What are the symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in women?
If you have symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI), it's important to be checked by a health professional soon after your symptoms start. STI symptoms in women include:
- A change in vaginal discharge (thicker, discolored, or bad-smelling) over a period of several days to 2 weeks.
- Pain, burning, or itching while urinating that lasts more than 24 hours.
- Pain during sexual intercourse.
- Pain or a feeling of heaviness in the pelvis or lower belly.
- Itching, tingling, burning, or pain on or around the genitals.
- Sores, lumps, blisters, rashes, or warts on or around the genitals or anus.
- Vaginal spotting or bleeding after sexual intercourse.
- General symptoms of an infection, such as fever and fatigue or lack of energy.
- Sores in the throat.
Many STI symptoms will go away or change quickly. This doesn't mean that the STI has gone away. It will be harder for your health professional to diagnose your STI after the symptoms have changed. A delay in being checked may lead to a more serious illness.
If you think you may have an STI, don't have sexual intercourse until after you see your doctor. Waiting to have sex will reduce the risk of giving the STI to your partner.