Midwifery and Womens Health

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

A Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) or Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) is usually a sexually transmitted disease. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites that cause sexually transmitted infections can spread from person to person through blood, semen, vagina, and other body fluids. Sometimes these infections can be transmitted non-sexually from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth through blood transfusions or needle sharing. STDs can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Examples include gonorrhoea, genital herpes, Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV), HIV/AIDS, chlamydia and syphilis, pubic lice (or crabs), and trichomoniasis. Other less common sexually transmitted diseases are pituitary gland, lymph granuloma, inguinal granuloma, contagious molluscs, and scabies. Signs and symptoms that may indicate a sexually transmitted disease: Ulcers or bumps on the genitals, mouth, or rectum, pain or burning when urinating, penile discharge, abnormal or smelly vaginal discharge and  bleeding, pain during intercourse, especially enlarged inguinal lymph nodes, but sometimes worse broadly.

Related Societies/ Associations: Medical Oncology Group of Australia | The Endocrine Society of Australia | Federation of Swiss Women's Associations | International Caesarean Awareness Network | Canadian Association of Midwives | Human Genetics Society of Australasia |