Hey there, fabulous ladies of the St. Louis/Metro East area! Let’s have a heart-to-heart about something super important: taking care of your sexual health. We all know how crazy life can get, with school, work, social lives, and everything in between. Still, making time to prioritize your well-being is crucial. But as a local women’s health center, we know that lots of women have questions about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), why testing and treatment is so important, and what to do if you think you might have been exposed to an STI.
One super common question is “What’s the most likely STD to get?” Let’s dive into this, so you can get the answers you need.
The Lowdown on Common STDs: What’s the Most Likely STD to Get?
First off, any sexually active person (or person who has been sexually active in the past) can have an STD (also called STIs, or sexually transmitted infections). Millions of new infections happen every year in the USA, and many people don’t even know that they have an STI.1
STIs are infections caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungus that are transmitted through sexual contact. There are dozens of STIs out there,1 and different infections are more prevalent in different areas of the country and world. So the most likely STI to get can depend on where you’re located and current infection rates.
But here in the U.S. (and particularly in the STL/Metro East), the most common STIs include HPV, chlamydia, trichomoniasis (or “trich”), gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV. Let’s talk about these common infections and get you the info you need to protect and keep yourself healthy.
1. HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
In 2023, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) says there were 42 million reported cases of HPV in the US. It’s one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, and almost everyone will get HPV at some point in their lives. There are different types of HPV, all spread through skin-to-skin contact — including vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. Most warts go away on their own, but there are some strains that can cause genital warts, cervical cancer, or cancers of the vagina, vulva, anus, or back of the throat.2 Many people with HPV never develop symptoms or health problems, which is why it’s so important to stay on your annual Pap tests with your regular doctor. Learn more about why Pap exams matter!
2. Chlamydia
What’s the most likely STD to get? Here in the STL/Metro East, chlamydia is a big one. With 1.6 million reported cases in the US 20233 (and 71,909 cases reported in St. Louis City alone in 2024),4 chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. This infection is caused by bacteria, and it might only show mild symptoms (or no symptoms at all!).5 When it shows symptoms, they might include abnormal vaginal discharge, pain or burning when you pee, or bleeding between periods. If it’s left untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious issues down the road, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause infertility or ectopic pregnancy.6 But the good news is that it’s easily treatable with antibiotics, and finding and treating it early can prevent damage to a woman’s body. In a pregnant woman, chlamydia can also spread to the baby during delivery.7
3. Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is another super common sexually transmitted infection. It’s caused by a parasite that’s too tiny to see without a microscope. Many women don’t even know that they have it. It often doesn’t show any symptoms. But when it does, women might notice itching, burning, redness, or soreness of the genitals, unusual discharge with a fishy smell, or discomfort while peeing. Trichomoniasis is easily treatable with a single dose of prescribed medication. But if it’s not treated, trich can increase the risk of getting other STIs, including HIV.8
4. Gonorrhea
Wondering “What’s the most likely STD to get?” With 600,000 nationwide cases in 2023,4 gonorrhea is more common than you might think. It’s a bacterial infection that can have effects on the reproductive tract — but can also affect the mouth, throat, eyes, rectum, and even the joints (like the knees).5 Symptoms in women might include thick, cloudy, or blood discharge from the vagina, painful urination, and heavy periods/bleeding between periods, but many women have no symptoms at all. Like chlamydia, gonorrhea can be cured with the right antibiotics, but it’s really important to catch it early to avoid lasting damage to the reproductive organs, like PID.6
5. Syphilis
There were over 200,000 cases of syphilis reported in the USA 2023.3 Syphilis is also a bacterial infection, and can be treated with just one shot of antibiotics! The tricky thing about syphilis is that it progresses in stages, each with different symptoms. A person can be infected without noticing any symptoms for many years. The first stage usually involves a painless sore, called a chancre, which appears at the site of infection. The second stage can lead to skin rashes, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. If it’s not treated, it can “go silent” but eventually cause serious health problems affecting the heart, brain, and other organs.9
6. HIV
What’s the most likely STD to get? With almost 32,000 new cases reported in the USA in 2022, let’s finish out the list with HIV. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) attacks the immune system and can lead to AIDS (a life-threatening disease) if it’s not treated. There’s no cure for HIV, but with proper treatment, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives. Like other STIs, getting tested is the only way to know whether you have HIV.10
Anyone Can Contract a Sexually Transmitted Infection
Remember, anyone who’s been sexually active can contract an STD, and the only way to prevent infections 100% is not to have sexual contact (including any vaginal, anal, or oral sex). Even using protection (like a condom) isn’t foolproof. It’s so important to protect yourself and your partners by knowing your status and taking control of your sexual health with empowering decisions. Many women are deciding to protect their health and future plans by delaying sex until they’re in a committed, long-term, monogamous relationship.
When it comes to protecting yourself, knowledge is power. Knowing your status and making confident choices are key to maintaining your overall well-being.
Wondering “What’s the Most Likely STD to Get?” ThriVe Metro East Has Your Back
Here at Thrive Metro East, we believe that every woman deserves great health. We offer no-cost STD testing so that you can get checked out without worrying about the cost. We’re a safe, confidential, no-judgment space. Our screenings include tests for those super common STIs we just talked about — including chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, and HIV.
We’re here for you to ask questions, empower yourself with information, and get the care you need. And if the results are positive and you need treatment, we can often provide no or low-cost options to make sure you’re covered. Our team of licensed medical professionals are here to support you every step of the way, so that you have access to the resources and information you need. You can feel confident that you’re receiving compassionate, comprehensive care.
Take Charge of Your Health
If you’ve had the question “What’s the most likely STD to get?” weighing on your mind because you’ve been sexually active, we’re here for you. Make an appointment with ThriVe Metro East today for your no-cost screening. It’s a simple step towards making sure you’re healthy and happy. You deserve to feel your best, and getting tested is a fantastic way to stay on top of your game. You’ve got this, girl! 💪💖
Empower yourself and encourage your friends to do the same. Share this info, start conversations, and let’s all work together to keep our community healthy and informed. By prioritizing your sexual health, you’re taking control of your future and setting a positive example for others. Remember, taking care of yourself is a form of self-love, and it’s one of the most important things you can do for yourself.
Sources:
1 https://www.cdc.gov/sti/about/index.html
2 https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/about/index.html
3 https://www.cdc.gov/sti-statistics/annual/summary.html
4 https://health.mo.gov/data/hivstdaids/dashboard-sti.php
5https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/in-depth/std-symptoms/art-20047081
6https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
7 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chlamydia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355349
8 https://www.cdc.gov/trichomoniasis/about/index.html
9 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/syphilis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351756
10 https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/about/index.html
