Recent studies show that women are more likely to get sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sometimes called STDs. They are diagnosed with them more often than men. Not only are they catching STIs more frequently, but they also have a harder time noticing when they have one.This is often because some STIs don’t show any symptoms.
Here’s The Reason
Based on female anatomy, women are more prone to getting STIs because of the thin lining of the vagina. Women have more blood vessels in their genitals and a long vaginal canal, which can make it easier for bacteria to travel to the uterus or fallopian tubes.
In addition, they have a larger mucosal surface area, can get tiny injuries (called microlesions)
during sex (especially in cases of rough sex), and there’s often more HIV in semen than in
vaginal fluids. These factors all contribute to women’s greater vulnerability to STIs and HIV.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and they often do not produce noticeable symptoms. As a result, many individuals remain undiagnosed. For women, this lack of symptoms can lead to an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease and permanent damage to the reproductive system. Additionally, Chlamydia has been linked to ectopic pregnancies, a dangerous condition in which a pregnancy develops outside the uterus.
Complications from STIs
- Pelvic inflammatory disease: Can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancies.
- Chronic pelvic pain: Can be caused by untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea.
- Infant death: Untreated syphilis in pregnant women can result in infant death up to 40% of the time.
Testing for STIs
Sexually active women should get tested annually for STIs, even if they aren’t showing any symptoms.
The good news is that early testing and treatment can help! We offer no-cost STI urine testing for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. Please make an appointment using the link above or call us at 513-321-3100.
- Please do not urinate 1 hour before the test.
- Tests will not detect infections from sexual activity less than 21 days from exposure.
If you are diagnosed with an STI, know that most can be treated with medicine, and some can be cured entirely.
Helpful Links
How Many People You’ve Been Sexually Exposed To
YouTube Short: What Are 5 Symptoms of an STI
Source: CDC
Posted on January 23, 2025 View the blog