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Top 10 STD Questions for Women
How do I know if my partner or I have an STD?
Can STDs cause problems for me or my baby if I’m pregnant?
Can having an STD cause problems for my health in the future?
I had a Pap smear. Did they test me for STDs then?
If I’m on the pill, can I still get an STD?
Can I get an STD more than once?
Will douching, or washing right after I have sex keep me from getting an STD?
How long do I need to have an STD before it shows up on a test?
My partner says he hates condoms. How do I get him to use one when we have sex?
How do I know if my partner or I have an STD?
The truth is, many STDs don’t have symptoms women or men can see or feel. The only way to know for sure if you have an STD is to have regular testing for STDs.
Still, it’s important to learn what is normal for your body or your partner’s body. Get things checked out when something changes, like a new or unusual discharge (yellow or white fluid) coming out of your vagina.
Other things that may not be normal in women include:
- Unusual bleeding that is different from your period
- Pain when you have sex or when you pee
- Bumps or sores around your vagina, anus, or mouth
- Fever and pain in your belly
- Rashes on your body
Things that may not be normal in men include:
- Discharge from his penis or anus
- Pain when he has sex or pees
- Bumps or sores around his penis, anus, or mouth
- Pain in his testicles
- Rashes on his body
Can STDs cause problems for me or my baby if I’m pregnant?
Yes. Some STDs can put your baby at risk of being born too early. Other STDs can be passed to your baby during birth. This can lead to problems for your baby, like blindness, breathing problems, or in rare situations, even death. Because of these risks to you or your baby, if you’re pregnant, it’s important to consider getting tested for all STDs, including HIV. There are medications that you can take to keep you and your baby healthy.
Can having an STD cause problems for my health in the future?
Yes. Without treatment, some STDs can lead to long-term health problems, including infertility (not being able to get pregnant or have a baby), or chronic pain in the lower belly. Some STDs, like HIV infection and herpes, are with you for the rest of your life, although you can take medications to help with symptoms.
I had a Pap smear. Did they test me for STDs then?
Not necessarily. A Pap smear is a test that checks for signs of cancer of the cervix. See an illustration.
Illustration of the Cervix
Although you go through a pelvic exam to get a Pap smear done, the doctor or nurse doing your pelvic exam may not automatically do STD testing at the same time. Ask your doctor about testing for STDs. The doctor or nurse can help you figure out which STD tests are right for you by talking to you about your sexual history. Be honest with your doctor about your sexual history; it will help them determine what STD testing needs to be done.
If I'm on the pill, can I still get an STD?
Yes. Birth control pills, and other birth control methods like the shot (Depo-Provera), the patch (OrthoEvra), and the ring (Nuvaring) are hormones designed to prevent pregnancy. These hormones don't protect against STDs. Women using the pill or other hormone birth control should still use condoms to protect themselves against infections.
Can I get an STD more than once?
Yes. Bacterial STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea are curable. However, if you cure an STD, and then have sex with a partner who is infected, you can get it again. For help discussing ways to get your partner treated as well, call 617-983-6951, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Division of STD Prevention.
Will douching, or washing right after I have sex keep me from getting an STD?
Unfortunately, you can’t prevent an STD infection by douching or washing. Douching changes the normal balance in the body by washing away the good bacteria that live in the vagina, so if you douche you might be more likely to get an STD or other infection.
How long do I need to have an STD before it shows up on a test?
It depends on the STD. Some STDs, like gonorrhea or chlamydia, may take just a few days to show up on a test. Other STDs, like HIV infection, syphilis or herpes, may take a few weeks to several months to show up on a test. This is why it’s important to get regular testing for STDs. Talk to a doctor or nurse about how often you should get tested for STDs.
My partner says he hates condoms. How do I get him to use one when we have sex?
It might be hard, but try to talk to your partner about STDs. Ask him to get specific about why he hates condoms. Depending upon his response, there are a number of things you can do to make condom use more enjoyable for both you and him. Try different brands of condoms. Another option is to use some lubrication (the slippery stuff used with condoms); extra lubricant can help keep a condom from breaking, and can increase the pleasure for both partners
No matter what, no one should pressure you to have sex without protection, or force you to have sex if you don’t want to.
Can I get an STD by sharing sex toys with my partner(s)?
Although it is possible to get STDs by sharing sex toys with your partner(s), there are ways to cut down on this possibility. Washing the sex toys in hot soapy water or maybe with a bleach solution before sharing (then rinse well with plain water after using the soap or bleach solution!), or using fresh condoms over them for each partner can decrease any chance of contact with menstrual blood, vaginal fluids, semen, or other body fluids that might transmit STDs.
If you need more information, take a look at these additional resources, or call the HIV/STD hotline at 800.235.2331 or email us at STD411@aac.org.