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STIs (sexually transmitted infections, also called sexually transmitted diseases or STDs) are common illnesses spread from person-to-person through sexual activity such as vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
Four STIs that can cause pus-like discharge and painful urination include:
- Gonorrhea
- May not cause any symptoms
- When symptoms of gonorrhea occur, in addition to pus-like discharge and painful urination, symptoms may include:
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Vaginal bleeding between periods
- Anal itching or soreness
- Rectal pain or bleeding
- Painful bowel movements
- Painful or swollen testicles (less common)
- Chlamydia
- May not cause any symptoms
- When symptoms of chlamydia occur, in addition to pus-like discharge and painful urination, symptoms may include:
- Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding from anal infection
- Pain and swelling in one or both testicles in men (less common)
- Trichomoniasis
- May not cause any symptoms
- When symptoms of trichomoniasis occur, in addition to pus-like discharge and painful urination, symptoms may include:
- Soreness
- Itching
- Burning
- Lower abdominal pain
- Urinary frequency
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Bleeding after sex
- Mild itching or burning sensation in the penis after sexual intercourse
- Vulvar redness
- Preterm delivery, and delivery of a low-birth-weight infant in pregnant women
- Mycoplasma genitalium
- May not cause any symptoms
- When symptoms of Mycoplasma genitalium occur, in addition to pus-like discharge and painful urination, symptoms may include:
- Pain in the pelvic area
- Pain during sex
- Bleeding after sex
- Bleeding between periods
How Are STDs Diagnosed?
STIs (sexually transmitted infections) are diagnosed with a patient history, which includes a patient’s sexual history, and a physical examination.
Doctors check for STIs with tests such as:
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Swabs to collect samples from the vagina, urethra, throat, or rectum
What Is the Treatment for STIs?
Treatment for STIs (sexually transmitted infections) may vary depending on the infection.
Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and Mycoplasma genitalium are treated with antibiotics.
- Sexual partners should also be treated
- Sex should be avoided until both the patient and partner have been treated
- Patients should be re-tested about three months after their diagnosis because many people are re-infected from untreated sexual partners
Trichomoniasis is treated with antibiotic/antiprotozoal medications.
- The recommended treatments are metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax)
- Sexual partners should also be treated
- Sex should be avoided until both the patient and partner have been treated
- Follow-up testing is recommended to make sure patients are cured
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https://www.cdc.gov/std/default.htm
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chlamydia-beyond-the-basics?search=Chlamydia&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=2
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/gonorrhea-beyond-the-basics?search=Gonorrhea&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=2#H13
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/trichomoniasis?search=Trichomoniasis&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~87&usage_type=default&display_rank=1
https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/mycoplasmagenitalium.htm