There are a wide range of sexually transmitted diseases and infections that affect men, from herpes to gonorrhea and herpes. we will be looking at the signs and symptoms of each and possible treatments.
Herpes
Many people who have herpes will not have any symptoms, and those who do may have a difficult time identifying them.
Sometimes herpes blisters are so mild that they can resemble insect bites, ingrown hairs, or razor burn.
Common signs and symptoms of herpes in men include:
Painful blisters or open sores in or around the mouth
Blisters on the genitals, rectum, buttocks, or thighs
Tingling, itching, or burning sensations of the skin around the blisters
Sore muscles in the lower back, buttocks, and upper legs
Fever
Loss of appetite
Diagnosis:
Healthcare providers can use the following tests to help diagnose herpes:
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. This test examines the individual’s DNA to see if they have herpes. It can be useful when people do not have any visible symptoms.
Blood tests.
Cell culture: Healthcare providers use this test when someone has visible sores around their genitals. The test involves collecting a sample of the fluid inside one of the sores.
Treatment
There is no cure for herpes, and people may experience recurrent outbreaks over time. Treatments focus on managing the symptoms and extending the time between outbreaks.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a bacterial STI that a person with the infection can pass on by having anal, oral, or vaginal sex without a condom. Men can get chlamydia in the urethra, rectum, or throat.
People refer to chlamydia as a “silent” infection because people are often unaware that they have it. The majority of chlamydia infections in men do not cause any symptoms, but some men can develop symptoms of several symptoms after infection.
Common signs and symptoms of chlamydia in the urethra in men include:
Discharge from the penis
Pain when urinating
Burning or itching around the opening of the penis
Pain and swelling in one or both testicles
Chlamydia infections in the rectum are less common, but they do occur. Although these infections usually have no symptoms, they can cause:
Rectal pain
Bleeding
Discharge
On rare occasions, chlamydia can infect the epididymis, which is the tube that carries sperm from the testicles to the vas deferens. This can cause:
pain
Fever
in rare cases, fertility issues
Diagnosis
Healthcare providers usually collect urine samples to test for chlamydia in men, but they may use a cotton swab to get a sample from the urethra instead.
Treatment
Curing chlamydia with oral antibiotics is relatively straightforward. Treatment consists of either a single dose or a 7-day course of an antibiotic. Repeat infections are common, so it is wise to get another test for chlamydia after completing treatment.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is an infection with the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonorrhea can affect the urethra, rectum, or throat. People can transmit these bacteria through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom.
Most men who have gonorrhea show no symptoms. When gonorrhea in the urethra does cause symptoms, these usually appear 1-14 days after infection.
Common signs and symptoms of gonorrhea in men include:
painful urination
white, yellow, or gray discharge from the urethra
pain in the testicles
itching and soreness in the anus
painful bowel movements
bloody discharge from the anus
Treatment
Healthcare providers can treat gonorrhea with antibiotics. The CDC recommends dual therapy with ceftriaxone and azithromycin. Medication will stop the infection, but it will not repair any damage that the disease causes.
Healthcare providers are becoming increasingly concerned about the rise of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea, which will make successful treatment much more difficult, if not impossible.
Bacteria are also responsible for Syphillis, which people transmit through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom.
Men who have sex with men (MSM) have a higher risk of contracting syphilis.
Syphilis is also known as “The Great Pretender” because its symptoms can resemble those of other diseases.
The symptoms of syphilis progress in stages known as primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. Each stage has its own unique set of symptoms that can last for weeks, months, or even years.
The symptoms of primary syphilis include:
A small, firm sore where the bacteria initially entered the body, usually on the penis, anus, mouth, or lips
sores can also appear on the fingers or buttocks
swollen lymph nodes in the neck, groin, or armpits
Secondary syphilis can cause the following signs and symptoms:
skin rashes on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
large gray or white lesions in the mouth, anus, armpit, or groin
fatigue
Sore throat
swollen lymph nodes
Hair loss