Several STIs, especially enteric (gut) infections like Giardia, Shigella, and LGV (Lymphogranuloma Venereum), and even systemic ones like Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and untreated HIV, can cause stomach bloating by causing intestinal inflammation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or affecting lymph nodes, with Chlamydia sometimes leading to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and abdominal swelling.
Which STIs Can Cause Abdominal Pain?
Common infections that can cause abdominal bloating include:
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). The first stage of LGV causes genital blisters. The second stage of LGV leads to swollen, painful lymph nodes in your groin, pelvis or rectum.
Common STI symptoms include unusual discharge, sores or bumps (genital/oral), pain or burning during urination, itching/redness in the genital area, and pelvic pain or bleeding between periods, though many STIs are asymptomatic, so regular testing is crucial.
The disease starts as a sore that's often painless and typically appears on the genitals, rectum or mouth. Syphilis spreads from person to person through direct contact with these sores. It also can be passed to a baby during pregnancy and childbirth and sometimes through breastfeeding.
Human immunodeficiency virus, which is widely known as HIV, is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). AIDS is a serious, life-threatening illness with a variety of symptoms (16).
STDs that may show signs and symptoms soon after exposure include herpes and gonorrhea. Chlamydia, which is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease, typically has an incubation period between 1-3 weeks; however, chlamydia can remain dormant for years.
Symptoms
Bloating is a sign of excess gas or fluid in the digestive system, often from swallowing air, eating gas-producing foods (like beans, dairy, or gluten), constipation, food intolerances (lactose, fructose), or conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or SIBO. It can also signal more serious issues like celiac disease, gastroparesis, or gynecological problems, but usually results from dietary habits or common digestive issues.
Giardiasis is a tummy bug that causes symptoms like diarrhoea, farting and bloating.
Another cause of abdominal distension is fluid build-up in the lining of the abdominal cavity, called the peritoneum. These tissues can become inflamed from infection (peritonitis), or they can be filled with fluid as a result of a condition called ascites.
Symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) can include: an unusual discharge from your vagina, penis or anus. pain when peeing. lumps or skin growths around your genitals or bottom (anus)
Several of the more than 20 types of STDs can lie dormant for months, years, or even decades. Dormant STDs and STIs highlight the importance of sexual health testing, as only a test can determine if an asymptomatic infection is present.
Chlamydia, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, is an STD where frequent urination is a key symptom. Many who contract this STD display no symptoms, making it hard to identify. However, persistent, painful urination should raise a red flag.
Early signs of chlamydia often involve painful urination, unusual discharge, bleeding between periods or after sex (in women), or penile/anal discharge, testicular pain (in men), but it's common to have no symptoms, making regular testing crucial, as signs usually appear 1-3 weeks after infection.
Chlamydia. This kind of bacterial infection can spread through sexual contact with the infected individual. The disease may pass on through oral sex or sharing of sex toys. Sometimes, having oral sex with a partner can cause chlamydia in your throat.
Deaths from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) often occur long after acute infection, making their incidence difficult to estimate. Some infections, such as syphilis, may directly result in death. By contrast, human papilloma virus (HPV), HIV, and hepatitis more commonly cause death because of secondary sequelae.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) This is one of the most well-known and deadly STDs. It attacks the body's immune system, specifically targeting CD4 cells, which are essential for fighting infections.
Therefore, doxycycline is endorsed as an alternative preferred therapy. Regimens of doxycycline of 100 mg orally twice daily for 14 days for early syphilis and 28 days for late syphilis have been used for many years.
In the first stage of syphilis, a small, smooth sore develops on your genitals, mouth or lips. It may resemble a pimple and be so small and harmless that you don't even notice. This sore goes away on its own in about six weeks. In the second stage of syphilis, a rough, red or brown rash develops.
“Two or three of the major STIs [in humans] have come from animals. We know, for example, that gonorrhoea came from cattle to humans. Syphilis also came to humans from cattle or sheep many centuries ago, possibly sexually”.