STDs remains one of the major health threat in the U.S. What if you come to know that women bear more risks for some STD than men. That’s true some STD affects women more than men.
Each year untreated STDs cause infertility in at least 24,000 women in the U.S., and untreated syphilis in pregnant women results in infant death in up to 40 percent of cases.
Below are some STD impact women differently from men.
Anatomical constraints in women
Women are more susceptible to some bacterial STDs and viral STDs like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, HPV, and Herpes, etc. The reason being their anatomical structure wherein, women have the lining of the vagina thinner. So it is easier for bacterias and viruses to enter. On the contrary, in men, the skin on the penis is thick and firm. Also, the vaginal opening is much broader than the penis also the fact that the moist environment in and around vagina flourishes bacterial growth.
Women don’t show more symptoms
For some asymptomatic STD like chlamydia, HPV, Herpes, and gonorrhea, women show fewer symptoms compared that with men.
This is especially dangerous as according to CDC’s report
- Chlamydia: less than 5 percent of women display symptoms
- HPV: Approximately 100 types of human papillomavirus infection (HPV) have been identified, at least 40 of which can infect the genital area (758). Most HPV infections are self-limited and are asymptomatic or unrecognized.
- Gonorrhea: less than 50 percent of women display symptoms for gonorrhea.
- Herpes: 10% of women during periods were examined for herpes when there were no signs or symptoms of illness was observed.
Even when in some cases the symptoms are observed, they go away even though the infection may remain.
STD or normal discharge
Normal discharge in women or that burning/itching is related to a yeast infection, while when there is a discharge in men it is unusual hence can alarm the patent.
When the vaginal discharge is fluid, that is, released by glands inside the vaginal and cervix. It serves the purpose of clearing the vagina of bad bacteria and/or dead cells, and also acts as a lubricant. Thus, normal discharge is fluid clear or cloudy and odorless. It may become thin and watery or thicker at different times of the month. This can lead to the confusion for an STD or PID in women.
Visibility of the STDs on genitals in case of women
Genital warts, sores, ulcer-like in herpes or syphilis can be clearly visible on men’s genitals, whereas in the vagina they may not be easily visible.
This again due to anatomical structures of genitals, on penis the signs can be easily seen, whereas warts, sores ulcer on female genital may appear inside the vaginal on the fallopian tube.
Health complications and Infertility issues in women
Most common STDs such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea if left untreated can cause fertility issues in women. Untreated STDs can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease(PID) which can also result in infertility and ectopic pregnancy
Chlamydia being one of the most common STDs results in few complications in men.
Pregnant women can pass STDs to their babies
Sexually transmitted diseases like Genital herpes, syphilis and HIV can be passed from a mother (if infected) to her baby.
This is critical when considering the type or nature of diseases like Syphilis and HIV.
Also read The STD symptom chart
The effects of these deadly STDs can be stillbirth (a baby that is born dead), low birth weight (less than five pounds), brain damage, blindness and deafness.
For women, some STDs may result in Cancer
While Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in men, most do not lead to to health issues. But that is not in case of women, in women HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer.
By one fact, by age 50 approximately 80% of women have been infected with some type of HPV.
As per data by National cancer Institute most oropharyngeal cancers (70%) in the United States are caused by HPV.
- Anal cancer: Over 90% of anal cancers are caused by HPV.
- Penile cancer: Most penile cancers (over 60%) are caused by HPV.
- Vaginal cancer: Most vaginal cancers (75%) are caused by HPV.
- Vulvar cancer: Most vulvar cancers (70%) are caused by HPV.
Women typically see their doctor more often than men.
All is not bad, a new government study reveals that women visit the clinics more often than men, about 33 percent more. This leads to more frequent diagnoses for women for various diseases including STD.
There are vaccines and other available treatment to prevent HPV and other STDs. Thus, if diagnosed early, it can prevent serious health consequences, such as infertility.
Prevention is always better than cure, thus apart from the vaccines, there are resources available these days which can prevent STD and to protect themselves and their partners from STDs, stating where to receive testing and treatment.
Thus the STD test suggested during the visit to the nearby clinic leads to more thorough checkup, while the Pap test screens for cervical cancer, it is not a good test for other types of cancer or STDs.