Female and male reproductive systems: Sexually transmitted infections

As their name implies, sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are infections that get transmitted during sexual intercourse or sexual contact. They are also known as sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs.

Now, common viral pathogens that can cause sexually transmitted infections include herpes simplex virus, or HSV, that causes genital herpes; human papillomavirus, or HPV, that causes genital warts; and human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Common bacterial pathogens include Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, which causes gonorrhea; Chlamydia Trachomatis, which causes chlamydia; and Treponema Pallidum, which causes syphilis.

These pathogens are typically transmitted from person to person through sexual fluids, such as vaginal secretions or semen.

But, it’s important to note that besides external genitalia, sexually transmitted infections can also affect other parts of the body, including eyes, mouth, throat, and anus.

First, let’s focus on sexually transmitted viral infections, starting with herpes simplex virus. There are two types of herpes simplex virus: herpes simplex virus type I and herpes simplex virus type II.

Herpes simplex virus type I is not technically an STI; instead, it typically infects the lips and causes a small painful blister, commonly known as cold sore.

On the other hand, herpes simplex virus type II usually affects the genital and perianal area and causes small, painful blisters. Because it affects a person’s genital area, this type is also known as genital herpes.

It’s important to note that there’s no treatment or vaccine for herpes simplex virus; therefore, outbreaks of small, painful blisters may occur again after the initial blisters disappear.

Moving on to human papillomavirus. This sexually transmitted viral infection is associated with numerous genital warts that have a cauliflower-like surface.

Genital warts are also known as venereal warts, and they tend to be skin-colored. In biological males, they occur on the penis and scrotum, while in biological females, they affect the vulva, vagina, and cervix.

Moreover, HPV infection of the cervix is associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer. They are usually painless, but in some individuals, they can also cause itching, burning, local pain, or bleeding.

Genital warts can be treated with medication applied to the skin, or they can be removed with a laser or frozen with liquid nitrogen and then sloughed off.

Switching gears and moving on to gonorrhea, which is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection caused by Neisseria Gonorrhoeae.

In biological males, gonorrhea can be asymptomatic or associated with burning sensation when urinating. Additionally, it can lead to clear, greenish, or purulent urethral discharge.

In biological females, gonorrhea can also be asymptomatic or characterized by a thick white, purulent vaginal or urethral discharge.

If the infection progresses, the bacteria can travel to the fallopian tubes or into the abdominal cavity.

This can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID for short, which is a condition associated with lower abdominal pain and fever.

If left untreated, pelvic inflammatory disease can lead to infertility. Most cases of gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics. Next up is chlamydia, which is caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis.