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Can a STD Go Away on Its Own? What You Need to Know
31, Oct, 2025

Can a STD Go Away on Its Own? What You Need to Know

Will an STD go away on its own? That’s a question many people may ask, but there is not a clear answer. The good news is, most STIs can be effectively treated, but not all are curable.  While some symptoms of a STI can alleviate without treatment, some symptoms can’t be ignored at all and require immediate treatment. As with all sickness and disease, the sooner you are seen by a medical professional when something is wrong, the better it is for your health. However, you can be reinfected with a STD even after undergoing treatment that cleared it before. Take a look at this blog to find out which STDs are actually curable and which aren’t.

What is a STI (sexually transmitted infection)?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are infections passed from one person to another through sexual activity, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

STIs are extremely contagious. If you are sexually active, you can potentially pass on or transmit a STI without knowing it! This is where having regular STI testing or screenings are important, in case you are sexually active.

What are the different types of STDs or STIs?

Most common sexually transmitted infections are:

What are the typical sexually transmitted infection symptoms?

The clinical manifestation of STIs is based primarily on its cause. In some instances, you may not have any symptoms at all. In case when you experience sexual diseases symptoms, they may be located on or around the genital structures and can include:

  • Bumps, sores or warts on or around the vagina, penis, anus or mouth
  • Swelling or significant itching of the penis or vagina
  • Unusual discharge from the penis
  • Unusual discharge from the penis, which may be white, yellow, or green in colour
  • Bleeding from the vagina which is not your period
  • Pain while having sex
  • Painful sensation and frequent urge to urinate

You may potentially have symptoms that affect the rest of your body, including:

  • Skin rashes
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Diarrhoea
  • Sweating at night
  • Pains, aches, chills and fever
  • Jaundice – yellowing of the skin and the white parts of your eyes

What causes STIs?

Sexually transmitted infections can be caused by various infectious agents including bacteria, viruses or parasites. You may become infected with these microorganisms through the exchange of bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or anal mucus) during sexual activity – mainly vaginal, anal, oral or any other form of sexual activities.

Are STIs contagious?

Yes, STIs can be highly contagious. Most sexually transmitted infections get transmitted from human to human via sexual contact, either through bodily fluids or by touching the infected skin of a person’s body, mostly the genitals. Others, like HIV and hepatitis B, can also be transmitted during childbirth or breastfeeding.

What are complications with STIs?

Untreated STIs can lead to lifelong complications. Some of the more common complications of an untreated sexually transmitted infection are:

  • HIV which can progress to AIDS.
  • Syphilis that can affect your nervous system, organs and can even affect a growing foetus.

Common STI symptoms in women can lead to complications such as:

  • Pelvic inflammatory disease or PID that may affect your uterus and result in infertility
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Infertility
  • Persistent pelvic pain

In males, STIs may result in complications such as:

  • Infections in the prostate and urethra
  • Sore and swollen testicles
  • Infertility

How to know if you have a sexually transmitted disease?

A consultation and physical examination will be conducted by your healthcare provider before diagnosing a STI. Your provider will enquire about your symptoms as well as your medical and sexual history. It is important that if you receive a positive diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection, you must inform your sexual partner(s) that they also need to be tested.

Don’t Wait—Get Tested for STDs Today

Most STDs don’t go away without proper treatment. Early detection can prevent complications and protect your health. Book your confidential STD test today at our trusted London clinic.

What is STI testing?

An STI test is a medical examination that helps identify whether or not you have an STI. Your healthcare provider will check your symptoms and provide a test (or tests) to determine its original cause. There are specific tests for each type of STI. Your provider can advise you on which specific test(s) you need. STI testing mostly include:

  • Urine test
  • Swab sample from the throat, genitals, or anus
  • Blood test
  • Sample of fluid from skin sores
  • A cell sample or discharge from your body – typically the penis, vagina, cervix, urethra, throat or anus

STI testing is not usually painful. A blood test could feel like a slight pinch, or if a swab touches a sore, you may feel a little sting.

How often should I get tested for STIs?

Healthcare experts recommend the following for STI screenings: 

  • Individuals aged between 13 and 64 must get HIV test at least once.
  • All sexually active women under 25 should undergo gonorrhoea and chlamydia testing at least once every year.
  • All females aged 25 and above must be tested for gonorrhoea and chlamydia once a year if they have risk factors, such as multiple sex partners.
  • All pregnant women should be screened early in pregnancy for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
  • All men having sex with other men should have a test for syphilis, HIV, gonorrhoea and chlamydia on an annual basis. Men having multiple or anonymous sex partners must be tested more often for these STIs – like in every 3 to 6 months.
  • All men having sex with other men should have a test for hepatitis C if they are living with HIV, at least annually.
  • Individuals must have a test for HIV at least annually if they participate in sexual behaviours that increase their chances of infection or share equipment such as needles to inject drugs.
  • If you have a new partner, ensure both you and partner have had testing for STIs before engaging in vaginal or anal sex.

Can a STD be treated?

How to treat sexually transmitted infection will typically consist of one of the following, based on the cause of infection:

  • Antibiotics: Antibiotics can cure many bacterial and parasitic STIs such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. Some may require a single dose; others need a full course.
  • Antiviral medications: If you are infected with HIV or herpes, your healthcare provider may recommend the use of an antiviral drug to help prevent viral infections from worsening further.

If you have received a STD disease treatment, consult your healthcare provider for the duration of time after treatment that you should be retested. Being retested will help ensure that the sexually transmitted disease treatment was effective and successful, and that you are not reinfected.

Can a STI go away?

Most STIs go away with treatment. Some STIs, however, may have to be clinically managed on a lifelong basis with medications. Remember that you can be reinfected with an STI after it has cleared from your body.

It is crucial that STIs are diagnosed and treated as early as possible, because without treatment, your symptoms can worsen and develop other complications. There are several sexually transmitted infections which can be treated with medication and cured, including syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia.

Are there any incurable venereal disease or STDs?

Some STIs, such as HIV and herpes, have no cure and remain in the body for life, though modern treatments can control symptoms and reduce transmission risk. Medications are available for herpes and HIV that are used to treat subsequent outbreaks and infections of either virus.

Treatments can remove genital warts but cannot eliminate the human papillomavirus (HPV) itself, which may stay dormant in the body. Therefore, there is always a chance of the warts growing back at a later date.

How can I protect myself from sexually transmitted infections?

The only way to eliminate the risk of sexually transmitted infections is to not have sex. If you are sexually active, you should:

  • Use a latex or polyurethane condom every time you have sex. If you or your partner has a vagina, consider using a dental dam during oral sex.
  • Choose sex partners wisely. Don’t have sex if you think your partner has an STI.
  • Get tested for STIs regularly. This helps protect other people from getting STIs. Ask any new sex partner to get STI testing before you have sex for the first time.
  • Cut down on alcohol or drugs consumption before sex. Individuals under the influence often engage in sex without protection.
  • Learn the signs and symptoms of sexual diseases; if you notice anything out of the ordinary, see a healthcare provider promptly.
  • Educate yourself about STIs. The more you know, the more you can protect yourself and your partners.

Seek Professional STD Treatment for Peace of Mind

If you suspect an infection, don’t ignore the symptoms. Get expert diagnosis and treatment for STDs from experienced healthcare professionals and take control of your health now.

Final Thoughts

Sexually transmitted infections are prevalent. Seek advice from a healthcare professional if you notice burning or itching around your genitals, or any other potential sign of an STI.

If you are wondering can STI be cured, remember that most infections are treatable with antibiotics in which you have the possibility of curing the infection with few or no long-term implications. Some STIs, such as HIV or herpes, require lifelong treatment or management. If you are sexually active, reducing the risk of STIs can be done by consistently using condoms or other methods of STI protections.

For further advice on STI treatment or STI testing, contact our STI Clinic today.