ABSTRACT
Sexually transmitted diseases are common and, if inadequately treated, can have serious long-term sequelae. In women, these may include pelvic pain, infertility and ectopic pregnancy; men may develop arthropathy or iritis. This chapter describes the common presentations in men and women separately. Women often present with vaginal discharge. Anaerobic vaginosis may be implicated in premature labour. Chlamydia should be considered in women with vaginal discharge, intermenstrual or post-coital bleeding, dyspareunia, dysmenorrhoea/ menorrhagia or pelvic pain. Gonorrhoea is not often seen in general practice, but it can cause severe acute pelvic inflammatory disease with purulent cervical discharge and severe dysuria. Genitourinary medicine GUM clinics check all attending patients for syphilis serology. Men are much more likely to go to a GUM clinic than a GP if they notice urethral discharge or dysuria; it is also usually relatively easy to persuade men to attend a GUM clinic.
