No symptoms? Even if you don’t have symptoms, it could still be an STI.
April 30, 2025
Sexually transmited infections (STIs), also known as sexually transmissible diseases (STDs), can spread from person to person, most commonly during vaginal or anal sex. When most people think about STIs, they picture warts, bumps, or sores. They also imagine pain or irritation when peeing or itchiness in the genital region. Did you know the most common STI symptom was…no symptoms at all?
No Symptoms but Still an STI
It is true! Like any other infection, an STI can affect different people. STIs can often be silent. It may take days, weeks, or even months for symptoms to show up. You may not even know you have an STI if there are no symptoms. STIs are fairly common. They are similar to other infections, despite the stigma and anxiety that surrounds them. It’s not the end of world to get an STI. We have medicines that can treat it. What Should You Do?
Testing is the best method to detect asymptomatic STIs (STIs without symptoms). Regular testing is important, even if no symptoms are present. This way, you can catch an STI that isn’t showing symptoms and prevent it from getting worse (or being passed to others) by pursuing any recommended treatment.
Depending on how sexually active you are, “regular testing” can look like anything from once every three months to once a year. Testing is usually quick, simple, and low-cost. You can find a testing center near you here.
Treatable and Often Curable
Getting tested is not as intimidating as you might think. All STIs can be treated and most are curable. Those that are viral are not currently curable, but it’s still important to identify if you have one, in order to get treated and prevent any complications or transmission to others.
To learn more about the STI testing experience from a teen’s perspective, check out this story.
Wrapping it Up
So, in a nutshell: don’t be scared to get tested! If you are diagnosed with an STI and seek medical attention, the treatment is relatively simple. Regular testing can help you catch asymptomatic STIs before they cause a problem.
