STIs are the most common and dangerous infectious diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that everyday, more than 1 million STIs are acquired by people worldwide.
The risk of spreading or contracting an STI is high and remains a threat to public health due to the fact that STIs are mostly transmitted through sexual contact, which is a universal and rampant act. The risk becomes even higher if you have multiple sex partners, sexual intercourse with a person who has multiple sex partners, or sex without condoms.
MAN WITH STIS
Every sexually active man is at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). STIs can have long-term health complications if left untreated. It is important to know the STI symptoms in men, as early treatment can help prevent most of the complications.STIs are the most common and dangerous infectious diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that every day, more than 1 million STIs are acquired by people worldwide.
The risk of spreading or contracting an STI is high and remains a threat to public health due to the fact that STIs are mostly transmitted through sexual contact, which is a universal and rampant act. The risk becomes even higher if you have multiple sex partners, sexual intercourse with a person who has multiple sex partners, or sex without condoms. In this article, we will be looking at the most common STI symptoms in men and how to prevent them.
Table of Contents
What are Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also referred to as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are the infections you get from having any form of sexual activity with an infected person. It can be passed through vaginal sex, oral sex, anal sex, and skin-to-skin contact.STIs can spread from person to person through body fluids such as blood, sperm, vaginal discharge, and even breast milk.
Some STIs are not only transmitted through sex but also through other physical contact with bodily fluids, such as the sharing of needles, kissing, blood transfusions, and from a mother to her unborn baby.STI is a serious health condition that requires medical attention. Undiagnosed and untreated STIs can affect sexual and reproductive health, resulting in infertility and sterility as well as becoming a threat to life.
Sexually Transmitted Infection Symptoms in Men
IMAGE FROM ISTOCK
The symptoms of STIs in men depend on the type of STI a man has. The symptoms can manifest within a few days or weeks, but sometimes they do not appear until months or even years later. It is important to note that some infected men may not be aware that they are infected because they look healthy and do not experience any STI symptoms. However, having no symptoms does not mean the infection is not affecting their health.
The most common symptoms of STIs in men include:
pain around the pelvic region
burning sensation or itching in the penis
colored or foul-smelling discharge from the penis
Lumps around the genitals
pain when urinating or during sex
The urge to urinate more frequently
bumps, blisters, or sores on the penis or genital area
Those who engage in oral sex may have sore throats and blisters in their mouth
Fever, body ache, and swollen glands
Unexplainable tiredness and weight loss
Types of Sexually Transmitted Infections
STIs are grouped into three types: bacterial, viral, and parasitic. According to the WHO, more than 30 different bacteria, viruses, and parasites cause sexually transmitted diseases. Bacterial STIs are STIs caused by bacteria, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, Viral STIs are caused by viruses transmitted during sexual activity, e.g., Human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis A and B, herpes, and HIV. Parasitic STDs are caused by parasites, e.g. Trichomoniasis and scabies.
The complications of STIs can be minor or life-threatening.
Some minor complications include:
inflammation of the eyes
pain in the pelvic region.
Serious and life-threatening complications can result from undiagnosed or untreated STIs. They include:
infertility
heart disease
blindness
arthritis
penile and anal cancer that is related to HPV infection.
Undiagnosed and untreated hepatitis B can result in chronic liver disease or liver cancer.
A weak immune system as a result of this can increase your risk of other infections.
Death
How are Sexually Transmitted Infections in men diagnosed?
A physical examination by a doctor, a blood test, or a culture of the secretions from the penis are the main ways to diagnose most STIs.
Treatment for Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Treatment for STDs depends on whether the cause of the STI is bacterial or viral. Bacterial STIs, like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, or syphilis, can be treated with the use of antibiotics. Viral STDs cannot be cured, but some, such as herpes, can be managed. Herpes can be managed with antiviral medications like valacyclovir and acyclovir.
There is no treatment formally approved for Human papillomavirus (HPV), but it can be prevented with the HPV vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix. Additionally, medication can be applied to treat the genital warts, or they can be removed surgically.
There is currently no known cure for HIV. If you are at risk of contracting HIV, your doctor may prescribe a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) pill for you. The pill can help fight HIV if it enters your body and treat any of its symptoms or complications.If you are already infected with the HIV virus, antiretroviral therapy can reduce the amount of virus, prevent the virus from progressing to AIDS, and reduce the risk of transmission to others.
Can Sexually Transmitted Infections be prevented?
Abstaining from sex is the only sure way to prevent STIs. If you must engage in sexual activity, you can reduce your risk of contracting an STI by
avoiding random sex
not having multiple sex partners and having a single sex partner who is not having sex with anyone else and who doesn’t have an STI.
Use condoms when having sex. Always use condoms even while having oral and anal sex. You can also use a dental dam, also known as a rubber dam or an oral condom when engaging in oral sex.Do not share needles. Do not use unsterilized needles or piercing needles with other people.
Key Point
As a sexually active man, if you notice any of the STI symptoms highlighted above or you suspect you may have contracted any sexually transmitted infections, it is advised that you Talk to a Certified Doctor immediately.
Be honest when describing your sexual life and symptoms to your doctor. This will help the doctor properly diagnose the problem and prescribe the right treatment. Early detection and treatment of STIs can help prevent serious health issues.
It is also important that you practice healthy sexual life and take preventive measures to protect yourself and reduce the risk of contracting STIs.
Note:
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) if left untreated can lead to serious complications on your health such as infertility, liver damage, PID, cancer and even more infections. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Get the right diagnosis and treatment from expert doctors on KompleteCare without visiting the hospital. Discuss your symptoms via audio or video consultation, and receive the right prescription from the comfort of your home or office.
Save time and money
