When it comes to sexual education and disease prevention and awareness, many people in the United States are only aware of the most common and scary of the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that they could be infected with through unprotected sex.  However, the problem with this is that there are many different STDs that a person can contract when they are sexually active, many of which people have never even heard of, let alone know to get tested for if they begin to experience symptoms. Get to know more about some of the lesser known STDs so that you can be well-informed and know what to look out for.

Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)

Lymphogranuloma venereum, also known as LGV, is a sexually transmitted infection that occurs most commonly from rectal exposure, though in women it can also occur in the vagina. This is a bacterial infection that is transmitted through unprotected sex.

One of the biggest issues with lymphogranuloma venereum is that it can be difficult to diagnose. Sometimes, a person will have no noticeable surface-level symptoms. There may or may not be a sore or ulcer near the rectum or vagina, but it is often small and painless.

Other symptoms can include pain while urinating or defecating, constipation, pain in the lower back and pelvic area, and swollen lymph nodes, among others. All of these symptoms can be attributable to other infections, delaying diagnosis. However, it is important if you experience these symptoms within around 6 weeks of unprotected sex, to inform your doctor of this fact. This may speed diagnosis and get you the three weeks of antibiotics you need to clear up the infection before it gets worse.

Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is a highly contagious viral skin disease that is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. As such, it is commonly transmitted during sexual contact or intercourse, though it can be transmitted through touch in other forms of skin contact as well.

This viral infection is relatively minor and often manifests itself as a small skin rash with raised bumps or blisters that are tiny with white heads in the center. These hard white bumps can be far larger and more severe if a person has a compromised immune system (for example, if they have undergone chemotherapy or have HIV).

Generally speaking, a doctor will leave the viral infection to resolve itself as it will usually clear up on its own and causes little to no discomfort. However, if the lesions are large or uncomfortable, a doctor can surgically remove them. It is important, even if you don't get specific treatments for your molluscum contagiosum, for your doctor to diagnose it as it can lead to other infections that can be serious such as staphylococcus (staph) infections in the lesions.

Now that you know about a few of the less commonly known STDs, you know what to look out for and can talk to a doctor at an STD clinic at the first sign of something strange going on. The more you know, the better you can protect your health.