Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs for short, are a common health concern that many women in Singapore face, even if we don’t always talk about them openly. These infections can sneak into our bodies through sexual contact, hiding in fluids like blood, semen, or vaginal secretions. The tricky part? STIs don’t always wave a red flag to let us know they’re there. You could catch one from someone who looks perfectly healthy and doesn’t even know they’re carrying an infection.
That’s why it is so important for us to be aware of the signs our bodies might be trying to show us. It is by knowing what to look out for that we can catch these early and treat them before things get worse.
Common STIs in Singapore
There are various kinds of STIs and each of these can impact a person’s short- and long-term health, including fertility.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is known as a silent disease because its early symptoms often go unnoticed. It is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, and this STI affects both men and women. The modes of transmission can be via vaginal, anal or oral intercourse.
Herpes Simplex Virus
It is also known as genital herpes. Genital herpes also affects both sexes, and the virus primarily spreads through sexual contact. There are two types of HSV infections that can cause this STI.
HSV-1 which often spreads through physical contact (e.g., cold sores or blisters around the oral cavity) and to the genitalia through oral sex. HSV-2, on the other hand, can be spread through physical and sexual contact, whether or not the infected individual has an open sore. It’s common and highly contagious.
HIV and AIDS
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which weakens one’s body’s immune defences by destroying the white blood cells that safeguard us from pathogenic attacks. The result is that our body can no longer defend our bodies from infections.
If a person does not seek treatment for HIV early, their immune system will be compromised and the disease will progress to AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (the most advanced stage of HIV).
HPV
HPV or Human Papillomavirus is another common virus that can infect many body parts in both sexes. Among the 100+ types of HPV, about 40 can infect the genitalia. The high-risk types of HPV are associated with three types of cancer in women (cervical, vaginal, and vulvar) and anal/penile cancer in men (less commonly).
The low-risk types may be asymptomatic or lead to the formation of genital warts.
Gonorrhoea
It is an infectious disease that is caused by a bacterium that thrives in warm and moist areas of the body. It can be in the genital tract, mouth, or anus. This STI is curable with antibiotics and can cause serious problems if neglected.
MPOX
MPOX, previously known as monkeypox, is an infectious viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can be transmitted to humans skin-to-skin from someone who is infectious, with infected animals, or through already-contaminated materials.
People at risk can prevent this by avoiding physical contact and through vaccination.
NGU
NGU or non-gonococcal urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra that is not caused by gonorrhoea. It is often an STI, but it can also result from non-sexual causes like urethral trauma.
Some common causes of NGU are chlamydia trachomatis and herpes simplex virus. Non-infectious causes may be from mechanical injury or exposure to irritating chemicals.
Syphilis
Syphilis is an STI that is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum and is primarily spread through sexual contact. Another mode of transmission is when the infection is passed down from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy. Detecting it early and antibiotic treatment are the keys to fully recovering from this infection.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that’s transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids such as blood, semen, and vaginal fluids.
Signs and Symptoms of STIs in Females
Some STIs can be asymptomatic, while many infections come with noticeable signs. Here are the signs and symptoms of STIs in females that you should know.
A. Urinary Symptoms
The following symptoms may indicate chlamydia, gonorrhoea, or non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU).
- Painful or burning sensation during urination
- Increased frequency or urgency of urination
- Abnormal urine colour or strong odour
B. Vaginal Discharge
Abnormal discharge can be a sign of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, or trichomoniasis.
- Changes in colour, consistency, or amount of discharge
- Foul-smelling discharge
C. Genital Sores or Lesions
The following signs could indicate herpes simplex virus (genital herpes), syphilis, or HPV (genital warts).
- Painful or painless sores, blisters, or ulcers on or around the genitals, anus, or mouth
- Warts or growths in the genital or anal area
D. Skin Rashes
A rash can be a symptom of secondary syphilis or, in rare cases, acute HIV infection.
- Rash on palms of hands or soles of feet
- Widespread rash on the body
E. Pelvic or Abdominal Pain
These symptoms may be associated with chlamydia, gonorrhoea, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- Lower abdominal pain
- Pain during sexual intercourse
F. Irregular Bleeding
This can occur with chlamydia or gonorrhoea infections.
- Bleeding between periods
- Heavier or more painful periods
- Bleeding after sexual intercourse
G. Flu-like Symptoms
These symptoms can be associated with acute HIV infection, hepatitis B, or syphilis.
- Fever, chills, or night sweats
- Fatigue
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Muscle aches
H. Specific Symptoms for MPOX
- Fever and intense headache
- Swelling of lymph nodes
- Back pain and muscle aches
- Distinctive skin rash, often beginning on the face and spreading to other body parts
I. Symptoms of Hepatitis B
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
- Dark urine
- Extreme fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
You should note that many of the mentioned symptoms may be caused by other health conditions. And some STIs, as stated, may not exhibit symptoms. This is why regular STI screenings are important, more if you are sexually active with multiple partners or have engaged in unprotected sex.
Asymptomatic STIs
Some asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections include chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and HPV. Their risks are that they can spread to sexual partners without being detected and progress to more severe health complications when they’re left untreated, such as the following.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Infertility
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Increased risk of ectopic pregnancy
- In the case of HPV, increased risk of cervical cancer
Absence of symptoms is not equal to absence of infection. It’s best to get yourself regularly checked, as it is the only reliable way to detect STIs.
When to Seek Medical Help
There are many instances of when you should see a doctor, aside from the symptoms discussed above. Here are the situations when you should go and visit your doctor.
After Unprotected Sexual Contact
If you have had unprotected sex, whether vaginal, anal or oral, with a new partner or someone whose STI status is unknown, it is advisable to get tested.
Regular Check-ups
Even if you’re asymptomatic, consider getting tested,
- Annually if you are sexually active and under 25
- Every 3-6 months if you have multiple sexual partners
- Before starting a new sexual relationship
Partner Notification
If an old or your current sexual partner informs you that they have been diagnosed with an STI, you should get tested right away. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear.
After Sexual Assault
In case you have experienced sexual assault, seek immediate medical care (both physical and emotional support).
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, one way to care for your future baby is to screen for STIs.
HIV Exposure Risk
If you believe you have been exposed to HIV, visit your doctor. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) or taking HIV medicines after a possible exposure can be effective if it’s started within 72 hours of exposure.
Persistent or Worsening Symptoms
If you have been treated for an STI but the symptoms persist or worsen, then you need to follow up with your healthcare provider.
General Concern
If you have concerns about your sexual health even if they seem minor, it’s always better to consult a medical professional to have peace of mind. Don’t use “I feel fine” as an excuse to skip testing. Always be on the safe side.
STI Testing and Treatment
There are numerous testing facilities in Singapore that help individuals access the care they need discreetly and efficiently.
- Polyclinics
- Public hospitals
- Private clinics
- Department of Sexually Transmitted Infections Control (DSC) Clinic
- Anonymous testing facilities
They provide various testing procedures to accurately diagnose infections, including physical examination, urine test, blood test, swab test, and Pap smear.
Treatment
After knowing the STI symptoms, you should also learn about the treatment of STIs to be well-informed, as there are two kinds of infections: bacterial and viral.
Bacterial STIs (like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis) are often curable if they are promptly treated, especially if the bacterial strain has not become antibiotic-resistant.
On the other hand, many viral STIs are not curable but they can be managed well with treatment.
- Herpes’s symptoms can be managed through antiviral medications
- Antiretroviral therapy or ART manages HIV infection
- For HPV, treatments are available for genital warts and regular screenings can detect cervical changes
Prevention Services
- HPV and Hepatitis B vaccinations are available at various healthcare facilities.
- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV is available for individuals at high risk of this infection.
- Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is available for potential HIV exposure if accessed within 72 hours.
Conclusion
As a woman, there are other areas of concern that you should also tackle head-to-head. Women’s health is not only limited to gynaecological and pregnancy concerns. It is a must that you also discuss sexual health with a women’s health clinic in Singapore. A severe health complication of STIs is infertility, which means the world to many women.
Take a proactive step towards optimal health and get screened today! Make an appointment with us at WS Law Women’s Clinic and Laparoscopic Surgery Centre to learn about your status.
References
https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/gettingsupportstis