If you have oral sex, anal sex or vaginal intercourse, you can get a sexually transmitted infection symptom. Sexual health symptoms are not always obvious. If you are afraid that you have sexual health symptoms or have a sexually transmitted infection, see a doctor as soon as possible. While some STIs are easy to cure; other STIs require more treatments to manage them. If properly untreated, an STI can lead to organ damage, infertility, and certain types of cancer or death.
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List Of Sexual Health Symptoms For Women That You Should Know
In this article, Healthy Guide will show you some of the most common signs and symptoms of sexual problems that women can experience. So, if you are concerned about this topic, you should keep both of your eyes on this article right now.
CONTENTS
I. Certain Sexual Health Symptoms For Women
Women with sexual health problems can experience any of the following signs and symptoms. All of these symptoms are common and easy to notice.
1. Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
This should be the first one among sexual health symptoms for women that we want to mention in this article. Any change in the vaginal discharge whether it is the colour, the amount or consistency, may be a sign of infection. If there is a foul odor in your vaginal discharge, this can show that you are having a sexual health problem.
Read on Top 37 Things Women Need To Know About Sexual Health to discover some of the best sexual health things that women should be aware of.
2. Pain During Sex
Although not all sex is good, it should not be painful. In some cases, women with an STD can experience sharp discomfort and pain during sex. This occurs because the tissues of the cervix and vagina are inflamed, hence making them more sensitive. According to a study [1], pain can be caused due to vaginal dryness, or it can be a symptom of a medical issue like ovarian cysts or endometriosis. To deal with painful sex, you can talk to your doctor to rule out medical problems like endometriosis, ovarian cysts or vaginismus. If they are not the problem, you can try out pelvic floor physical therapy, surgery or medication in order to cure the cause of pain.
List of Top 13 Yoga Poses- How To Use Yoga To Improve Sexual Health will show you some of the best yoga poses that can help improve sexual health, so check it out!
3. Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness can result from changes in hormone levels during menopause. In fact, half of postmenopausal women suffer from vaginal dryness. To deal with this, you should opt for a good lubricant or vaginal moisturizer before and during sexual intercourse. If your body needs extra assistance, consult your doctor about the non-estrogen oral pill that helps reduce vaginal dryness attributed to menopause.
To know some of the home remedies for boosting female sex drive after 50 and menopause, read on 24 Tips How To Boost Female Sex Drive Fast Naturally after 50 & Menopause
4. Spotting Between Periods
When it comes to learning sexual health symptoms for women, you should get checked out if you notice spotting between periods. Some certain STDs can cause bleeding between periods. This is because the cervix is inflamed due to the infection. So, if you notice that you have spotting between periods, you should see a doctor to figure out whether you have a STD such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
If you want to know some of the common causes of irregular periods before and after marriage and during breastfeeding, read on 24 Causes Of Irregular Periods During Breastfeeding, Before & After Marriage
5. Vaginal Itch And Sore
If you cannot stop scratching, it may be another symptom for an infection. For example, it could be trichomoniasis, which is a common STD causing the vagina itch. Also, right after getting infected with syphilis, women can experience round sores in the vagina, anus or mouth. After a few weeks, these sores can go away naturally without treatment. Women still have the infection, but it may move on to the second stage.
6. Pelvic Pain
Some women may have a pelvic pain that may be different from cramps or premenstrual symptoms. This condition is called cervicitis, and it shows that the cervix is inflamed. If it does not go away after taking ibuprofen or Tylenol, you need to get checked out.
Read More: 20 Essential Oils For Menopause Hair Loss, Insomnia, Fatigue, Itching, Dryness
7. Trouble Reaching Orgasm
About 5% of perimenopausal women have trouble reaching orgasm. Apart from hormone changes, according to a study [2], the inability to reach orgasm can also be due to insufficient foreplay, anxiety, certain medications as well as chronic diseases. It is important to consult your doctor to deal with the underlying problem before treating it. Also, you should try being more mindful by paying attention to your sensations during sex, making it easier to reach orgasm.
8. Arousal Problems
The inability to get aroused can be due to some reasons, including anxiety or inadequate stimulation. If you experience pain or dryness during sex, it can also be more difficult to get turned on. Besides, hormonal changes caused by menopause can also make you find harder to get in the mood. To deal with this, you can try a sexual therapy, or a medication.
9. Low Sexual Desire
As hormone levels decline during menopause, your libido can be reduced, too. According to a research [3], low female libido can be caused by some health problems, including medical issues like low blood pressure and diabetes, and psychological issues like stress or depression. Besides, certain medications like hormonal contraceptives can also affect your libido. The fact is that there is no solution that can surely boost female libido. So, you should talk to your doctor who can help you deal with the root of the problem. If your issue is psychological or emotional, you can see a therapist.
10. A Rough, Red Rash On The Skin
This is another one among common sexual health symptoms for women that we want to mention in this article. Women who have syphilis can develop rough, red rashes on their skin, in some cases, on the soles of the feet, the palm or the torso. Besides, syphilis can lead to long-term damage like neurological and cardiovascular problems.
11. Painful Pee
Painful pee can be caused by inflammation in the urinary tract and genital area, which can be the result of sexually transmitted diseases or other infections.
If you want to know more about sexual health symptoms for women and women’s health, you should continue to read the part two of this article and then try getting checked out as soon as possible.
II. Common Symptoms Of STIs
Now, we will show you some of the common symptoms and signs of sexually transmitted infections. They include:
1. Chlamydia Symptoms
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection occurring in the genital tract. When it occurs, you can experience some common symptoms:
- Painful urination
- Lower abdominal pain
- Pain during sex
- Vaginal discharge
- Bleeding between periods
2. Gonorrhea Symptoms
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection occurring in the genital tract, mouth, eyes, throat and anus. Some common symptoms of gonorrhoea are:
- Thick or bloody discharge from the vagina
- Pain when urinating
- Spotting between periods or heavy menstrual bleeding
- Anal itching
3. Hepatitis Symptoms
Hepatitis is a contagious viral infection that can affect your liver. Some people develop no signs or symptoms while some others experience the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Dark urine
- Fever
- Muscle or joint pain
- Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes
4. HPV Infection Symptoms
HPV infection usually has no symptoms. However, some women with HPV infection can experience some common symptoms. The symptoms of HPV include:
- Flesh-colored swellings in the genital area
- Itching or discomfort in the genital area
- Bleeding when sex
5. Trichomoniasis Symptoms
Trichomoniasis is known as a common STI caused due to one-celled parasite named Trichomonas vaginalis. It spreads during sex with somebody who already has this infection. Trichomoniasis [4] often infects the vagina in women. Its symptoms may appear within 5- 28 days of exposure. Signs and symptoms of Trichomoniasis may include:
- Clear, white yellowish or greenish vaginal discharge
- Strong vaginal odor
- Vaginal itching or irritation
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Painful pee
After reading this interesting article, we hope that you can know some of the common sexual health symptoms for women. And then, if you notice you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should get checked out as soon as possible.
If you think that this list is helpful and can help other women around you who are suspecting to have sexual problems, you should share this list with them right now. Also, if you have any ideas about this topic, you can leave your comments in the comment section below. For further sexual health facts and tips, you can visit our Sexual Health Category.
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