You know the scary stuff to look for: Rashes and bumps down there, pain while peeing, and open sores. But some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) don’t even cause symptoms, and an infection can surface differently in person to person, says Fred Wyand, director of communications for the American Social Health Association (ASHA). Sometimes the symptoms are so mild that they’re easily overlooked or attributed to another condition, like the flu or a simple rash, Wyand adds.
Even worse: “STDs can be—and most often are—transmitted by someone who hasn’t been diagnosed and doesn’t have obvious signs of an infection,” Wyand says. This may be why a 2013 study reported that more than 110 million men and women in the United States have an STD—about eight times as many people alive who have had cancer
Discover the three STDs that may already be lurking in your system—even if you don’t have any symptoms.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
“The most common STD is human papillomavirus, which most sexually active individuals are estimated to have at some point in their lives,” says Wyand. “The vast majority of cases in men and women are never diagnosed, and occur without any noticeable signs.” The good news: HPV will likely clear naturally, Wyand says. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 90 percent of HPV cases are cleared by the immune system within 2 years. However, the virus—which can be passed through genital contact, including oral sex—can cause serious health concerns, including cancer of the penis, anus, or even back of the throat. In women, it’s the biggest risk factor for cervical cancer, so you should still get tested to prevent passing it to her. There are over 40 types of HPV that get transmitted through sex, and as of yet, no treatment exists for any strain.
Genital Herpes
One in six people have genital herpes, making it the second most common STD in America, according to the CDC. There are two strains of the virus: Genital and oral, the latter of which causes cold sores but isn’t considered an STD. Genital herpes is not only common but also typically flies under the radar: Experts believe 80 percent or more of herpes cases aren’t recognized, Wyand says. When the virus does manifest, it usually appears as blisters around your genitals or rectum, but can also spread to the mouth during oral sex. Most symptoms are mild, or can be chalked up to something else, like jock itch or ingrown hairs, Wyand adds. The virus is usually transmitted through coming in contact with the fluids found in a herpes sore, but an infected person can spread it from skin-to-skin contact even when they don’t have any visible blisters.
Trichomoniasis
The third most common STD in America, trichomoniasis—sometimes called “trich”—is a parasite most commonly passed from a man to a woman. But about 70 percent of people infected with trich don’t have any symptoms, according to the CDC. Signs for men usually come in the form of itching or irritation inside the penis, burning after peeing or ejaculating, or a strange discharge. Without treatment, the infection can last for months or years and, while most people don’t see proof of the parasite, trich can increase your risk of getting or spreading other STDs. Fortunately, trich is considered the most curable common STD since it can be treated with a single dose of antibiotics—but you probably won’t know to treat it unless you get tested in the first place.
AVOID SPREADING A DISEASE
Latex condoms greatly reduce the risk of catching or spreading an STD, but not completely. Since you can have an STD without knowing, and you can spread it whether or not you have symptoms, getting tested is incredibly important. It’s the only way to know definitively if you’re infected and if it can be treated. “Even people with only one partner are at risk for STDs,” says Wyand. “Everyone should have sexual health conversations with their physician regardless of the number of partners they’ve had.”
At your annual visit, if your doctor doesn’t bring up STDs, raise the topic yourself, Wyand suggests. Ask specifically about testing. Your doctor should take down your sexual history and risk factors, then determine which tests are appropriate to run. If you don’t see a physician regularly—like half of adults, according to the CDC—find an STD clinic and schedule the basic tests.
(MENS HEALTH)
