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.
Itching In Genital Area
Lots of things can cause itching -- from dry skin to everyday rashes and fungal infections. However, genital itching can be a sign that your partner has contracted crab lice or other STDs. If you start to experience itching yourself, it’s important to get yourself checked right away.
Open Sores, Blisters or Bumps Near the Mouth or Genitals
Herpes is an STD that’s characterized by blisters or sores on the penis, testicles, on or around the anus, buttocks or thighs, as well as on the lips, tongue, gums and other parts of the body. Other STDs, like HPV, are characterized by the presence of sores, blisters or genital warts. If you see anything that looks suspicious, don’t engage in sexual activity. Even oral sex will put you at risk of contracting an STD. Have a conversation with your partner and insist on an STD test. If you’ve recently had sex with your partner prior to noticing the lesions, it may be time for you to get an STD test of your own to determine whether or not you may have already been exposed.
Painful Intercourse or Painful Urination
If your partner is having painful urination (and admits to it) or if you notice that he’s finding intercourse to be painful or suddenly has an aversion to being intimate, it may be a sign that he has contracted an STD. If he experiences these symptoms, you may want to get yourself checked for STDs to be sure you haven’t contracted a disease. Remember, some diseases are contagious before the onset of symptoms, so even if you are symptom-free, it doesn’t mean that you are
Loss of Appetite
If you’ve noticed that your partner, who used to pack away meals and come back for seconds, is not eating with the daintiness of a runway model, have a conversation with him about what’s going on. A loss of appetite is an early symptom of many STDs, including but not limited to herpes and hepatitis B. A decreased appetite may be caused by other factors, including stress at work or a quiet diet (he may be trying to lose weight but not want you to know he’s self-conscious). Use your intuition and trust your gut. If his loss of appetite is combined with any of the other symptoms on this list, it may be time to request that your partner get an STD test.
Swollen Lymph Nodes
Swollen lymph nodes are a sign of many illnesses, and may not be an immediate indication that your partner has an STD. However, if your partner had unprotected sex and experiences swollen lymph nodes, it may be wise to request that he undergo an STD screening, because swollen glands are an early symptom of such diseases as syphilis and HIV. Only a test can rule out an STD, and you may want to have yourself screened as a precaution if you have reason to believe that your partner may have contracted an STD.
Signs of General Illness: Fever, Flu-Like Symptoms and Fatigue
If you feel run down after unprotected sexual intercourse, don’t assume that you’re just coming down with a cold. General flu-like symptoms, ranging from fever and body aches to fatigue and nausea, are all signs of an STD as well as a general illness. Most STDs can be treated with antibiotics and are relatively easy to cure, so get yourself checked.
Even if your partner doesn’t have any of the symptoms above, he or she may still be sick. It’s important to get checked for STDs regularly, even if you’re in a committed relationship, and there are other steps that you can take to minimize your risks of contracting an STD:
● Use A Condom! Condoms are the best form of protection for sexually active people against both STDs and pregnancy. For oral sex, use a condom or latex square.
● Cut Down on Alcohol. Research shows that alcohol consumption, as well as recreational drug use, lead to unprotected sex.
● Talk With Your Partner. Sharing sexual histories and past diagnoses is essential to keeping you both safe and healthy.
● Stick to “What’s mine is mine.” Don’t share vibrators or other sex toys with your partner.
● Get regular checkups. If you or your partner have more than one sexual partner or if you suspect that your partner has had more than one partner, you should have an STD checkup every six months, or after an act of unprotected sex that may have caused an STD. Remember that some STDs may still test as being negative within the first few days/weeks.
● Use common sense. Look closely at your partner for any signs of STDs -- a rash, sore, any unusual redness or discharge. If you see anything that concerns you, abstain from sex.