1. Why this matters
Sexual health affects physical health, relationships, fertility and emotional well-being. Knowing the basics about sexual diseases and remedies helps you get prompt care, avoid complications, and preserve sexual satisfaction. Many infections are curable and many sex problems are treatable — but the first step is testing and open conversation with a trustworthy clinician.
2. What we mean by “sexual diseases”
“Sexual diseases” usually refers to Sexual diseases and remedies transmitted infections (STIs) — for example chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HPV, HIV and trichomoniasis. Other conditions that affect sexual function (pain, low desire, arousal problems) are not always infections but are commonly grouped under “sex problems.” Public health agencies stress that STIs are common and that many are preventable or curable with timely care.
3. Common sexual infections — signs and remedies
Below are concise, clinically grounded overviews. If you recognise Sexual diseases and remedies, please see a clinician for testing and treatment.
Chlamydia
Signs: Often mild or no symptoms. Possible abnormal vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, bleeding after sex.
Remedy: Antibiotics (commonly doxycycline or azithromycin depending on clinical situation). Partners must be treated at the same time to avoid reinfection. Untreated chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and fertility problems.
Gonorrhea
Signs: Discharge, pelvic pain, sometimes no symptoms.
Remedy: Antibiotics following current guidelines; treatment choices depend on local resistance patterns and official guidance. Timely treatment prevents complications.
Syphilis
Signs: Painless sores, later skin rashes, systemic symptoms if untreated.
Remedy: Penicillin is the standard treatment; follow-up blood tests are needed. Early treatment usually cures the infection.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1, HSV-2)
Signs: Painful blisters or ulcers; recurrent outbreaks.
Remedy: Antiviral medicines (e.g., acyclovir, valacyclovir) shorten outbreaks and reduce viral shedding; daily suppressive therapy is an option for frequent recurrences. Symptom control and partner counselling are important.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Signs: Often no symptoms; some types cause genital warts; high-risk types can cause cervical and other cancers.
Remedy / prevention: There is no antiviral “cure” for HPV itself, but genital warts and precancerous changes can be treated. HPV vaccination prevents the most dangerous strains — vaccination programs are being implemented in many countries and are strongly recommended for eligible ages.
Trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection
Signs: Vaginal discharge, odor, itching, discomfort. Note: BV and yeast infections are not always sexually transmitted, but symptoms often prompt STI testing.
Remedy: Antiparasitic or antibiotic therapy for trichomoniasis; antifungal medicines for yeast; BV has specific antibiotic regimens. Clinical diagnosis and testing are important to pick the right remedy.
Important note: Some recent guidance has introduced additional prevention strategies in select high-risk groups (for example doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis — “DoxyPEP” — in certain populations), but these are targeted measures and not routine for everyone. Discuss risks, benefits and resistance concerns with your clinician.
4. Non-infectious sex problems: causes and practical options
Many women seek help for sex problems such as low desire, difficulty becoming aroused, pain during sex, or inability to orgasm. These problems can have biological, psychological and relational causes — often several at once. Common contributors include hormonal changes (pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause), medications (e.g., some antidepressants), chronic illness, stress, relationship issues, pelvic floor dysfunction and past sexual trauma.
Practical treatment options
- Education & counselling: Sexual diseases and remedies education, communication skills, couple therapy and sex therapy are often first-line.
- Pelvic floor physiotherapy: Helpful for pain disorders and vaginismus.
- Topical/local treatments: Vaginal lubricants, moisturisers, local low-dose estrogen for post-menopausal vaginal dryness (prescription).
- Medications: For carefully selected women, some medications (approved for specific low-desire diagnoses) or off-label approaches may help — these require specialist evaluation.
A tailored, stepwise approach works best: identify contributing factors, treat any medical conditions, provide symptom relief, and address relationship/psychological contributors.
5. Practical home-care vs when to see a doctor
Home-care (short-term):
- Use water-based lubricant for painful intercourse.
- Avoid douching.
- Over-the-counter antifungal creams help classic yeast infections, but only after confirmation.
- If you have a new sore, unusual bleeding, heavy/persistent discharge, fever or severe pain, don’t self-treat — get tested.
See a doctor promptly if:
- You have signs of an STI (sores, unusual discharge, pelvic pain).
- You’re pregnant and suspect an STI (some can affect pregnancy).
- Symptoms don’t improve after OTC remedies, or symptoms are severe.
- You need partner treatment or notification support.
Testing is simple (swabs, urine tests, blood tests) and lets your clinician choose the right remedy; self-diagnosis risks under- or overtreatment.
6. Prevention: tests, vaccines, safer sex and partner care
- Regular testing if you have new or multiple partners, or symptoms. Many STIs are asymptomatic — testing is the only way to know.
- Condoms reduce risk for many STIs (though not 100% for skin-to-skin transmitted infections).
- HPV vaccination: strongly recommended for eligible age groups — it prevents many cancers and genital warts; national programs are expanding, and private vaccination is widely available. In India, authorities have been advancing HPV vaccination policies; speak to your clinician about eligibility and schedule.
- Partner treatment and notification: If you test positive, partner testing and treatment prevents reinfection and reduces spread.
- Talk openly with partners about testing, contraception and safer-sex preferences.
7. Helpful enhancements (quick-checks and a mini symptom table)
Quick checklist for an urgent visit
- New genital sore, ulcer or blister — urgent review.
- Fever with pelvic pain — urgent.
- Bleeding after sex or unusual discharge — see clinician.
- If pregnant and exposed to an STI — see immediately.
Mini symptom table (very simplified)
Symptom | Possible causes | Action |
Painless sore | Early syphilis | Test + treatment |
Painful blisters | Herpes | Antiviral therapy |
Foul-smelling discharge | BV / trichomonas | Test + antibiotics |
Thick white cottage-cheese discharge | Yeast | Antifungal therapy |
No symptoms | Many STIs | Regular screening if at risk |
8. Author, clinic & how to book
Author: Dr. Kusuma — Consultant, Female Sexual Health. 10 years’ experience helping women with sexual infections and sexual problems using an evidence-based, compassionate approach.
Clinic (book an appointment):
Female Sexual Health by Dr. Kusuma
Androcare–Swetha Scans, 67-A, Journalist Colony, Road No. 70, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad — 500033
Website: femalesexualhealth.in | Phone: +91 90002 18377
If you’d like in-person assessment, call the clinic or visit the website to book a confidential consultation. The clinic specialises in diagnosing STIs, managing female sexual dysfunction and offering vaccinations and pelvic floor therapy.
9. FAQ
Q: Are all sexual infections curable?
Q: How often should I get tested?
Q: Can sex problems be fixed without medication?
Q: Is HPV vaccination available for adults?
Q: What about quick-post-exposure antibiotics (DoxyPEP)?
Final notes — practical next steps
- If you have symptoms, book testing — early diagnosis widens your remedy options and prevents complications.
- Use condoms, consider HPV vaccination if eligible, and talk with partners about testing.
- For sex problems, start with a confidential discussion — many effective non-pharmacologic options exist alongside medical treatments.
