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Cases of some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have reached an all-time high, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

From 2014 to 2015, there was a 6% increase in diagnosed cases of chlamydia and a 13% increase in gonorrhea.

The craziest part: The actual number of people with STDs is probably much higher than what the CDC is reporting, because many people have no clue they’re infected, the CDC says.

Read more: Thisguy discovered that too much drinking could give you an STD

That’s because STDs often show no noticeable symptoms.

“Sexually transmitted infections [STIs] are often called a ‘silent epidemic’ for the very reason that they don’t typically have outward signs,” says Debby Herbenick, PhD, MPH, a sex researcher at the University of Indiana.

This means that you could be infected and not even know it – and same goes for your partner.

These are four common STDs that might have already snuck up on you, and what you should do about it:

1. Sexually transmitted disease: gonorrhoea

This bacterial illness is spread through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex. As a result, it can cause infections in your genitals, rectum or throat.

Condoms are nearly 100% effective at preventing transmission of the disease, says Khalil Ghanem, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine and infectious disease at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. (Dental dams can be protective if you’re giving oral sex to a woman.)

Read more: 9 problems with your crown jewels you can prevent

Signs of gonorrhoea: Women often don’t have any symptoms, says Herbenick. And when they do, the signs are usually mild and may mimic a bladder infection – meaning she may not know she’s infected, and there’s no way for you to tell during sex.

As for guys: If the infection is in your throat or rectum, you probably won’t have any symptoms, says Dr Ghanem.

If the bacteria is targeting your penis, you may see a greenish or yellowish penile discharge or a burning sensation when you pee, Dr Ghanem says.

Testicular pain is another possibility, although it’s rare. These problems usually creep up three to five days after an exposure.

Left untreated, gonorrhoea can cause something called epididymitis, an inflammation of your testicles that may lead to infertility.

Read more: Are STDs a deal breaker?

How to detect gonorrhoea: The CDC recommends routine annual screenings for men. But ask your doctor what’s right for you, since it may depend on risk factors like how often you have new partners, says Herbenick.

How to treat gonorrhoea: The good news is that gonorrhoea can usually be cured with antibiotics.

But some gonorrhoea strains are resistant to antibiotics, so make sure to follow up with your doctor to make sure all the bacteria has been killed, says Herbenick.

2. Sexually transmitted disease: chlamydia

Chlamydia, another bacterial infection, is spread through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex, says Dr Ghanem.

As with gonorrhoea, condoms are nearly 100% effective at preventing the spread. And if you’re giving oral sex to a woman, dental dams can reduce your risk.

Signs of chlamydia: Chlamydia rarely has noticeable symptoms in either women or men, says Herbenick.

On the off chance you do show signs of infection, the symptoms could include a penile discharge or burning when you pee, says Dr Ghanem. These problems usually creep up about a week after an exposure.

Severe infections in men that are not treated quickly can cause scarring in your urethra, making it more difficult to pee – and it may even require surgery.

Read more: The 10 worst things that could happen to your penis

How to detect chlamydia: The CDC recommends annual screening for gay or bisexual men. However, straight men should ask their doctors about testing as well.

How to treat chlamydia: Chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics.

3. Sexually transmitted disease: herpes

Genital herpes is caused by two viruses: Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV1), which usually affects your mouth as cold sores, and herpes simplex type 2 (HSV2), which mainly targets your genitals.

Sexual contact can spread your partner’s oral herpes to your genitals or her genital herpes to your mouth. The virus can be spread even if you – or your partner – don’t have any signs of it.

Wearing condoms can help protect you, but not completely: They’re only 80% effective for preventing herpes transmission, says Dr Ghanem. That’s partly because the virus can live on parts of your skin that aren’t covered by the condom.

Signs of herpes: Up to 70% of people infected with the virus don’t have symptoms, Dr Ghanem says.

If you do, you may notice blisters or ulcers on your genitals, or just feel some burning and itching.

When first infected, some patients will develop fevers, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headaches and fatigue.

Read more: Protect Your junk from catching herpes. It’s more common than most guys realise

How to detect herpes: Have your doctor take a look at any suspicious sores.

How to treat herpes: There’s no cure for genital herpes, but antiviral drugs can ease your symptoms, according to the CDC.

4. Sexually transmitted disease: human papilloma virus (HPV)

HPV, which comprises more than 150 related viruses, is the most common STD, according to the CDC.

There are two main types: low risk, which usually only cause genital warts, and high risk, which can lead to penile, anal and cancers. You can catch it via intercourse, oral sex or even skin-to-skin contact during sex.

Using condoms during sex can help reduce, but not eliminate, your chances of infection, says Michael Krychman, MD, executive director of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health.

Signs of HPV: “HPV almost never has visible symptoms,” says Herbenick.

Most strains don’t cause warts, and when they do, they’re often tiny – not like the “scare photos” from your high school’s health class

Read more: 5 nasty contagious skin conditions you can pick up at the gym

How to detect HPV: Unfortunately, there are no currently recommended tests to detect HPV in men, Dr Ghanem says.

How to treat HPV: While warts can be frozen off, removing the lesion doesn’t cure your infection. The warts can recur and the infection can still be spread, Dr Ghanem explains.

That’s why vaccination – which is recommended for straight men through age 21, or men who have sex with men through age 26 – and wearing condoms is especially important to help reduce your risk, says Dr Krychman.

This article was originally featured on www.mh.co.za

Image credit: iStock

Staff working for NHS watchdogs facing the axe say they have been told not to embarrass the Welsh Government.

Finding a lump down there is one of the most terrifying things a guy can experience. But if the lump really is testicular cancer, catching it early could save your life.

Testicular cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer, but your chances of beating it drop if it spreads before it’s diagnosed.

Read more: 5 ways you can make your sperm stronger right now

For example, 99% of men with localised testicular cancer – meaning it hasn’t spread from the testis – survive more than five years.

But the rate drops to 74% once it spreads to distant organs, according to data from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program (SEER).

Here’s how to be proactive about your own testicular health.

Should you perform regular testicular self-exams?

Currently, the US Preventive Task Force recommends against routine testicular self-exams.

A big part of that is because they believe that guys might be unnecessarily stressed out by finding things on the self-exam that they think are harmful – but aren’t, says Dr Tobias Kohler, a spokesperson for the American Urological Association and an associate professor of urology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

It’s possible that parts of your testicular anatomy – say, your spermatic cord or epididymis, the tube that connects your testicle to your vas deferens – might feel bumpy enough to freak you out, but they are perfectly normal, says Dr Kohler.

Read more: 10 things you didn’t know about your penis (and balls)

At your next visit with your doctor, ask him or her to point them out to you so you know what they feel like.

Once you have these structures squared away, you should be able to pick up on any potentially problematic changes in your testicles, says Dr Kohler.

That’s why many urology experts still believe it’s smart to check your balls.

In fact, Dr Kohler and Men’s Health urology advisor Dr Larry Lipshultz, both recommend you examine your testicles once a month. Here’s how to get started.

How to perform a testicular self-exam

The best place to give your testicles a once-over is in the shower.

That’s because the warmth will relax your scrotum and make it easier for you to feel any abnormalities, says Dr Nicholas Cost, a urologist and assistant professor at the University of Colorado.

Start at the top of your left testicle. Hold it between your thumb and fingers of both hands and gently roll it between your fingers as you move down. Repeat on the right side.

Be on the lookout for any hard lumps, smooth or rounded bumps, or unusual changes in the size, shape and consistency of your testicle, Dr Cost says.

Read more: 8 signs you have low testosterone levels

You might not be able to feel a mass itself, but it could make your testicle feel very firm.

It can be scary to find something weird, but just know that not all irregularities you find on yourself exam point definitively to testicular cancer, says Dr Kohler.

For instance, if your testicles feel like what can only be described as a bag of worms, you might have varicoceles or enlarged veins in your testicles.

You may also find innocuous bumps that are just cysts or the result of a testicular torsion, which is a painful condition where your testicle gets twisted and swells up.

Only your doctor can know for sure, though. So if you notice a bump or lump that feels different, suddenly appears, or just worries you, schedule an appointment with your urologist right away.

This article was originally featured on www.mh.co.za

Image credits: iStock