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STDs & UTIs

🌟 STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)

What are they?
STDs are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Some are caused by bacteria, others by viruses or parasites.

Common STDs:

  • Chlamydia

  • Gonorrhea

  • Syphilis

  • Herpes (HSV)

  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)

  • HIV

  • Trichomoniasis

How do you get them?

  • Unprotected sex (without a condom or other barrier)

  • Skin-to-skin contact with infected areas (e.g., herpes or HPV)

  • Sharing sex toys without cleaning them properly

  • Rarely, from mother to baby during childbirth, or through blood transfusions (very rare now due to testing)

Symptoms (but not always):

  • Burning during urination

  • Unusual discharge from penis or vagina

  • Sores or bumps on genitals or mouth

  • Itching or irritation

  • Pain during sex

Some people don’t have symptoms at all but can still spread it.

🌟 UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections)

What are they?
UTIs are infections in any part of your urinary system — kidneys, bladder, ureters, or urethra. Most commonly, it's the bladder that gets infected.

How do you get them?

  • Bacteria (usually E. coli) from the skin or rectum gets into the urethra and travels up

  • Not peeing after sex (helps flush out bacteria)

  • Holding pee too long

  • Wiping back to front (in people with vaginas)

  • Poor hygiene

  • Dehydration

Symptoms:

  • Strong, frequent urge to pee

  • Burning feeling when peeing

  • Cloudy, bloody, or smelly urine

  • Pelvic or lower belly pain

UTIs are not STDs, but sex can sometimes trigger them because it introduces bacteria into the urinary tract.

💡 Key Differences:

STDsUTIs

Spread through sexCaused by bacteria entering urinary tract

Often viral or bacterialUsually bacterial (mostly E. coli)

May not have symptomsUsually has clear symptoms

Needs antibiotics or antiviral treatmentUsually treated with antibiotics

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💊 STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)

1. Bacterial STDs – These can usually be cured with antibiotics:

  • Chlamydia: Treated with antibiotics like azithromycin or doxycycline.

  • Gonorrhea: Often treated with an antibiotic injection (like ceftriaxone) + oral meds.

  • Syphilis: Treated with penicillin injections.

  • Trichomoniasis (caused by a parasite): Treated with metronidazole or tinidazole.

2. Viral STDs – These can’t be cured, but symptoms can be managed:

  • Herpes (HSV): Antiviral meds (like acyclovir, valacyclovir) reduce outbreaks and transmission.

  • HIV: Treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) – a combo of meds that control the virus.

  • HPV: No cure, but vaccines (like Gardasil) can prevent some types; warts can be removed if they appear.

Important:

  • Finish all meds, even if symptoms go away.

  • Partners may need treatment too.

  • Avoid sex until you're fully treated and cleared.

💊 UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections)

Treatment:

  • Antibiotics (like nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or amoxicillin) – usually clears up a UTI within a few days.

  • Drink lots of water to help flush out bacteria.

  • Pain relief: Meds like phenazopyridine (Azo) can ease burning or urgency, but don’t treat the infection.

For more serious UTIs (like kidney infections), you might need:

  • Stronger antibiotics

  • IV antibiotics if it's severe

  • A longer treatment course

🚨 When to See a Doctor:

  • Symptoms don’t go away

  • Fever or severe pain

  • You’re pregnant

  • You have frequent infections

  • You suspect an STD (even without symptoms)

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