Genital tract (reproductive organ) infections caused by microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, and parasites) that are usually transmitted from person to person through sexual intercourse are called sexually transmitted diseases. In short, we can also call them STDs. STDs include diseases such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, genital warts, genital herpes, HIV (AIDS), hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
They are not transmitted only through sex. The World Health Organization (WHO) points out that these infections rank second among causes of death worldwide.
STDs are transmitted through vaginal and anal sex, as well as through oral sex. Some infections can also be transmitted from public toilets. When looking at the genitals from the outside, some can be recognized and some cannot. Condoms are largely effective in protecting against these infections. However, they are not 100% effective.
After STDs are treated, if unprotected sex occurs, they can be transmitted again to the same person. In other words, there is a risk of reinfection from an untreated partner. For this reason, the spouse or partner should also be tested and should participate in the treatment process.
Let’s get to know some of these infections now.
Gonorrhea
With its medical name, “gonorrhea” is a bacterial infection. It appears 2–21 days after sexual intercourse. Transmission from men to women is easier. It can be asymptomatic in both men and women; however, it may also cause symptoms such as, in women, dark yellow or white vaginal discharge, groin pain, painful menstrual bleeding, pain during urination and during intercourse, and in men, dark yellow or white discharge from the penis, burning and pain during urination or defecation. Its diagnosis and treatment are easy. However, if left untreated, it can cause permanent damage in women due to infections in the reproductive organs (uterus, ovaries, and tubes) (these infections are called pelvic infections).
Permanent damage is one of the causes of infertility. In addition, the partial damage it creates in the tubes significantly increases the likelihood that a resulting pregnancy will be an ectopic pregnancy.
Sometimes it can spread into the abdomen and even to the joints, causing much more severe infections. Condom use has a place in prevention. Both spouses or partners must be treated.
Chlamydia
In infections of the female reproductive organs (uterus, ovaries, and tubes), in addition to the bacteria that causes gonorrhea, a bacterium called chlamydia is also often found. It appears 7–21 days after sexual intercourse. It may cause no symptoms; however, in women it can cause vaginal discharge, pain during urination and intercourse, groin pain, fever, nausea, and intermenstrual bleeding outside of menstruation. In men, it is seen as white discharge from the penis and pain or burning during urination.
Its treatment is easy. If not treated, it can cause permanent damage to the reproductive organs in women and related infertility. Blocked fallopian tubes in women are one of the most important causes of infertility.
Genital Warts (Condyloma)
It is an infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are many types. It causes symptoms more often in women than in men. It may cause warts, itching, and burning in the genitals or around the anus. The size of the warts varies. Their surfaces are bumpy and they often look like cauliflower. It appears 1–8 months after sexual intercourse. HPV is a highly contagious virus. It is possible to be infected even without sexual intercourse, through frictional contact with the lesion area, and even from public toilets. It can also be transmitted from mother to baby during normal delivery.
In its treatment, all visible warts must be completely eliminated. Removing the warts reduces the risk of recurrence and the risk of transmission. However, it is not effective in completely removing the virus that has entered the body.
Some HPV types have the ability to cause cervical cancer in women and penile cancer in men. In other words, taking certain types into the body increases these risks (cervical cancer, penile cancer). Therefore, annual Pap-smear screenings in women and urological examinations in men are very important.
Syphilis
The disease is transmitted through sexual intercourse with a person who has syphilis or from a pregnant mother to the baby. It progresses in stages. It shows itself with a painless genital ulcer with smooth edges 3 weeks to 3 months after the first intercourse. If left untreated, this ulcer disappears on its own in 6–8 weeks.
After a while, there are non-itchy skin rashes on the body. If it is still not treated during this period, it can remain in the body silently for a long time, then spread to the heart, large vessels, and the brain, reaching a final stage that can lead to death. When not delayed, its treatment is easy and very effective.
If a pregnant woman contracts the disease in the early weeks, there is a risk that the infection will be transmitted to the baby and that the baby will be born with very serious congenital abnormalities.
Hepatitis B
This disease is a viral illness that can be transmitted sexually, through close household contact, and through blood. Symptoms appear between 6 weeks and 6 months after the virus enters the body. It manifests as extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal tenderness, pale-colored stool, tea-colored urine, and yellowing of the skin and eyes. It can also be transmitted from an infected pregnant mother to the baby. There is a vaccine. It usually resolves on its own within 4–8 weeks. Some of those who have the infection cannot clear it from the body and become carriers.
Genital Herpes
It is an infection caused by Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2. (Type 1 is the type that causes cold sores on the lips). It appears as multiple blisters in the genital area 2–30 days after sexual intercourse. The blisters go away and may reappear later.
Once the virus settles in the body, it causes recurrent infections at certain periods. While the first infection is quite painful and itchy, the second and subsequent infections are milder. If the infection is contracted in the early stages of pregnancy, it can cause abnormalities in babies.
If herpes lesions appear in the genital area near the time of birth in a pregnant woman, she needs to deliver by cesarean section, because the lesions can reach the baby through the birth canal and cause life-threatening conditions for the baby.
Aids
It is an infection caused by a virus called HIV . It is transmitted through sexual intercourse, transfusion of blood carrying the virus, contact with the body fluids of a person carrying the virus, the use of or injury by infected syringes or instruments, and from a pregnant mother to the baby. By weakening or disabling the immune system, it leads to the emergence of certain opportunistic infections (fungal infections, persistent herpes, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasma, tuberculosis, etc.) and certain types of cancers (pneumocystis carinii). The disease manifests with one or more of the following symptoms: unexplained extreme fatigue and fever, weight loss, excessive sweating, widespread swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, throat, and armpits, persistent diarrhea, prolonged dry cough, and shortness of breath.
Approximately 4 weeks after the first contact, antibodies formed against the HIV virus become positive in the blood. However, the most commonly used ELISA method can detect these antibodies after 3 months. In some advanced laboratories, early diagnosis can be made by recognizing the virus that entered the body 24 hours to 1 week after the first contact.
In its treatment, there are medications that partially stop the spread of the virus and increase the life expectancy and quality of life of AIDS patients. However, a complete cure of the disease is not possible.
The key to a healthy and happy sexual life is making the right decisions, being monogamous, and protecting oneself and one’s partner.
