SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES IN WOMEN

Gonorrhea and chlamydia are bacterial sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) frequently found together. Gonorrhea is NOT transmitted from toilet seats. Women infected with it may not have any symptoms but can end up later with severe pelvic infection. Early syphilis causes a mouth or genital ulcer (chancre) and later can cause hair loss, headaches, sore throat, and skin rash. Even later, syphilis can lead to heart and brain damage. Genital herpes is a viral infection that can cause painful genital sores. Genital warts are caused by viruses and can increase a woman’s risk for cancer of the cervix. AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Hepatitis B is a virus that causes liver inflammation and can lead to cirrhosis and cancer of the liver. Hepatitis B can now be prevented with a vaccine. There is no "safe" sex. Condoms do not necessarily prevent STDs.