Sexually transmitted diseases or STDs, can be easily transmitted to and from men or women. STDs are not gender specific and usually causes similar symptoms in both sexes.
STDs in men and women can be transmitted through kissing, oral sex, vaginal sex, anal sex, touching and more.
Common Symptoms of STDs in Men
Generally if there are any abnormalities on your body, especially around your genital region, it is a good idea to seek some medical attention. Common STD symptoms include inflammation of the penis and scrotum, possibly with redness as well.
Discharge from the penis; especially if it has color to it, any sores or lesions on or around the genitalia area, and itching, burning, and pain around the crotch area.
All of the above are symptoms of a possible STD in men and need to be checked out by the doctor as soon as possible. If the STD is caught in time, it can be treated and the symptoms will begin to fade along with the pain and the signs of the STD.
Most STD in men are curable. Most STD in men just require some heavy duty antibiotics or antiviral medication and a good lesson learned to start using condoms during sex. But, not all sexually transmitted diseases can be cured. Some STDs are for life, such as herpes.
Male Genital Herpes
Genital herpes, also referred to as HSV-2 or Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2, is very painful for men and is actually the most common STDs in men. If a man has sexual relations with an infected person, there really isn’t much protection from contracting the virus yourself; especially if you don’t like to use condoms.
If you are allergic to latex condoms, don’t rely on the natural membrane condoms because they are very porous and the virus can still infect you. Once you are exposed to genital herpes that causes you to become infected and have an outbreak, then you have herpes for life.
Symptoms of Male Genital Herpes
Let’s break down some of the symptoms one-by-one. Keep in mind that symptoms vary from one person to the other, but generally everybody gets the majority of the common symptoms and some fortunate people have genital herpes, but never show any signs or symptoms. They may be fortunate, but the sexual partners they have aren’t. You can have herpes and not know it and pass it on to someone who in a few weeks will KNOW they have genital herpes.
Below are just some of the common male genital herpes symptoms:
- The herpes lesions and blisters are generally a dead giveaway, but for some, the lesions and blisters come “after” the other symptoms
- Fever and flu like symptoms (genital herpes is a virus, so you can expect the same virus types of symptoms to go along with your herpes outbreak
- Muscle aches and tiredness
- Pain with urination
- Red, inflamed penis and scrotum
- Pain around the rectal area
About a month after you have been sexually exposed to an infected person, you may begin to start having the above symptoms. You can also expect to start getting lesions around and on your genital area. These lesions will eventually turn into fluid filled blisters and are painful. Soon the blisters will ulcerate and scab over the herpes sores.
It is imperative that once you notice the signs and symptoms of a possible herpes outbreak that you see a doctor. If the doctor sees you while you have the fluid filled blisters, he can take a sample of that fluid, send it to the lab, and give you a definitive diagnosis of herpes or not herpes. Herpes blood tests are not very accurate, in fact, usually they only have a 50/50 chance of accuracy.
Herpes is the Most Common STD in Men
This common STD in men is one not to ignore. Studies show that one out of every four people in the United States has genital herpes. So, if you are a male with genital herpes, you are not alone and should not feel embarrassed, considering half a billion people in the US have genital herpes.
You do, however, need to refrain from sexual intercourse or sexual activity until you are in the remission stages of a herpes outbreak. When you are able to have sex again, you must tell your sexual partner that you have herpes and you must use a latex condom or an acceptable substitute so that she or he does not get infected.
Other Articles You Might Enjoy:
