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Symptoms of venereal diseases tend to be non-specific. They are easily confused with symptoms of other diseases, such as cystitis. However, there is a way that will help us find out about the “situation” and make a decision about visiting a specialist. The signs of sexually transmitted diseases are sometimes visible on our underwear. What should attract our attention?
- Toilet paper is a good ‘marker’ of information on developing STDs. Vigilance should arouse mainly the sight of blood or purulent discharge
- You may also experience discomfort, such as pain or burning, when you urinate when you develop a sexually transmitted disease.
- A visit to the toilet can help us recognize the symptoms of diseases such as gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia and viral hepatitis.
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Toilet paper is an important information medium
At the beginning it has to be made clear: this action is not our natural instinct. However, paying attention to the toilet paper we just used while using the toilet can give us quite a lot of information about our health.
The red light in the head should light up whenever we see blood (of course, excluding menstrual periods in women) or pus on the paper, especially after defecation. Their presence may indicate lymphadenopathy in the groin on one or both sides, or ulceration of the genitals or anus.
Intestinal problems
Most of us blame this type of ailments on unhealthy eating, overeating or temporary digestive disorders. However, intestinal problems can also be a sign of venereal disease.
Above all, constipation is alarming, but also painful bowel movements and loose stools. Occasionally, people diagnosed with an STI may have a feeling of incomplete bowel movement when visiting the toilet.
The rest of the text below the video.
Discomfort when urinating
It may be slight discomfort, burning, or pain. Unusual complaints during urination may indicate infection with one of the pathogens responsible for venereal diseases, both in women and men.
Pain or burning when urinating are very common symptoms of conditions such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis. This symptom could also be genital herpes (in this case, the discomfort is caused by the numerous small blisters that form in the genitals).
The color of the urine should also be alert. Its change may indicate health problems. Among the sexually transmitted diseases in which the unusual color of the urine is a characteristic symptom is, for example, viral hepatitis (the urine then becomes a very dark color and the stools a grayish shade).
Unusual discharge from intimate parts
In women, venereal diseases “like” manifest themselves in the form of atypical vaginal discharge. In general, its presence is completely natural (even if there is a lot of it), however, any changes in the consistency, smell or color of the discharge should cause concern.
When the discharge is “foamed”, it may indicate an infection with the vaginal trichomoniasis, which is responsible for the trichomoniasis parasitic disease, while the creamy consistency (white in color) may suggest candidiasis (fungal infection). The unpleasant, “fishy” smell of vaginal discharge is a common symptom of bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis, and the discharge of green or yellow color – gonorrhea.
Importantly, the discharge can also appear in men. Yellow discharge from a penis may be a sign of, inter alia, o trichomoniasis, and open wounds filled with pus may suggest shankroid, or venereal ulcer.
Stains on underwear and skin around intimate parts
However, staining underwear is not a “domain” of women. Also men may notice stains of unknown origin on this garment. If they are blue or black in color and you see a dark “powder” (looking like a powder) on your underwear, it may be a sign of pubic lice.
Blue (or actually blue) stains can appear not only on underwear, but also on the skin around intimate parts. They are formed as a result of numerous bites (lice feed on blood). In addition to haemolysis, the main symptom of pubic lice is itching in the groin area, skin on the thighs, abdomen and pubic mound in women.
Diagnostics, treatment and … protection
In the case of venereal diseases, it is very important to recognize them quickly. Thanks to this, the risk of infecting another person with them can be minimized (it is possible not only through physical contact, but also contact with the patient’s personal objects, including bed linen or towels).
If you notice any symptoms of venereal disease, go to your GP or specialist (gynecologist, andrologist or sexologist) as soon as possible and undergo diagnostic tests.
Check that you have not contracted an STD by taking a blood test. All you need to do is buy the Sexually Transmitted Diseases – Diagnostic Tests package on Medonet Market to be sure.
Treatment is not enough. Prevention is equally important, i.e. ensuring that the disease does not return and that it does not become infected with another pathogen responsible for venereal diseases. The most important rules are: practicing safe sex and maintaining hygiene of intimate parts.
We encourage you to listen to the latest episode of the RESET podcast. This time we devote it to one of the ways to deal with stress – the TRE method. What is it about? How does it release us from stress and trauma? Who is it intended for and who should definitely not use it? About this in the latest episode of our podcast.