Peachtree Gynecology - Patient Education

COMMON STDs and STIs:

Bacterial vaginosis (BV)

BV is a condition caused by an imbalance of the bacteria that normally live in the vagina. Symptoms may include vaginal discharge, foul odor, pain, itching, or burning, but many women have no symptoms. BV can be treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, it can cause babies to be born prematurely in pregnant women. It also can spread to a woman’s internal reproductive organs (ovaries and fallopian tubes) where it causes pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to infertility (making it difficult or impossible to become pregnant).

Chancroid

This STD is caused by specific bacteria. Symptoms may include genital sores, vaginal discharge, a burning feeling when urinating, and swollen lymph nodes in the groin. It can be spread by vaginal or anal sex or skin-to-skin contact with sores. Chancroid can be treated with antibiotics.