The most common signs of a sexually transmitted infection include unusual discharge, burning when you pee, genital itching, sores or bumps, pain during sex, bleeding between periods and symptoms that feel like the flu. The catch is that many STI symptoms are easy to mistake for something minor, and some infections cause no symptoms at all. That is how people carry an STI for months without knowing it and pass it on.
Health experts at Nebraska Medicine warn that untreated STIs can lead to infertility, chronic pain and pelvic inflammatory disease, also known as PID. Knowing the quiet signs is the first step to protecting yourself.
What are the 7 most common STI symptoms?
- Discharge that looks or smells different. A change in color, thickness, amount or odor from the vagina or penis is one of the most common signs of an STI. Miami gynecologist Dr. Rafael J. Perez advises against covering up odor with store-bought products, because they can hide an infection and delay treatment.
- Burning when you pee. Alyssa Fischer, a certified nurse midwife at Nebraska Medicine, says a burning feeling during urination can point to chlamydia or gonorrhea. It may also come with needing to go more often or more urgently. Many people assume it is a urinary tract infection and never get tested for anything else.
- Itching or irritation that won’t go away. Constant itching in the genital area can be a sign of genital herpes or another STI. Perez notes that it is easy to dismiss as a stubborn yeast infection, which is exactly how STIs go unnoticed.
- Sores, bumps or blisters. Blisters or sores on the genitals or around the mouth can signal herpes or syphilis. Even if they do not hurt, they need to be checked by a provider.
- Pain during sex or in your lower belly. Pain during intercourse can be linked to chlamydia, gonorrhea or trichomoniasis. Ongoing pain in the pelvis, stomach or lower back can mean an infection has spread, which raises the risk of PID.
- Bleeding between periods or after sex. Spotting between periods, bleeding after sex or a cycle that suddenly becomes heavier or more painful are all signs to take seriously, according to both Perez and Fischer.
- Feeling like you have the flu. Some STIs, including HIV, can cause fever, chills, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes early on. Because these feel like a regular virus, this is one of the easiest signs to miss.
Can you have an STI with no symptoms?
Yes. Health for Teens, a youth health site from the U.K.’s school nursing services, lists having no symptoms at all as one of the key signs of an STI. Someone can carry an infection and pass it on without ever feeling sick. Nebraska Medicine also notes that many STIs go unnoticed in their early stages. Testing is the only way to know for sure.
Why do STIs hit Black communities harder?
The numbers have been clear for years. In 2023, 32.4% of all cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and primary and secondary syphilis were among Black Americans, even though they made up only 12.6% of the U.S. population. The CDC points to limited access to quality health care, gaps in sex education, racism and economic challenges as key drivers.
Stigma plays a role too. In many families, sex is still not something people talk about openly, and a quiet symptom can become a serious problem. There is also a newer concern. Although reported STIs fell 9% in 2024, congenital syphilis rose for the 12th year in a row, reaching nearly 4,000 cases. Changes to federal data systems, including fewer analyses by race and ethnicity, may make it harder to see where disparities are growing.
When should you get tested for an STI?
Get tested if you notice any of these signs, have a new partner or have had sex without a condom. Regular screening matters even if you feel fine. Condoms lower the risk of most STIs. The good news is that most STIs can be treated or managed, and catching them early is easier, faster and safer.
If something feels off, do not wait for it to get worse. Make the appointment.
