Health Information
Basics STI Facts
STIs are very common among people living in the US: About half of sexually active people will get an STI by age 25. STIs are spread in various ways: through sexual fluids like semen and vaginal secretions, through genital skin-to-skin contact during sex, and through blood. Having an STI may also increase your chances of getting or transmitting HIV.
Unfortunately, many STIs often do not have visible symptoms, or the symptoms are easily overlooked. So, it’s important to get tested regularly for STIs in addition to HIV. The CDC recommends that sexually guys who have sex with other guys screen at least once a year for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Guys who have had more than one sex partner in a year should be screened every 3–6 month.
The most effective way to prevent STIs is to not have sex or to be in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be STI-free. If you are sexually active and not in a monogamous relationship, using condoms correctly every time you have sex is the best way to reduce your risk of getting an STI and HIV. Additionally, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) can prevent HIV and the HPV vaccine can prevent the most common and worst types of HPV.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
The most common STI, HPV is a virus that is transmitted by skin-to-skin touching, usually during oral, anal, or vaginal sex. The body usually fights off HPV before it causes any health problem, but if not, it can cause genital or anal warts and cancer. Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or group of bumps around the penis or anus. They can be treated but often come back.
HPV infection can be prevented by getting vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is called Gardasil-9 and is currently the best method for HPV prevention. Gardasil-9 protects against the 7 most common cancer-causing HPV types and the 2 HPV types that cause the most cases of genital warts.
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
Gonorrhea and chlamydia are two of the most common bacterial STIs and are transmitted through fluids like semen and vaginal secretions during oral, anal, or vaginal sex. Some men infected with gonorrhea or chlamydia may not show any symptoms or signs of infection.
When there are symptoms, the most common include a burning sensation when urinating, discharge from the penis or anus, painful or swollen testicles, anal itching, soreness, anal bleeding, or painful bowel movements. Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to serious problems like infertility.
Fortunately, both chlamydia and gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics, though some types of gonorrhea are resistant to medication. Testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea are site-specific, so you have to test your mouth, penis, and rectum separately.
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is a virus that is transmitted by skin-to-skin touching during oral, anal, and vaginal sex. Most people who have herpes have no or very mild symptoms. When there are symptoms, herpes sores usually appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals, rectum, or mouth. It is possible to get herpes from sores that are not visible because the virus can be released through the skin. There is no vaccine or cure for herpes, but medicines that can prevent or shorten outbreaks.
Syphilis
Although once nearly eliminated in the U.S., rates of syphilis are increasing, especially in guys who have sex with other guys. Syphilis is a bacterial STI spread by direct contact with a syphilis sore (chancre). Chancres form on the part of the body that was exposed to the syphilis bacteria, such as the penis, vagina, tongue, or mouth. Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics, but if it is not treated quickly and correctly, it can cause serious permanent damage to vital organs (e.g., brain, nerves, heart) and even death.