Complaints on your penis, vagina or anus

The skin around your penis, vagina or anus can sometimes feel itchy, red or irritated. You may notice this during urination, intercourse or even when you are just sitting or moving. Such an unpleasant feeling may come on suddenly.

But where does it come from? It could be an STI, but not always. Other causes are also possible. Consider an allergy, fungal infection or skin irritation from soap. Still, it's important not to rule out STIs, especially if you've had unprotected sex.

When is it an STI?

If you have sex without a condom, the greatest chance of contracting an STI is to get one. Some STIs cause symptoms such as itching, redness or a burning sensation around your genitals or anus.

For example, you may suffer from:

• Itching or irritation near your vagina, penis or anus
• Red skin around these spots
• Burning sensation when urinating or defecating
• Itching or irritation during sexual contact

These symptoms are not always serious, but they may indicate an STI. Therefore, it is good to know which STIs can cause them.

STIs that may cause irritation or itching

With these STIs, you may experience irritation, itching or red skin:

Around the vagina or penis

• Genital warts
• Fungal infection
• Genital Herpes
• Pubic lice
• Scab
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Trichomonas
• Mycoplasma Genitalum

Around the anus

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Herpes
• Pubic lice
• Scab

Sometimes you have several symptoms at the same time. For example, itching and pain when urinating. Or red spots and warts. This can help identify the cause.

What can you do?

Do you have these complaints? Then it's smart to contact us. We can properly assess what is going on.

You can also check yourself online to see if you have been at risk for an STI, such as through reliable websites like soaaids.nl. But a real test is the only way to know for sure if you have an STI.

Don't keep walking around with it

There is no need to be ashamed of your symptoms. Irritation or itching can happen to anyone. And the sooner you know what's going on, the sooner you can do something about it.

So get tested when in doubt. That way you avoid infecting others.