From burning sensations when you urinate, to blisters and sores around the genitals, most STIs can be painful. However, left untreated, symptomless STIs can cause even more pain and complications in the long run.

If, after having unprotected sex, you’re not itchy and don’t have unusual genital discharge, then you probably don’t need to take an STI test, right? Wrong!

For example, 90% of people with HSV-2 go undiagnosed—just one indication of the prevalence of asymptomatic STIs.

The good news is that nowadays you don’t have to spend hours being poked and prodded in a GUM clinic. You can order an STI home testing kit and collect your samples in the comfort of your own home—no judgment, no filling in pages and pages of forms, and no feelings of embarrassment.

So, if it’s been a while since your last test, and even if you have zero symptoms: please, do yourself a favour and order one of Yoxly’s home testing kits today. You might just save yourself (and others) from avoidable pain and embarrassment.

Need more convincing? Let’s take a look at two potentially asymptomatic STIs, and why they can be serious if left untreated.

Two sexually transmitted infections which may have no symptoms

It’s important to note that we’re not talking about the incubation periods of STIs, where infections lay dormant for a certain time period. We’re talking about infections that can take hold and multiply without exhibiting any obvious symptoms—sometimes for years.

1. Chlamydia

Let’s start with what is generally considered to be one of the most common asymptomatic STIs: chlamydia. Chlamydia is known as ‘The Silent Infection’, and for good reason: it will often not produce any symptoms.

As a matter of fact, 90% of women and 70% of men don’t experience any symptoms of chlamydia. Those who do may experience symptoms such as:

• Pain when urinating

• Pain during sex

• Bleeding between periods

• Swollen and/or tender testicles

...just to name a few.

As mentioned, chlamydia can often go undetected. It can lay dormant in the body for years. The longer you have an untreated chlamydia infection, the higher your chance of developing long-term complications. This is why it’s important to be tested regularly.

What Damage Can Chlamydia Cause if Left Untreated?

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): PID can cause a severe pain in the lower abdomen and can eventually lead to problems with fertility.

• Ectopic Pregnancy: Ectopic pregnancy is where a fertilized egg begins to grow outside the uterus. As you may or may not know, a fertilized egg cannot survive outside of the uterus. And, if it bursts it can be life threatening for the carrier.

• Chronic Pelvic Pain: Exactly what is sounds like!

• Complications at Birth: Pregnant women who have chlamydia are 28 times more likely to give birth early.

It’s not all doom and gloom, however. Chlamydia is commonly treated with a simple course of antibiotics. 

If you’re sexually active and you’ve never been tested for chlamydia, or if it’s been a while since your last chlamydia test, we suggest you order an STI home test kit. It could save you a lot of unnecessary discomfort.

2. Trichomoniasis

Perhaps it’s because it doesn't roll off the tongue easily, but trichomoniasis is often overlooked when it comes to the most common sexually transmitted infections. However, it’s a contagious STI that should be taken as seriously as all the others.

Here are some facts to help understand a bit more about ‘trich:’

• An estimated 7 million people in the United States have trichomoniasis

• 70% of carriers do not show any symptoms of trichomoniasis

• Trichomoniasis is the most common curable STI

For the 30% of people who do experience symptoms of trichomoniasis, the most common are:

• Itching or irritation on or around the penis or vagina

• A burning sensation when urinating

• Discharge

What Damage Can Trichomoniasis Cause if Left Untreated?

People with untreated trichomoniasis are twice as likely to become infected with HIV if exposed, and people who have trichomoniasis and HIV are more likely to pass both infections on to their partners.

Similar to chlamydia, pregnant women with trichomoniasis are more likely to experience an early birth.

But again, it’s not all doom and gloom! Trichomoniasis is commonly treated with a simple course of antibiotics.

All the same, it can be a tricky infection to spot, mainly due to its tendency to be symptomless in its carriers. This is why regular testing is so important.

So, there you have it. Some sobering but essential facts and stats regarding asymptomatic STIs.

We’re here to give you peace of mind, however, with our STI homes testing kits. They’re delivered in discreet packaging, are simple to use, and might just save you from potentially very serious chronic health complications.

Want to know more? Contact us, or order your home test kit today.

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Drew Lovell has created content for various tech and entertainment companies, including Disney Online. His latest role was for a leading learning tech company, which saw him as the head of YouTube, chief blogger and social media expert. Drew has also written comedy for BBC Radio Four, released x2 podcast series, and x3 novels.