Signs and symptoms of STIs

Many STIs have similar symptoms. Some don't have any at all. So dont even think about diagnosing or treating yourself without talking to someone who is trained.

Keep an eye open for tell-tale signs and be ready to ask for advice and help if you need to. If you're at all worried, it might even be a good idea to have a check-up anyway just to be sure you're in the clear. If you want to talk to someone, you can always contact Ask Brook on 0808 802 1234. Your call will be confidential. That means we won't tell anyone about it.

You can find out about the particular symptoms of individual STIs in the Types of STIs section on this site, but to help you, here are some common symptoms to look out for...

Men

• Discharge from the penis
• Sore, tender or inflamed penis head
• Testicle ache or pain

Women

• Unusual vaginal discharge - a change in texture or colour
• Bleeding in between periods
• Sore, tender or inflamed vulva

Men or women

• Stinging sensation when you urinate
• Itching, blisters or sores in the genital region. Also the mouth.
• Pain during sex
• Anal discharge or itching
• Feverish, flu-like symptoms with any of the above

Remember, some STIs don't have any symptoms at all. But if anything in this list does ring alarm bells, or someone you've slept with tells you they have an STI, or if you're worried you might have taken a risk, get yourself checked out immediately.