While many men with STDs appear completely healthy and may not know that they are infected, there are some tell-tale warning signs that you should look out for to minimize your risks for contracting an STD:
Unusual Penile Discharge
If your partner is experiencing fluid loss from the penis that is not urine or semen, or if you notice a crusty fluid on underwear, it may be the sign of an STD, like gonorrhea. Diseases like this can be contagious prior to the onset of symptoms and can remain contagious for many months, especially without treatment. It’s important to abstain from sexual intercourse and ask your partner to take an STD test (and take one yourself). If one partner seeks treatment and the other does not, the disease can be transmitted right back to him or her.
Unusual Rashes on the Body or Near the Genitals
If you notice that your partner has been particularly itchy in the groin area or you notice that a rash, redness or swelling on or near the genitals, it may be a sign of an STD. Rashes don’t just have to be limited to the genital area, however, to be an STD. Syphilis, for example, presents with a rash on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. If you notice any unusual body rashes or if you suspect that a partner you’ve had unprotected sex with may have had another partner, it’s always wise to get an STD test to be sure you haven’t contracted any diseases.