STIs

 STI Top 7 in the Netherlands

Sometimes you can have an STI but have very few, vague or no noticeable symptoms. Women in particular often do not notice when they have an STI.

Some people may experience discomfort or pain in the genital areas. If there are complaints, they usually involve:

• Discharge or pus coming from the penis, vagina or rectum (anus). There is often more discharge than usual. The discharge may be watery, milky, have a yellowish or greenish colour and smell different;
• A burning sensation, irritation, pain during or after urination or frequently having to pass small amounts of urine;
• Ulcers, warts, blisters or lesions on the penis, vagina, rectum or in the mouth;
• Itch in the pubic hair, on the tip of the penis, vulva or rectum;
• Swollen glands in the groin;
• Pain in one or both testicles or epididymis;
• Pain in the lower abdomen;
• Pain during sex;
• Irregular or abnormal loss of blood - for example, after sex or in between two periods.

These complaints can also be symptoms of other infections. Go to your doctor so you can know for sure and get treatment in time to avoid further complications.
                                                                                
Do you have any symptoms? Or do you think you might have been exposed to unsafe sex? It is important to have yourself tested as soon as possible. For assistance, you can go to: your general practitioner (GP, huisarts in Dutch), the GGD or the AIDS STI Help Line (0900 20420440 (10 ct/min); Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 10:00-20:00. Thursday, Friday: 14:00-20:00. Mail: infolijn@soaaids.nl (answer within 2 days). You can also chat with the help line on MSN.