Take Charge of Your Sexual Health
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)
Many people think they would know if they had a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The truth is many STIs have no signs or symptoms in the majority of people infected. Or they have mild signs that can be easily overlooked. The only way to know if you have an STI is to get tested.1
1 in 5
People in the US have an STI2
68M
infections in 20182
26M
new STIs in 20182
Ages 15-24
Almost half of net STIs are from young adults2
Understanding STIs
Sexually transmitted infections pass from one person to another through vaginal, oral, and anal sex. They also can spread through intimate physical contact like heavy petting, though this is not very common.3 If you have sex, know how to protect yourself and your sex partner(s) from STIs.
Here are the most common STIs, as well as how to identify them.
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a common STD that can infect both men and women.1 And most people who have it don’t know they have it because it often has no symptoms.
It can cause serious, permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system. This can make it difficult or impossible for her to get pregnant later on. Chlamydia can also cause a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb).
What is gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can infect both men and women. It can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, and throat. It is a very common infection, especially among young people ages 15-24 years.
What is genital herpes?
Most people with genital herpes have no symptoms or have very mild symptoms. Mild symptoms may go unnoticed or be mistaken for other skin conditions like a pimple or ingrown hair. Because of this, most people do not know they have a herpes infection.
What is human papillomavirus?
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus passed from one person to another during sex. It’s so common, in fact, that most sexually active people—more than 80%—will contract HPV at some point in their lives. Fortunately, most cases of HPV clear up on their own in about two years. But when it doesn’t go away on its own, it can cause a host of problems, including cervical, vaginal, anal and other cancers.
What is syphilis?
Syphilis is divided into four stages: primary, secondary, latent and tertiary. Different signs and symptoms are associated with each stage. These symptoms can range from painless sores and skin rash to swollen lymph nodes, fever and more severe medical problems that involve the heart, brain and other organs.
What is trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis is the most common curable STD. In the United States, the CDC estimates that there were more than two million trichomoniasis infections in 2018. However, only about 30% develop any symptoms of trichomoniasis. Infection is more common in women than in men. Older women are more likely than younger women to have been infected with trichomoniasis.
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a common STD that can infect both men and women.1 And most people who have it don’t know they have it because it often has no symptoms.
It can cause serious, permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system. This can make it difficult or impossible for her to get pregnant later on. Chlamydia can also cause a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb).
What is gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can infect both men and women. It can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, and throat. It is a very common infection, especially among young people ages 15-24 years.
What is genital herpes?
Most people with genital herpes have no symptoms or have very mild symptoms. Mild symptoms may go unnoticed or be mistaken for other skin conditions like a pimple or ingrown hair. Because of this, most people do not know they have a herpes infection.
What is human papillomavirus?
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus passed from one person to another during sex. It’s so common, in fact, that most sexually active people—more than 80%—will contract HPV at some point in their lives. Fortunately, most cases of HPV clear up on their own in about two years. But when it doesn’t go away on its own, it can cause a host of problems, including cervical, vaginal, anal and other cancers.
What is syphilis?
Syphilis is divided into four stages: primary, secondary, latent and tertiary. Different signs and symptoms are associated with each stage. These symptoms can range from painless sores and skin rash to swollen lymph nodes, fever and more severe medical problems that involve the heart, brain and other organs.
What is trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis is the most common curable STD. In the United States, the CDC estimates that there were more than two million trichomoniasis infections in 2018. However, only about 30% develop any symptoms of trichomoniasis. Infection is more common in women than in men. Older women are more likely than younger women to have been infected with trichomoniasis.
Supporting your sexual health through education and testing
We want you to take charge of your health by staying informed and having open conversations with your healthcare provider. When you see your doctor, they will ask you questions about your health, and it is important to be honest and forthcoming.
Remember: You should ask questions, too. Together, you and your doctor will make decisions about your healthcare and any treatment you may need.1
Additional Resources
References
1. American Sexual Health Association (ASHA). STI Testing. https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/get-tested/. Accessed April 15, 2022
2. Sexually Transmitted Infections Prevalence, Incidence, and Cost Estimates in the United States. https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/prevalence-incidence-cost-2020.htm. Accessed April 15, 2022
3. STDs Diseases & Related Conditions. https://www.cdc.gov/std/general/default.htm. Accessed April 15, 2022.