8 Types of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Men & Signs and Symptoms To Visit A Health Clinic

What Are Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)?

STIs or Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that are passed on from one person to the other during sexual contact.

There are many types of viral sexually transmitted infections amongst Malaysian men.

It is typically passed from one person to another through vaginal, oral, and anal sex through the spread of intimate skin to skin contact.

STDs don’t always cause symptoms, and sometimes they may only cause very mild symptoms. Therefore, it is possible to have an infection and not know it.

How Are Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Diagnosed?

If you are sexually active, you should talk to your doctor about your risk for STIs and whether you need to be tested. 

Some STIs may be diagnosed during a physical exam or through STI testing which might involve a microscopic examination of a sore or fluid swabbed from the vagina, penis, or anus.

Blood tests can also help to diagnose other types of STIs.

Can Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Be Prevented?

Yes, you can lower your risk of getting an STI by:

• Getting you and your partner tested for STIs first before having sex.
  
  
• Using a condom every time you have sex. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces the possibility of contracting STI, but it does not completely eliminate the risk of catching it.
  
  
• Reducing your number of sex partners. You might even consider “mutual monogamy” with just one partner.
  
  
• Getting vaccinated against HPV and Hepatitis B.
  
  

Most Common Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Men

1. Abnormal penile discharge
   

   Any kind of discharge could be a sign of an STI, especially chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
   
   

2. Pain During Urination
   

   Pain during urination is a common symptom of STD’s that infect the urinary tract. Stinging, burning and itching sensations can occur. This may also include the need to urinate more frequently.
   
   

3. Lumps, Bumps and Lesions
   

   Blisters or sores in the genital area, mouth or anus, swollen lymph nodes in the groin, ulcers and rash on the penis and skin growth are all possible signs of and STD infection.
   
   

4. Swollen and painful testicles

   Inflammation and swelling of the testicles can be caused by STDs such as gonorrhoea or chlamydia. There may also be pain and a sensation of heaviness.

8 Types of Viral Sexually Transmitted Infections Amongst Malaysian Men

Let’s start off with the 8 most common STDs or STIs to look out for:

1. Chlamydia
   

   Chlamydia is a viral bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) that usually spreads through unprotected vaginal, oral, and anal sex.

   Most people with chlamydia don’t have symptoms, which means you may not know if you or your partner has it.

   If you do have symptoms such as painful urination or penile discharge, best to visit a men’s health clinic near you.
   
   

2. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1 & 2
   

   Herpes Simplex is a viral disease and there are two types of HSV, and the warning signs and symptoms that men should pay attention to.

   Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes oral herpes, which usually affects the mouth and surrounding skin but can also affect the genital region.

   There is no cure for HSV but it can be managed with oral antiviral medication.

   Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) typically causes genital herpes, and it is usually sexually transmitted.
   
   

3. HPV

   Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world (and not just in Malaysia).

   There are over 100 types of HPV and it is divided into High Risk and Low Risk Types. High risk strains can cause penile, throat and anal cancer but this is uncommon.

   Low risk strains can cause genital warts on the penis, scrotum, inguinal region, throat, and anus. Genital warts can be removed with topical agents, freezing or Radio frequency laser removal.

   If you suspect you might have HPV, you can visit our clinic today to get some HPV vaccine treatment and injection at our clinic today.

   Or if you’d like to find out about our HPV vaccine and treatment prices, you can call us here to find out more before visiting us in-person.
   
   

4. Gonorrhoea
   

   Gonorrhoea is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects both men and women.

   Men are at higher risk of getting gonorrhoea than women, and they also tend to experience more severe symptoms than women but sometimes they may not experience any symptoms.

   The most common symptoms of gonorrhoea in men include:

   • Urethral discharge
     
     
   • Painful urination
     
     
   • Painful ejaculation
     
     
   • Rectal symptoms
     
     
   • Swollen or tender testicles
     
     

5. HIV
   

   HIV or human immunodeficiency virus is a virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

   It is transmitted mainly through sexual intercourse, mother to baby during pregnancy or birth and lastly via blood exposure (blood splashed onto mouth, eyes, face or needle-stick injury).

   HIV symptoms in the early stages of the infection 2-4 weeks, mimic almost the same symptoms as a flu.

   Some people in fact also describe this as the worst flu they have ever experienced.

   Commonly experienced symptoms include body aches and pain, lethargy, swollen glands, ulcers and sore throats, rashes and even fever chills and night sweats.
   
   

6. Ureaplasma
   

   Ureaplasma is caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum bacteria. It can affect both men and women.

   Males with ureaplasma bacteria could experience the following symptoms such as a painful, burning sensation when urinating and urethral discharge.

   This is similar to other bacterial infections, it can be treated with oral antibiotics. If left untreated it can cause infertility.
   
   

7. Syphilis
   

   Syphilis is a bacteria STI that can cause painless ulcers in the anal and genital regions and rashes on the body, palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

   However, it is important to note that approximately 50% of people infected have no symptoms.

   Syphilis has 4 stages: primary, secondary, latent (hidden), and tertiary (late) and is treated with intramuscular antibiotics.
   
   

8. Mycoplasma

   Mycoplasma is a sexually transmitted infection that infects predominately the urethra and is contracted by having unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with someone else who has the STI.

   Unfortunately, due to it often presenting no symptoms, many people are unaware that they have the condition allowing it to spread easily.

   In men M. genitalium infection causes urethritis (infection of the urethra, the urinary canal leading from the bladder to exit at the tip of the penis).

   Symptoms may include watery discharge from the penis and burning sensation in the penis when urinating.
   
   

So, what do you do if you get one of the symptoms described above? Where do you go?

Many men are reluctant to seek treatment due to the sensitivity of the issue. Some try to treat the issue at home with traditional remedies. Is it possible to treat STD at home? The simple answer is no.

You should always visit a professional doctor or a men’s health clinic instead because if the infection is not treated properly it can lead to complications.

Knowing what to look out for can help you address STDs before they cause long-term harm to the individual or spread within a community.

How Our Men’s Health Clinic Can Help You

Most insurance does not cover for STD testing or treatment and the cost of visiting a Men’s health clinic can vary depending on the type of test and treatment needed.

That’s why at Universal Clinic, we take pride in offering all Malaysian men affordable treatment that is specially tailored to your needs.

We even have a 0% interest free installment payment plan.

We take pride in providing STD education and information as the leading men’s health clinic in Malaysia.

Visit our clinic today for STD checks and treatment. We offer specialised STI or STD treatments such as:

• HPV wart removal
  
  
• Herpes Simplex
  
  
• HPV suppression therapy
  
  
• Eradication therapy for all bacterial STD’S with specific antibiotics.

Come visit us here to know more about Universal Clinic’s STD treatment, and prevent the spread of these viral sexually transmitted infections from affecting your health and wellbeing.