Just The Facts about Sexually Transmitted Infections

Symptoms of STIs


Most people with an STI have no symptoms.


Some STIs will cause very obvious symptoms, but many STIs cause no symptoms or only mild symptoms - so you might not know you have an infection.


If you do have symptoms, they may appear right away, or they might not show up for weeks or even months. They might come and go. Even if the symptoms disappear, you may still have an STI. A test from your healthcare provider may be the only way to tell if you are infected.


Get tested if:


  • You've had  sex with a new partner without using a condom (external or internal/female condom or dental dams).
  • If you or your sexual partner have had sex with someone else without using a condom. 
  • If the person you have sex with has any symptoms.

Possible symptoms of STIs:
In people with a vagina In people with a penis
Any discharge from your vagina that smells or is yellow or green. Any discharge from your penis.
Bleeding between periods. Pain in your testicles.
Bleeding during or after sex that is not your period. Pain when peeing.
Pain during sex. Itching or burning or pain around your genitals.
Pain in your lower tummy/abdomen. Blisters, sores, spots or lumps around your genitals.
Pain when peeing.
Itching or burning or pain around your genitals.
Blisters, sores, spots or lumps around your genitals.


Note: External genitalia is commonly referred to as the ‘vagina’, although the correct term is actually the vulva.


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