What Causes Sexually Transmitted Diseases?
Sexually transmitted diseases occur from having sexual intercourse with an infected person without protection, whether through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Each disease is caused by different pathogens and has distinct characteristics and symptoms, such as:
Herpes
Herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), which can spread through unprotected sexual contact as well as skin-to-skin contact. Anyone infected with this virus may carry it for life. Patients often have skin abrasions or soft mucous membrane lesions nearby, or clear blisters 1-2 mm in size on the genital area, causing painful urination due to irritation from urine on the sores. Symptoms usually appear when the body is weak or the immune system is compromised.
Genital Warts
Genital warts are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that can cause cervical cancer in women. It can be transmitted through sexual contact in both men and women. Those with strong immunity may show no symptoms, while those with weaker immunity may develop cauliflower-like growths clearly visible on the genitals, vagina, anus, urethra, or groin area. Patients may have lesions in multiple locations.
Syphilis
Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum and can occur in the vagina, anus, and mouth. Without proper treatment, complications from the infection can affect the nervous system, heart, brain, and other body systems, potentially leading to death.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which can easily grow and multiply on mucous membranes of the body. It thrives in warm, moist areas of the reproductive system, including the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and urethra, as well as the mouth, throat, and anus.
- Symptoms in females include abnormal vaginal discharge that is watery or thin, green or yellow in color, or increased in amount, causing painful or burning urination. There may be bleeding between periods and after sexual intercourse, or unusually heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Symptoms in males include yellow or green pus discharge from the tip of the penis, which may occur after sexual intercourse, painful or burning urination, and inflammation of the foreskin.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which is different from gonorrhea. It causes abnormal symptoms and is commonly found in adolescents and working-age adults. Some patients may be asymptomatic but can still spread the infection through unprotected sexual contact.
- Symptoms in females include abnormal vaginal discharge that is mucus-like mixed with pus, with a strong odor. There may be a burning or painful sensation during urination and bleeding even when not menstruating.
- Symptoms in males include mucus-like or cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis that is neither semen nor urine, burning or painful urination, and pain and swelling in the testicles.
HPV Infection or Human Papillomavirus
Human papillomavirus causes various diseases. HPV is divided into 2 groups:
- Oncogenic HPV: There are 14 strains that cause cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer. Strains 16 and 18 cause about 70% of cervical cancers, followed by strains 45, 31, and 33.
- Non-oncogenic HPV: These do not cause cervical cancer but cause genital warts, such as HPV strains 6 and 11. Most cases are asymptomatic because the immune system can eliminate the virus before warts develop. However, patients with warts may show different wart appearances depending on the virus strain.
- Common warts are small bumps that feel rough to the touch, may be flesh-colored, white, pink, or light brown, and usually appear on the hands, fingers, or elbows. They are mostly harmless but can sometimes cause pain, and the skin around the wart may be more prone to injury or bleeding.
- Flat warts are small, smooth, darker than normal skin, and slightly raised. They can appear anywhere on the body, commonly on the face in children, on the legs in women, and on the beard area in men.
- Plantar warts are hard bumps that feel rough, usually appearing on the heels or balls of the feet, causing pain when standing or walking.
- Genital warts or condyloma acuminata are cauliflower-like growths that usually appear on the female and male genitals and anus. They are mostly painless but may cause itching.
If you suspect that you or someone close to you is at risk and has any of the symptoms mentioned, you should promptly visit a hospital for examination, treatment, and close follow-up by a doctor. Many sexually transmitted diseases can be severe or even fatal if left untreated.
