Think of it as evolved vaginal secretion theres a little bit of blood, uterine tissue, mucus lining, and bacteria. What STIs or STDs could affect my period? Also, when a girl is menstruating, she has a higher risk for developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) from gonorrhea or Chlamydia infections. "Period blood is the perfect petri dish for spreading disease," Dr. Ross said. However, this type of test would only indicate that you have been exposed at some point in the past, but doesnt indicate whether you have a current infection. Can a girl get pregnant if she has sex during her period? This can be obtained by a fingerprick. Bleeding does not mitigate the risk. It was a time of do-it-yourself websites and online magic that everyone wanted and either referred to it as SEO or pay-per-click (PPC). We would like to answer the most frequently asked questions about blood tests for STDs. Sexually transmitted disease STD symptoms, Advertising and sponsorship opportunities, Thick, cloudy or bloody discharge from the penis or vagina, Heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods, Clear, white, greenish or yellowish vaginal discharge, Swollen lymph nodes often one of the first signs of, Shaking chills or fever higher than 100.4 F (38 C) for several weeks, Swelling of lymph nodes for more than three months, Small red bumps, blisters (vesicles) or open sores (ulcers) in the genital and anal areas and areas nearby, Pain or itching around the genital area, buttocks and inner thighs, Small, flesh-colored or gray swellings in your genital area, Several warts close together that take on a cauliflower shape, Itching or discomfort in your genital area, Abdominal pain or discomfort, especially in the area of your liver on your right side beneath your lower ribs, Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice), Rash marked by red or reddish-brown, penny-sized sores over any area of your body, including your palms and soles, Fatigue and a vague feeling of discomfort. In most cases, testing involves taking a urine sample or a swab of the vagina, and they can test for a number of different infections all at once, so thankfully you dont need to do multiple tests. Can a man get an infection from period blood? However, there's no scientific evidence to back up this claim. It's safe to have sex during your period, but you need to practice safe sex. This is the same healthy and regulating bacteria that lives inside the vaginal canal during different parts of a woman's cycle. How will I know if I have one? If you are actively trying to avoid pregnancy, it's best to use a barrier method during period sex. STD testing can be quick, easy, and painless. For HPV, testing generally uses a swab of the cervix, which is the entrance to the uterus. Go slow and communicate to make sure you're both comfortable. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press. In some cases, the infection can be active and contagious even when sores aren't present. Read our, Sex and Periods: Other Things to Consider. You can also get an STD via skin to skin contact with an infected sore or open wound on the body, for example through sores on the genitals or mouth. Accessed April 13, 2020. Nemours Children's Health. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis can also be dangerous to contract when you're menstruating. Fact: During our cycle, our bodies get rid of blood and membrane that we no longer QHHG LQ RXU ERGLHV %XW menstrual blood is just like other blood from our body and is not dirty blood. Screening for HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and herpes can be performed by a blood test, while a urine test can be used to look for diseases like gonorrhea and chlamydia. You can catch an STD if you have sex during your period, and, in fact, you are putting yourself more at risk because of changes to your cervix that occur during your menstrual cycle. If you are HIV-positive, you can start getting treated, which can improve your health, prolong your life, and greatly lower your chance of spreading HIV to others. There is no scientific evidence that having sex makes a person's period lighter or stops the flow. If the sore has already healed, then a blood test is the only way to detect syphilis. You can get pregnant if you have during your period. Scented tampons and pads can irritate the vaginal tissue and reduce its pH balance. doi:10.1016/S2468-2667(19)30111-2. HIV is an infection with the human immunodeficiency virus. Period blood isnt rejected body fluids or the bodys way of flushing out toxins. Sex Relation Ther. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021). McGraw-Hill Education; 2016. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Planned Parenthood. Contact with menstrual blood carrying HIV or hepatitis can spread the virus. Sexual activity, health and well-beingthe beneficial roles of coitus and masturbation. However, if you think you may have an STD, you should not avoid being tested because of your period. About 50% of men and 70% of women who are infected do not have any symptoms. They can be found by a swab or urine test, or by a blood test. You can have without knowing it. The information provided herein does not constitute an expert or medical advice, norintended to replace such advice. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Therefore, you can conceive if you have a shorter than average menstrual cycle and begin ovulating shortly after your period. Reduced fertility. Gardnerella Vaginalis. Pap smear: Do I need one if I'm a virgin? The lowdown on how to prevent STDs. For Herpes please visit Herpes Community. What is viral hepatitis? Pelvic infection and STIs. Because of this, a blood test is not the right type of test for these diseases. STIs can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and sometimes by close skin-to-skin contact. Stevens DR, Vrana CJ, et al. By Andrea Chisholm, MD Besides understanding safe period sex practices, there are a few other things to consider. Does Mouthwash Reduce the Risk of Oral STIs? How Often to Change Tampons or Pads During Your Period, How to Use a Menstrual Cup: Insertion, Removal and Cleaning, What It Means When a Couple Is Fluid Bonded, Here's Why You Might Feel Weaker During Your Period. Get tested, and get back to the menstrual cycle you know and love - or at least know and tolerate! The virus may be present in menstrual blood. Infections can be passed from mouth to genitals, or vice versa. Its totally okay and normal to get tested for STDs at any point during your menstrual cycle, even on your heaviest days. You can learn more about at-home STD testing options at STDWatch.com. It is possible to do a blood test for antibodies to these diseases. Period sex is safe and can have benefits like reducing menstrual cramps and headaches and might even shorten your flow. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). When trichomoniasis causes symptoms, they may appear within five to 28 days of exposure and range from mild irritation to severe inflammation. When you visit your regular doctor for your annual checkup, you will often get some standard blood tests to screen for common health conditions. Your period won't affect the results. Gonorrhea. When it comes to safe period sex, it's all about preference. Which Kinds of STDs Can Be Tested For? Theres no HIV test that can accurately detect HIV in the body immediately after exposure. Yes, you can get tested for an STD whilst on your period. Can you get diseases from blood on toilet seat? Period sex is a phrase used to describe sexual activity that happens while at least one partner is menstruating, or on their period. The most common method is to use a urine sample, but many people wonder whether blood tests can also be used. Timely diagnosis and treatment is important to avoid or delay more-severe, potentially life-threatening health problems and to avoid infecting others. They include: Chlamydia Signs and symptoms, when present, may include lower abdominal pain, vaginal discharge, fever, burning with urination, pain with sex . This means if your results are negative when you get tested two weeks following exposure, you should get retested after 16 weeks. If you are not trying to get pregnant, make sure you are using contraception when you have sexeven if you're menstruating. For these STDs, a urine test or a swab test (of the vagina or the urethra) is the only way to look for the infection. Chlamydia can cause other symptoms, which according to the NHS can include: Similarly to chlamydia, gonorrhea is another STD that can cause bleeding between periods or after intercourse. By getting tested, you are taking care of your body by figuring out the cause of your irregular or missed periods, while also ensuring the infection doesnt spread to anyone else. Also, inform your partner or partners so that they can be evaluated and treated. Magowan BA, et al., eds. Gonorrhea is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and co-infection with chlamydia and gonorrhea is relatively common. The Center is an educational entity that exists to provide adolescents of all genders with carefully researched health information, health education programs, and community spaces. Changes in the vagina that happen during a period can actually make a person more vulnerable to infections. In other words, the only way to get an STD is from someone else. The researchers also found that on days estradiol was elevated, women reported less physical attraction to their partners, while men reported lower levels of sexual desire and perceived their partners as less interested in sex. Often, there may be no symptoms. Set up an appointment with your healthcare provider if you experience any unusual symptoms in the genital area or you suspect a sexual encounter was risky or condomless. A Global Review of HIV Self-testing: Themes and Implications. However, once blood is inserted into the mix, you are often looking at higher risks of fluid-transmitted STIs like Hepatitis and HIV than you would be otherwise. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of
If this is the case for you, get checked over by your GP to ensure HPV doesnt lead to long-term, more serious issues. Immunocore Reports 2022 Financial Results and Provides Business Update. Can a man be affected by a womans period? If you're worried about leakage, use a menstrual cup, contraceptive sponge,or tampon. Its crucial to practice safe sex while youre having your period because you could still get or transmit an STI, like HIV, during this time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You can also get sexually transmitted infections (STIs). So if youve ever wondered Can STDs cause spotting and bleeding?, just keep reading to find the answer. Every Checks are FDA-Approved/Cleared Early HIV signs and symptoms usually disappear within a week to a month and are often mistaken for those of another viral infection. In some cases, an untreated STD can make you bleed like a period, but it can also increase your typical menstrual flow or even cause bleeding after intercourse. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/symptoms-of-hiv. In most cases, the virus that causes herpes will enter into nerve cells and remain there for life. Pain or burning sensation when urinating. You can always find us and ask questions over at our Full Stop FB group, or reach out to us directly on Instagram at @itsyoppie. But theres one question that has proved hard to find, so we thought wed answer it right here on the Full Stop blog; could an STI or STD be the cause of your irregular or missed periods? Some people find that having sexual intercourse while they are on their period has benefits, like helping with period symptoms. There is no scientific evidence that having sex during menstruation is harmful to your health. Accessed April 13, 2020. If you think you have STI symptoms or have been exposed to an STI, see a doctor. Sexual activity, health and well-beingthe beneficial roles of coitus and masturbation. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. If you don't want to put anything in your vagina, you can also use a dental dama square piece of latex that can be purchased or made by cutting a condom. Yes, you can have sex on your period. Genital Herpes. One last thing Dont take for granted that your girlfriend wont get pregnant while she is on her period. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are all contagious viral infections that affect your liver. In some cases, it's not safe to have sex with someone who is on their period because they may transmit infections through their blood. HIV antibodies can be detectable in the blood two to six weeks after exposure but can take up to three months. Here's what you need to know about STIs and your period. However, there are also others that generally cant be found on a blood test. The most common symptoms of genital herpes is a group of itchy or painful blisters on your vagina, vulva, cervix, anus , penis, scrotum (balls), butt, or the inside of your thighs. If left untreated, it can cause long-term issues such as scarring of the fallopian tubes, fertility issues, chronic pelvic pain, and more. There are also some STDs that can be detected either way. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. - plannedparenthood.org, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) CDC Fact Sheet - cdc.gov, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - my.clevelandclinic.org, Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) - mayoclinic.org. 2017;14(1):71. doi:10.1186/s12978-017-0332-3. Period. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/abc/index.htm. What Causes Period Cramps So Bad You Cant Move? The virus must directly enter your bloodstream for infection to occur. include protected health information. Arielle has been working in product marketing at skincare and wellness brands since 2018. privacy practices. How you can prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Oral sex. During this time, your uterus becomes more exposed to bacteria and infectious diseases and can, therefore, contract an STD more easily. Jameson JL, et al., eds. The most common STDs spread through used needles include hepatitis A, B, and C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). An STD test involving a swab from the cervix is sometimes used to test for chlamydia or gonorrhea. If you engage in sexual behavior that could put you at risk for STDs, then your doctor may include testing for certain diseases along with your normal blood tests. While you may not be as likely to get pregnant if you have sex on your period, it's not impossible. Cephalalgia. Can You Get a Yeast Infection After Having Sex? 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