Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Health

While many STDs are very common, if STDs are left undiagnosed and untreated, they can lead to serious health consequences for the individual. This includes permanent and irreversible damage to the reproductive tract, which may lead to chronic pain and affect your ability to have children. Untreated STDs also increase your risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV. However, if STDs are treated promptly, these health consequences can be avoided.

It is common for individuals with STDs to have no obvious signs or symptoms (asymptomatic). This is especially true for infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea. This means that someone can be infected and not know it, leading to the individual unknowingly spreading the infections to others and putting them at risk for long-term health consequences. For asymptomatic STDs, the only way to know whether you are infected is to be tested.