STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease. It is a disease of human beings, which can be transmitted from one person to another by sexual contact.
There are many STDs, and they have different symptoms. STD Treatments in Singapore tend to vary depending on the disease.
For people who have been diagnosed with STDs or those who just think that they could be having an STD, a fairly common question that Dr Ben Medical gets is; can the STD just go away?
If this is your concern, then you’re on the right page. Keep reading as we explain the important details you need to know about STDs and the probability of them just going away.
How long does it usually take for an STD to Show up?
STDs have a variety of symptoms, which typically start appearing seven to fourteen days after sexual contact with an infected partner. If you have been sexually active, you should get yourself checked immediately if any symptoms appear for prompt treatment and effective management.
The symptoms may be mild or severe depending on the STD type and stage of infection. But whatever symptoms appear, they will always disappear when the infection is fully treated and healed, even though this period could last for several months up to a year or more depending on how severe your infections are.
In some cases, there are no symptoms at all, while others produce lesions that heal without scarring within a few weeks. Common symptoms include pain during urination or sexual activity, soreness in the infected areas or between thighs, painful penis during urination, rectal pains, etc. Commonly, some STDs are symptomless even if they have been diagnosed.
Is it Possible for STDs to Just Go Away?
If you think that STDs can go away by themselves, then you’re very wrong. The truth is, there’s no telling when the infection will be gone.
Yes, we agree that some milder infections can heal pretty fast, but this does not mean that all of them do disappear quickly, like Herpes (cold sores), Genital warts (HPV), and Pubic lice (crabs). When in doubt, it is always better to play safe by getting tested and beginning treatments (if necessary) rather than have regrets later when these infections are diagnosed at an advanced stage.
What Happens if you Leave STD Untreated?
It isn’t really wise to leave an STD untreated. Because of the problems it can cause for your future, if you have been diagnosed with an STD, it is very important that you seek treatment from your doctor as early as possible.
If you leave an STD untreated, there’s a higher probability of complications occurring, and these may cause long-term damage to your health. Here are some of the health conditions an untreated STD might lead to:
- Recurring pain in the lower pelvic area: Women who do not receive treatment for some STDs like Chlamydia or gonorrhea may have recurring pain in the lower pelvic area. If left untreated, one or two fallopian tubes may also get blocked.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease: This is a sexually transmitted infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes. It can cause scarring in these organs, which leads to infertility in most cases.
- Pain while passing urine or during urination: A sexually transmitted infection (STI) like Chlamydia and gonorrhea can spread to the kidneys and cause inflammation of the urethra, making it painful to urinate. Untreated STIs could also lead to chronic pelvic pain.
- Ectopic pregnancy: Blue-green vaginal discharge is the main symptom of ectopic pregnancy, which may be caused by untreated STDs such as Chlamydia. Ectopic pregnancies are life-threatening emergencies that will need immediate surgical intervention.
- Infertility: There may be cases where women who have had repeated episodes of PID and other forms of reproductive tract damage will no longer be able to conceive children.
- Urinary tract infections: Men with untreated Chlamydia, for example, may experience pain while urinating. In rare cases, the infection can travel from the bladder up to your kidneys, making you feel sick.
- Inflammation of the testicles: An untreated STD in men may lead to epididymitis which refers to inflammation of the tubes attached to a man’s testicles.
- Swollen prostate glands: Women with a severe pelvic inflammatory disease caused by an untreated STD may suffer from a condition called proctitis which causes severe pain around their anus when they menstruate.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: An untreated STD in women can lead to chronic inflammation in the pelvis, which may cause pain in the joints and surrounding tissue.
- Cancer: If left untreated, Chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which can sometimes lead to cervical cancer.
- Mental health impacts: Untreated STDs may also be linked with mood disorders or behavioral issues; for example, when women are affected by an untreated STD, they often experience depression and anxiety.
When Should I Consider Myself Free from Infection?
Usually, the only foolproof way to know if you are free of the infection after STD treatment in Singapore is to test yourself for STDs after a clean test result following your treatment. In some instances where there has been previous damage to the reproductive organs, you might have to continue using birth control or be extra careful during sexual intercourse, as these infections can recur even after being treated successfully once or twice.
The STD tests are particularly necessary;
- To be absolutely sure that the infection has been treated successfully and will not recur in the future. It is important to take all precautions to avoid infecting other people. The only way you can do this is by getting tested every now and then for STDs after your treatment.
- To know if you have become immune to certain infections. This may be necessary, especially when considering a vaccine against these infections, as vaccination would require immunity/protection against these diseases.
- To monitor how much damage or scarring has occurred during the course of an STD infection. Some long-term complications may need follow-up testing over time; for example, HPV test for those who have had genital warts may monitor the growth of warts. It is important to be aware that even after successful treatment, there is a possibility that you might have been left with scarring or damage to your organs. As an example, after being treated early enough, Chlamydia will not cause problems, but if it goes untreated and persists for a long time period, Chlamydia can cause harm to the woman’s reproductive organs.
The Bottom Line
STDs hardly go away on their own—and the worst part; leaving an STD untreated only predisposes you to more dangers. It isn’t a wise thing to leave an STD untreated. If you suspect that you could be having an STD and considering STD treatment in Singapore, be sure to give us a call now to schedule your appointment. All the details discussed over the appointment will remain highly confidential. Call Dr. Ben: +65 8881 2344.
Dr Ben Medical @ Jurong West : Men’s Sexual Health Clinic
221 Boon Lay Pl, #02-160 Shopping Centre, Singapore 640221
+65 8881 2344
