Recognizing STD symptoms in men

Anyone, men or women at any age who is having sex is at risk for contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD).  Men however need to be vigilant in knowing the signs and symptoms of an STD.  Oftentimes men with an STD don’t have symptoms or they can easily be mistaken for other conditions.  Add to this fact that men are less likely to ask their doctor for STD testing and often don’t go in for a regular annual physical exam.  This is why it is crucial for any man who is sexually active to recognize signs and symptoms of STDs.  Anytime a man notices any symptoms described below, he needs to see his doctor as soon as possible to be treated early on to reduce the risk of permanent damage. 

·      Chlamydia

This common transmitted STD affects about 2.8 million Americans each year.  Chlamydia is passed person-to-person during vaginal, anal, or oral sex and can also be passed from mother to child during a vaginal delivery.  Anyone having sex can get this STD with the risk increasing with the more sex partners one has.  It is often known as a “silent disease” as about 75 percent of infected women and 50 percent of infected men will have no symptoms.  The infection can occur in the vagina, penis, throat or anus and if left untreated, it can develop into serious reproductive and health problems for men such as epididymitis, a painful condition of the testicles that can lead to infertility if not treated.

Symptoms of chlamydia in men:

·      Pain when urinating

·      A green, white, or yellow discharge from the penis

·      Swollen testicles

·      Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is caused by a highly contagious virus that infects the liver.  One way it can be contracted is by contact with blood or bodily fluids of a person infected with the virus through sexual activity and especially sexual activity with multiple partners. Many people with hepatitis B will not display symptoms and those who do may mistake it for symptoms of a cold or flu.  Even if a person has no symptoms, the virus can continue to damage the liver if left untreated. 

Symptoms of Hepatitis B in men: 

·      Loss of appetite

·      Feeling lethargic

·      Low-grade fever

·      Muscle and joint aches and pain

·      Nausea or vomiting

·      Jaundice (yellow hue to the skin and dark urine)

·      Gonorrhea 

This STD is a bacterial infection affecting the anus, throat or urethra and is transmitted during anal, oral, or vaginal sex with a partner who is infected.  Untreated gonorrhea in men can cause a painful condition in the tubes attached to the testicles.  In rare cases, it may cause a man to be infertile. 

Symptoms of gonorrhea in men: 

·      Burning sensation when urinating

·      A white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis that usually appears 1 to 14 days after infection

·      Painful or swollen testicles

·      A red or swollen urethra

·      A sore throat

·      Swollen or tender testicles

·      Herpes

Herpes is a viral infection and there are two types – Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).  The majority of oral herpes that affect the mouth are caused by HSV-1 and the majority of genital herpes are caused by HSV-2.  However, type-1 or type-2 can occur in either the genital or oral areas.  This infection is transmitted through direct contact with the mouth or genitals of a person who has been infected with the virus through sexual intercourse or oral sex and kissing.   The symptoms can be difficult to recognize as many people won’t have any at all; but those who do often develop blisters that are often mistaken for other skin conditions such as pimples. 

Symptoms of herpes in men: 

·      Tingling, itching or burning of the skin in the area where blisters will appear

·      Blisters on the penis, testicles, on and around the anus, buttocks, or thighs

·      Blisters on the lips, tongue, gums, and other parts of the body

·      Aching muscles in the lower back, buttocks, thighs, or knees

·      Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

One of the most common STDs, HPV will infect approximately 14 million new people every year.  Genital HPV is passed on through genital contact, most often during vaginal and anal sex.  There are about 40 types of HPV that can infect the genital areas of men and women.  Most types of HPV infections have no signs or symptoms.  The virus lives in the skin or mucous membranes and can cause visible genital warts or pre-cancerous changes in the anus or penis. 

Symptoms of HPV in men:

·      Genital warts that appear as soft, moist, pink or flesh-colored swellings.  They can be raised or flat, single or multiple, small or large, and sometimes cauliflower shaped.  They can appear on or around the anus, and on the penis, scrotum, groin, or thigh. 

·      Warts can also appear in the mouth or throat that has been spread through oral sex with an infected partner.