Each year, millions of men and women in the UK diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases. These infections may or may not show symptoms, yet they are dangerous to health. They slowly invade the body causing numerous health issues. If left untreated, it can cause other associated problems as well.
Sometimes, STIs present symptoms that include the following:
- Frequent urination
- Bad smelling and unusual discharge from the penis
- Painful ejaculation
- Painful urination
- Sores, blisters or bumps on the penis
Some common STDs prevalent in men
Chlamydia
- Symptoms: This is symptomised by penile discharge, burning sensation while urinating, and pain in the abdomen.
- Treatment: Doctor-prescribed antibiotics can be used to treat chlamydia. However, in a week, the infection should disappear if the right antibiotics are taken.
- Note that many chlamydia-infected persons are asymptomatic (show no symptoms). Therefore, medical practitioners are of the opinion that many cases of the disease are not reported.
Genital herpes
- Symptoms: This infection has symptoms like ulcers producing scabs, small reddish or fluid-filled bumps, itching and pain.
- Treatment: It has no cure. So, to manage and treat outbreaks, doctors prescribe antiviral medications like acyclovir and valacyclovir.
- Note that in the absence of sores and symptoms, herpes can be passed on.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) and genital warts
- Symptoms: Here, infected persons experience itching and little swelling around the penis in the case of genital warts and warts shaped like a cauliflower.
- Treatment: Topical medication can be used to treat this disease. However, surgery may be needed sometimes where the warts are not cleared with medication.
- Note that men cannot have the HPV test because it’s not available presently.
Gonorrhoea
- Symptoms: Discharge from the penis that is yellow or green in colour, pain in the testicles, and burning sensation during urination are symptoms of this infection.
- Treatment: A dual therapy or a two-regime medication is recommended by the doctor.
- Note that untreated gonorrhoea increases the risk of getting an HIV infection.
HIV
- Symptoms: Rashes, a sore throat, fever and enlarged lymph nodes. Progress in this infection makes symptoms worse.
- Treatment: This infection has no cure. The doctor will prescribe antiviral medications to control symptoms.
- Note that men sleeping with men have an increased chance of getting HIV due to the involvement of anal sex.
Trichomoniasis
- Symptoms: Itching sensation around the penis, difficulty urinating, and penile discharge.
- Treatment: The infection can be cured with a dose of antibiotics.
- Note that re-infection may happen in many persons in the first 3 months post-treatment.
Therefore, it is essential to perform the test at a regular interval. Book an appointment at the private sexual health clinic for the test.
Preventing STDs in men
Regardless of age, sexual beliefs and background, every sexually active man can get STIs. With the right measures, men can prevent STDs.
But abstinence remains the best way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. You must practice safe sex to keep you and your partner safe. The involved risks will lower down following protected sex.
Since anal, oral and vaginal sex can cause STI transmission, you need to be safe during sexual intercourse. For vaginal and anal sex, condoms are good protection. Dental dams protect against disease from oral sex.
Please, bear in mind that you can contract certain STIs from oral sex, contrary to popular opinion. For instance, herpes, syphilis and gonorrhoea transmit easily via oral sex. For men who sleep with other men and other straight sexual relationships, anal sex presents a high risk for certain STDs too.
Testing for STDs
Regular screening for STDs is important, particularly for those having partners who have other sexual partners. Protected sex is good as it lowers risks of STD transmission, but it cannot guarantee full protection. The only way to know your infection is via an std test singapore anonymous screening.
Routine checkups may not involve testing for STDs. Ask your doctor for an STI test. Be specific about the test you need, as the doctor may not perform a complete STD screening.
For exposure to and signs of STDs, kindly inform your sexual healthcare provider. However, if you expect an infection after engaging in unsafe sex you should visit the STI screening centre for undergoing the test. Remember most STI tests need blood or urine samples and you will receive the results within a couple of days.
An HPV test isn’t available for men. However, a Pap smear is essential to do by women to diagnose HPV. There are different strains of HPV. Some don’t have symptoms, others can cause genital warts.
Discuss your sexual history and risk factors with your doctor to get the right STI screening because your must know about your sexual health status. Let your doctor know whether you need a test for preventive screening. If you do have receptive anal sex, don’t hesitate to tell your doctor. However, this type of sex raises your chances of certain STIs that require special testing. An anal Pap smear is necessary if you’re having anal sex. It detects HPV symptoms that may trigger anal cancer.
Complications of STDs in men
If you leave the infections untreated they can lead to minor problems like pelvic pain or eye inflammation in men.
However complications are often malignant and harmful over a long time. Examples of complications that are life-threatening are: heart disease, infertility, arthritis, HPV-related rectal cancer.
Treating STDs in men
The type of infection determines the treatment. If it’s a bacterial infection such as syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia, antibiotics are a good treatment.
For herpes and hepatitis, which are viral infections, antiviral medications will prescribe by the doctor to take them on a daily basis for a certain time period. It prevents an infection outbreak – a treatment called suppressive therapy.
HPV has no cure. The vaccine can help lower the risk of contracting the disease.
The doctor will prescribe pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) pill if you exposed to the infection. This medication fights the virus, its symptoms, and complications should it get to the body. Daily use of the pill and protected sex prevents HIV.
If you are out to get the best from your walk in sexual health clinic in London, visit at Sexualhealthclinic.london for more information and testing.
