Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsWhen to Seek CareDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
When to Seek Care
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Asexually transmitted disease(STD) is a symptomatic infection that is spread primarily through sexual contact. Females can experience different STD symptoms than males. Knowing the signs that may indicate an infection can help you seek medical care and appropriate treatment.
Read on to learn about the common symptoms of STDs in females, as well as information on treatment and prevention.
A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and gender are related concepts, but they are not the same.Sex refers to biology: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy. People are most often assigned male or female at birth based on their external anatomy; some people do not fit into that sex binary and are intersex.Gender describes a person’s internal sense of self as a woman, man, nonbinary person, or another gender, and the associated social and cultural ideas about roles, behaviors, expressions, and characteristics.Research studies sometimes don’t use the terminology in this way. Terms that describe gender (“woman,” “man”) may be used when terms for sex (“female,” “male”) are more appropriate. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and gender are related concepts, but they are not the same.Sex refers to biology: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy. People are most often assigned male or female at birth based on their external anatomy; some people do not fit into that sex binary and are intersex.Gender describes a person’s internal sense of self as a woman, man, nonbinary person, or another gender, and the associated social and cultural ideas about roles, behaviors, expressions, and characteristics.Research studies sometimes don’t use the terminology in this way. Terms that describe gender (“woman,” “man”) may be used when terms for sex (“female,” “male”) are more appropriate. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and gender are related concepts, but they are not the same.
Research studies sometimes don’t use the terminology in this way. Terms that describe gender (“woman,” “man”) may be used when terms for sex (“female,” “male”) are more appropriate. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
STD Causes
The three types ofpathogens(organisms that cause infection) that are often sexually transmitted are:
A person who is infected with one of these pathogens can transmit it to another person during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. However, some can also be spread through other skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity.
STIs vs. STDsThe term “sexually transmitted infection” (STI) is sometimes used interchangeably with “sexually transmitted disease” (STD). However, the symptoms experienceddifferentiate the terms.If you have no symptoms but do have an infection, you would have an STI. If you have symptoms and any complications due to the infection, it would be called an STD.However, healthcare providers may use either of these terms without any differences in how the conditions are diagnosed and treated.
STIs vs. STDs
The term “sexually transmitted infection” (STI) is sometimes used interchangeably with “sexually transmitted disease” (STD). However, the symptoms experienceddifferentiate the terms.If you have no symptoms but do have an infection, you would have an STI. If you have symptoms and any complications due to the infection, it would be called an STD.However, healthcare providers may use either of these terms without any differences in how the conditions are diagnosed and treated.
The term “sexually transmitted infection” (STI) is sometimes used interchangeably with “sexually transmitted disease” (STD). However, the symptoms experienceddifferentiate the terms.
If you have no symptoms but do have an infection, you would have an STI. If you have symptoms and any complications due to the infection, it would be called an STD.However, healthcare providers may use either of these terms without any differences in how the conditions are diagnosed and treated.
STD Symptoms in Women
Chlamydia
If you do experience symptoms of chlamydia, it may take weeks to notice. These symptoms may include:
How Chlamydia Is Diagnosed
Gonorrhea
Females who do experience symptoms may mistake them for a bladder orurinary tract infection. Symptoms are often mild and may include:
Gonorrhea may cause symptoms in other parts of the body, such as the eyes, throat, anus, and even the joints.
Trichomoniasis
If symptoms are present, women may experience:
How Trichomoniasis Is Diagnosed
HIV
One in four people living with HIV in the United States are women.While it’s possible to experience flu-like symptoms after they first become infected with HIV, many people (including women) have no symptoms.Symptoms may include:
HPV
Most females experience no symptoms with an HPV infection. However, some HPV infections do cause genital warts. These warts often look like small or large bumps in the genital area, which can be flat, grouped together, or have a cauliflower-like appearance.
Genital Herpes
Though many people have no symptoms, the initial outbreak of genital herpes often is the most severe. Symptoms can include:
Fluid-filled blisters at the site of the infection are also common. After the symptoms go away and the blisters heal, the virus remains dormant in the body. When they’re reactivated, additional outbreaks can occur.
Hepatitis
Several viral hepatitis infections can be transmitted through sexual contact but don’t always cause symptoms. Those who do experience symptoms may have:
How Is Hepatitis Transmitted?
Syphilis
Symptoms for anyone who has a syphilis infection will typically come in stages, such as:
How Syphilis Is Treated
Neurosyphilis
A syphilis infection that has gone untreated for years can result in a serious brain or spinal cord infection. People who haveneurosyphilismay experience:
Is It a Yeast Infection, STD, or Something Else?
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Anytime you notice changes in your body, you experience any symptoms commonly associated with STDs, or suspect you may be at risk for an infection, it’s wise to seek out medical attention.
There are differenttypes of teststo determine if you have a specific STD. Routinely testing for all STDs is not recommended.
Talk with your healthcare provider about which test might be right for you. They may ask you about your health, any symptoms you have, and your sexual history to determine what tests to give you.
Depending on which tests they recommend, they may collect a sample of urine, blood, vaginal discharge, take a cheek swab, or a sample from a lesion on your body (if you have any). They may also do a physical exam to look for any characteristic signs and symptoms.
Treatment will also depend on the specific STD. Some infections can be cured with treatment. Others can’t be cured, but they can be managed with help from your healthcare provider.
Some viral infections, including hepatitis, can be cured withantiviral medicine. Others can only be managed so that symptoms and the risk of transmitting the infection to others are reduced, including HIV and genital herpes.
Benefits and Side Effects of the HPV Vaccine
There are a number of strategies to reduce your risk of getting an STD, such as:
Summary
While anyone who is sexually active may be at risk for an STD, females may experience different symptoms associated with an infection than males. The symptoms associated with viral, bacterial, and parasitic STDs will vary. However, many people (including people with vaginas) who have an infection will not experience any symptoms.
STD testing will depend on the type of infection that’s suspected. A healthcare provider may perform a physical exam and take different samples, including urine, blood, cheek swab, vaginal fluid, or lesion fluid to inform a diagnosis.
Frequently Asked QuestionsSTIs (or STDs) are very common. A recent report found that, in the United States, around 68 million people had an STI in 2018. Put another way, about 1 in 5 people have an STI.An STD (or STI) can go undetected for a long time. Many people will not be tested and diagnosed with an infection because most don’t have symptoms.This means that it’s possible to go undetected and untreated for some time.The time it takes for any symptoms to appear for a particular STD (or STI) after being exposed—if they appear at all—will differ depending on the specific cause. This is referred to as the incubation period. Symptoms can arise in as little as two days, as in some cases of genital herpes. It could take as long as 90 days before symptoms appear, which can occur with genital warts (HPV) or syphilis.Learn MoreThe Incubation Period of Common STIs
STIs (or STDs) are very common. A recent report found that, in the United States, around 68 million people had an STI in 2018. Put another way, about 1 in 5 people have an STI.
An STD (or STI) can go undetected for a long time. Many people will not be tested and diagnosed with an infection because most don’t have symptoms.This means that it’s possible to go undetected and untreated for some time.
The time it takes for any symptoms to appear for a particular STD (or STI) after being exposed—if they appear at all—will differ depending on the specific cause. This is referred to as the incubation period. Symptoms can arise in as little as two days, as in some cases of genital herpes. It could take as long as 90 days before symptoms appear, which can occur with genital warts (HPV) or syphilis.Learn MoreThe Incubation Period of Common STIs
The time it takes for any symptoms to appear for a particular STD (or STI) after being exposed—if they appear at all—will differ depending on the specific cause. This is referred to as the incubation period. Symptoms can arise in as little as two days, as in some cases of genital herpes. It could take as long as 90 days before symptoms appear, which can occur with genital warts (HPV) or syphilis.
Learn MoreThe Incubation Period of Common STIs
17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Child Health and Development.What causes sexually transmitted diseases (stds) or sexually transmitted infections (stis)?.Handsfield HH.Sexually transmitted diseases, infections, and disorders: what’s in a name?.Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2015;42(4):169. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000251U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Chlamydia.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Gonorrhea.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Trichomoniasis.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Women and HIV.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.HIV and AIDS basics.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Human papillomavirus.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Genital herpes.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Viral hepatitis.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Syphilis.MedlinePlus.Neurosyphilis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What std test should I get?.Planned Parenthood.How does std testing work?.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.How to prevent sexually transmitted infections (stis).Kreisel KM, Spicknall IH, Gargano JW, et al.Sexually transmitted infections among us women and men: prevalence and incidence estimates, 2018.Sexual Trans Dis. 2021;48(4):208-214. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001355World Health Organization.Sexually transmitted infections (stis).
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Child Health and Development.What causes sexually transmitted diseases (stds) or sexually transmitted infections (stis)?.Handsfield HH.Sexually transmitted diseases, infections, and disorders: what’s in a name?.Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2015;42(4):169. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000251U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Chlamydia.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Gonorrhea.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Trichomoniasis.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Women and HIV.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.HIV and AIDS basics.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Human papillomavirus.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Genital herpes.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Viral hepatitis.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Syphilis.MedlinePlus.Neurosyphilis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What std test should I get?.Planned Parenthood.How does std testing work?.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.How to prevent sexually transmitted infections (stis).Kreisel KM, Spicknall IH, Gargano JW, et al.Sexually transmitted infections among us women and men: prevalence and incidence estimates, 2018.Sexual Trans Dis. 2021;48(4):208-214. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001355World Health Organization.Sexually transmitted infections (stis).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Child Health and Development.What causes sexually transmitted diseases (stds) or sexually transmitted infections (stis)?.Handsfield HH.Sexually transmitted diseases, infections, and disorders: what’s in a name?.Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2015;42(4):169. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000251U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Chlamydia.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Gonorrhea.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Trichomoniasis.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Women and HIV.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.HIV and AIDS basics.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Human papillomavirus.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Genital herpes.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Viral hepatitis.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Syphilis.MedlinePlus.Neurosyphilis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What std test should I get?.Planned Parenthood.How does std testing work?.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.How to prevent sexually transmitted infections (stis).Kreisel KM, Spicknall IH, Gargano JW, et al.Sexually transmitted infections among us women and men: prevalence and incidence estimates, 2018.Sexual Trans Dis. 2021;48(4):208-214. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001355World Health Organization.Sexually transmitted infections (stis).
National Institute of Child Health and Development.What causes sexually transmitted diseases (stds) or sexually transmitted infections (stis)?.
Handsfield HH.Sexually transmitted diseases, infections, and disorders: what’s in a name?.Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2015;42(4):169. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000251
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Chlamydia.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Gonorrhea.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Trichomoniasis.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Women and HIV.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.HIV and AIDS basics.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Human papillomavirus.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Genital herpes.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Viral hepatitis.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Syphilis.
MedlinePlus.Neurosyphilis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What std test should I get?.
Planned Parenthood.How does std testing work?.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.How to prevent sexually transmitted infections (stis).
Kreisel KM, Spicknall IH, Gargano JW, et al.Sexually transmitted infections among us women and men: prevalence and incidence estimates, 2018.Sexual Trans Dis. 2021;48(4):208-214. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001355
World Health Organization.Sexually transmitted infections (stis).
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