• The most common STD is genital warts caused by one of the Human papilloma viruses (HPV). These don’t always look like warts. So, if you any growths, or flowery soft lesions either on or around the genitals or around the anus you may have genital warts.

• If you have any painful ulcers on the genitals or around the rectum you probably have herpes. Herpes is another common infection similar to cold sores. There are two types: herpes I and II. Both can be contracted through sexual contact and that includes oral sexual contact.

• If you have a painless ulcer it may be syphilis.

For men the most common symptoms of a bacterial STI like chlamydia or gonorrhoea are:

• Stinging at the end of the penis,

• Pain on passing urine or

• Redness and discharge from the end of the penis.

• Men also can feel discomfort in the scrotum and should have this examined in case there is something else going on.

• Pain in rectum or throat ( Most common in Men having sex with Men)

For women, chlamydia and gonorrhoea usually cause:

• vaginal discharge,

• bleeding in between periods,

• painful sexual intercourse or

• pain in the pelvis.

You can find details on STI’s by continuing reading below. If you have any concerns not answered here, please send us an email. 

Both men and women can be infected with Chlamydia without symptoms, or there may be nonspecific mild symptoms like feeling like you have a urine infection.

Women often describe a white or yellow discharge or bleeding between periods. Often women see a doctor after unsuccessful treatment for a urine infection or thrush.

Men may experience stinging on passing urine or redness at the end of the penis.

Treatment is successful with the correct antibiotic, but you need to see a doctor to be examined and have a swab or urine sample tested. Sometimes women can take a swab themselves and men of course can leave in a urine sample.

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted bacterial infection (STI) that can also infect the eyes and rectum.

If left untreated it can cause inflammation in the reproductive organs and in some cases cause infertility. It can also cause scarring in the fallopian tubes ( the tubes that attach the ovaries to the womb) that may result in a pregnancy outside of the womb if one was to become pregnant (ectopic pregnancy).

This infection can also be passed onto your baby at birth.

If you are in doubt about your STI symptoms get checked out. 

The majority of women who have gonorrhoea will not have any symptoms. And when they do have some symptoms it can be very similar to a urine infection or thrush.

Like Chlamydia, women can have bleeding between periods, increased vaginal discharge or pain/burning on passing urine.

For men the symptoms are often more clear, but again similar to Chlamydia:

• A white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis;

• Pain on passing urine

• Painful or swollen testicles (although this is less common).

Rectal symptoms are also possible. They may either cause no symptoms or cause symptoms in both men and women such as:

• Discharge ( a white or mucous liquid from the rectum)

• Anal itching

• Soreness

• Bleeding

• Painful bowel movements.

If you notice any of these symptoms get in touch for a consultation.

Or, if your partner has an STD/STI or symptoms of an STD, such as an unusual sore, smelly discharge, burning when urinating, or bleeding between periods, you should both be examined and have some tests carried out.

Treatment is with an antibiotic. Over the last five years some antibiotics no longer work for gonorrhoea- the bacteria has developed resistance-and so it is important to have a swab or urine sample taken to confirm what antibiotic will correctly treat your infection.

Hepatitis B and C

Some people can have Hep B or C for some time without symptoms.

These two viral infections are transmitted either through blood products-blood transfusion or needle stick injury- or during unprotected sexual contact.

They mostly cause infection of the liver.

These days it is unusual to see this infection if you have had a blood transfusion or blood products such as plasma after the 1980’s; however, if you had a blood transfusion or plasma before 1980 that you would be at risk of this infection as blood was not screened for this virus.

Today, the most common means of contracting Hep B or Hep C from blood, is either from a needle stick injury at work or if you have used intravenous drugs recreationally.

If you haven’t been exposed to blood products then the most common means of contracting Hepatitis B or C is through unprotected sexual intercourse.

In some countries screening of blood products began in the early 1970’s for hep A and B, but Hep C was not discovered until 1989. Before this time, it was known that something in blood was causing jaundice that was not Hep A nor Hep B, so it was known as NON Hep A/B infection.

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

There are two types. HSV-2 is usually only associated with genital infection. Whereas HSV-1 is mostly associated with cold sores around the mouth; however HSV-1 can affect the genitals as well..

Genital herpes infection has the added complication that it may allow HIV to enter the body due to the breakdown in the skin.

It can also cause severe disease if you are on drugs that lower the immune system and it can be fatal to the unborn baby.

Treatment is with antiviral tablets'; however in severe cases of lesions around the mouth affecting swallowing you may need to be admitted for intravenous medication in hospital.

Genital warts are caused by human papilloma virus (HPV).

There are many types of HPV. HPV types 6 and 11 cause the majority of genital warts.

They are very common and can come go without active treatment. If the warts are persistent or unsightly and you want them removed then a cream or liquid (Warticon) can be used over a period of 3-4 months to remove them.

Alternatively if you prefer to the genital wart removed quickly or if you have a large wart it can be frozen either with histofreeze or liquid nitrogen.

If you are pregnant it’s important to see a doctor before trying a cream as some of them can be harmful to the unborn baby.

Aldara is licensed for use in pregnancy and not known to harmful at the time of writing.

Persistent HPV infections can also lead to cancers – anal, throat and penile cancers in men, and vaginal, vulval and cervical cancers in women.

The majority of HPV related cancers are associated with types 16 and 18.

HPV vaccine for girls was introduced as a school based programme in Northern Ireland in 2008/09. Until September 2012 the vaccine used protected against the oncogenic types 16 and 18, but not those types causing genital warts.

From September 2012 onwards, the vaccine used also contains additional protection against types 6 and 11 which account for 90% of genital warts.

In September 2014 the HPV immunisation programme changed from a three dose to a two dose schedule for those starting the course under the age of 15, in line with national recommendations.

From October 2016, the same quadrivalent HPV vaccine was introduced for Men who have sex with men (MSM) aged up to 45 years attending GUM or STI clinics.

Research shows that men who have sex with men (MSM) attending GUM, sexual health and HIV treatment services are more likely to carry HPV in comparison to heterosexual men.

And example is HPV type16 which is associated with anal cancers in men who have sex with men (MSM) compared to heterosexual men. This is even more marked in those with HIV infection.

So it is important to consider HPV vaccination in this group.