Sexual intercourse is when a male places his penis into a female's vagina. Ejaculation can occur but does not have to.

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Chlamydia is the most common STD, and is caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms can include abnormal vaginal discharge, and pain or burning during urination. Doctors say that about 75% of women with chlamydia have no symptoms at all. Chlamydia can be cured with antibiotic medications. Be sure to let any partners with whom you have had sexual contact know that you have chlamydia so that they can be treated.

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Gonorrhea is also caused by a bacterial infection. The symptoms include abnormal discharge from the vagina, and painful or difficult urination. You can also have a sore throat and swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, and bleeding between menstrual periods. Like chlamydia, gonorrhea can be cured with antibiotics. All sexual partners must be treated with antibiotics as well.

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Genital Herpes is caused by a virus, and is so common that about one out of every four adults has herpes. Herpes causes painful blisters or sores in the genital area. People with herpes often feel a tingling, itching or burning sensation in their genitals before the sores appear. There are medications that can help to relieve the symptoms, but there is NO cure.

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Genital warts is caused by a virus related the one that causes warts on your skin. Genital warts appear as small, painless bumps in the vagina or anus. The warts are removed either by applying a medication to them, or freezing them off. However, like genital herpes, genital warts cannot be cured, and will stay in your body for the rest of your life.

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Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, destroys your ability to fight off disease. HIV infection can cause flu-like symptoms including fevers, joint pain, and nausea. Sweating at night, mysterious weight loss, tiredness and fever are other symptoms of HIV infections. While there is no cure for HIV, the virus can be controlled with medications.

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