessly. Without treatment, they can cause worsening infection and recurrence of ulcers.
Ascending infection
Sexually transmitted infection can travel from the external genitalia to the internal genitalia through the reproductive tract. In case of women, infection ascends through the vagina to the cervix and the fallopian tubes, increasing the risk of tubo-ovarian abscesses and inflammation of the fallopian tubes.
Infertility
Ascending infections and involvement of the fallopian tubes can result in scarring that can put one at risk of infertility. With fallopian tube scarring it is difficult for the ovulated egg to reach the uterus and get fertilized by a sperm.
Cervical cancer
Infection of the cervix by human papilloma virus (HPV) can predispose one to the risk of cervical cancer. Certain strains of human papilloma virus, like 16 and 18 are notorious for causing cervical cancer especially when multiple sexual partners are involved.
Damage to the nervous system
Syphilis, if not treated, can turn into tertiary syphilis that infects the nerves and causes serious damage to the nervous system. In fact, the heart, eyes and brain, all are affected by secondary and tertiary syphilis, which develop due to undertreatment of the disease and remain dormant in the body.
Infections of the newborns
Newborn babies are susceptible to infection during birth when they pass through the birth canal. This is especially common when the mother is infected with sexually transmitted infections: gonorrhea and chlamydia. In fact, chlamydia-induced eye infection is the leading cause of blindness in the world. In certain other infections, there is risk of transmission from the mother to the baby.
Sepsis
In severe illness, the infection can spread through the bloodstream from the focus of bacteria to the other parts of the body, a condition called sepsis. Sepsis can life-threatening without proper treatment.
Liver damage
Hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted infection that damages the liver in the chronic stage and can even turn into hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis B also runs the risk of being transmitted vertically from the mother to the fetus.
In case of symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) it is important to get tested and checked by Best Sexologist in Karachi along with the partner.