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Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are an uncomfortable topic for many – but staying silent about them has consequences. Even though many infections seem harmless or cause no symptoms at all, they can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. From infertility and organ damage to passing the infection on to sexual partners or even your own child during birth: the potential consequences are often underestimated.
In this blog, you’ll learn why STIs often go undetected, what can happen if they remain untreated, whether they are curable – and how you can protect yourself and easily get tested.
Table of contents
- Why do STIs often go unnoticed?
- What happens if an STI is left untreated?
- Can an STI heal on its own?
- Are STIs curable – even if they’ve gone undetected for a long time?
- How can you protect yourself from STIs?
- When should you get an STI test?
Why do STIs often go unnoticed?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) often go undetected for a long time. This can happen for several reasons:
- No symptoms: Many STIs cause no symptoms at first. People may feel completely healthy, even though they are already infectious and can pass the infection on.
- Mild or vague symptoms: Slight burning when urinating, unusual discharge, or itching in the genital area are often ignored or mistaken for other causes.
- Shame or uncertainty: Out of fear of embarrassment or stigma, many people avoid visiting a doctor or postpone testing – especially if they have changing sexual partners.
- Testing too early: Some STIs can only be reliably detected several days or weeks after infection. If the test is taken too early, the result may be falsely negative, even though an infection is already present.
These factors contribute to STIs remaining unnoticed, spreading further, and causing health problems if left untreated (MayoClinic, 2023).
STIs that often cause no symptoms:
- Chlamydia – often completely symptomless, especially in women
- Gonorrhea – mild or no symptoms in many cases
- HPV (Human papillomavirus) – usually asymptomatic but may cause cellular changes
- HIV – early stages may cause flu-like symptoms or none at all
- Syphilis – often unnoticed in early stages, severe consequences later
- Genital herpes – may show no symptoms even without visible blisters
Source: WHO, 2025
What happens if an STI is left untreated?
An untreated sexually transmitted infection (STI) affects not only your own health – it can also put others at risk. If untreated, pathogens remain active in the body and can be easily passed on during sexual contact. In committed relationships, this can result in a recurring “ping-pong effect” if only one partner receives treatment. Unintended transmission during pregnancy or childbirth is also possible with certain STIs. Early diagnosis and treatment help protect both mother and child.
In the long term, untreated STIs can lead to serious complications such as infertility, organ damage, or chronic illness. The following STIs are especially known for their long-term risks:
| STI | Possible consequences if untreated |
|---|---|
| Chlamydia | Pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, chronic pelvic pain |
| Gonorrhea | Epididymitis, infertility, inflammation of eyes, joints, or blood vessels |
| Syphilis | Late-stage damage to heart, brain, and nervous system; skin and bone damage |
| HIV | Progressive immune deficiency leading to AIDS, increased risk of other infections |
| HPV | Genital warts, cellular changes, cervical cancer (depending on virus type) |
Sources: ASM, 2022; MayoClinic, 2023
Can an STI heal on its own?
Whether a sexually transmitted infection (STI) can heal on its own depends heavily on the pathogen:
Some STIs can be cleared by the immune system:
Certain HPV types, for example, are often eliminated by the body within 1–2 years without treatment. Some herpes outbreaks also resolve on their own, but the virus remains in the body and can flare up again.
Other STIs will not clear without targeted treatment:
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV remain active unless diagnosed and treated. Without therapy, these infections can spread and cause serious harm – even if symptoms disappear temporarily.
You should not rely on spontaneous recovery. Just because symptoms disappear doesn’t mean the infection is gone. A test is the only reliable way to know for sure.
Sources: Cleveland Clinic, 2025; CDC, 2021
Are STIs curable – even if they’ve gone undetected for a long time?
Whether a sexually transmitted infection is curable mainly depends on the pathogen and how early it is detected.
Bacterial STIs are usually curable.
Infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis respond well to antibiotics. Even if the infection has remained unnoticed for a long time, it can often still be successfully treated. However, the later treatment begins, the higher the risk of lasting damage – such as to reproductive organs, the nervous system, or joints.
Viral STIs are not curable, but they are treatable.
Infections like HIV, HPV, or genital herpes remain in the body for life. A complete cure is not yet possible. However, modern medication can drastically reduce the viral load, lower the risk of transmission, and reduce the likelihood of serious complications such as cervical cancer (HPV) or AIDS (HIV). Regular medical follow-up is essential here.
Early detection prevents long-term consequences.
Whether bacterial or viral: early diagnosis greatly improves treatment outcomes and reduces the risk of permanent damage. Because many STIs cause no symptoms, regular testing is a key part of prevention.
Sources: Cleveland Clinic, 2025; CDC, 2021
How can you protect yourself from STIs?
Protect yourself – and others. Many STIs can be easily prevented by following a few simple guidelines:
- Use condoms and dental dams – during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. They significantly reduce the risk, even if they don’t protect against all pathogens.
- Communicate openly with your partners – about testing, symptoms, or past infections. Honesty is protection.
- Take advantage of the HPV vaccine – ideally in adolescence, but it can still be useful later.
- Get tested regularly – even if you have no symptoms.
Source: CDC, 2024
Why? Because most STIs don’t cause immediate signs. A test is the only way to know for sure – for your health and that of your partners.
When should you get an STI test?
An STI test isn’t only important when you have symptoms – in fact, it’s especially important when you don’t. Because many infections are asymptomatic, regular testing is essential.
Testing is especially recommended:
- after unprotected sex with a new or changing partner
- if you or your partner have had other sexual partners
- if you’re planning to have children or starting a new relationship
- if you or your partner experience symptoms like burning, discharge, itching, or skin changes
- after a previous infection has been treated – to confirm it’s fully cleared
- during pregnancy (STI tests are part of routine checkups)
- if you’re part of a higher-risk group (e.g., multiple partners, MSM, HIV-positive)
Important: Some pathogens can only be reliably detected several days or weeks after infection. Testing too early may result in a false negative (MayoClinic, 2025).
With a Homed-IQ at-home test, you can test yourself easily and discreetly from home. Your samples are analyzed in a certified lab – and you’ll receive your results online within a few days, including a physician’s explanation.
References
Bishop, C. (2022, December 8). The Dangers of Undiagnosed Sexually Transmitted Infections | ASM.org. American Society for Microbiology. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from https://asm.org/articles/2022/december/the-dangers-of-undiagnosed-sexually-transmitted-in
Does HPV Go Away? (2025, June 19). Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/does-hpv-go-away
How to Prevent STIs | STI. (2024, April 9). CDC. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/sti/prevention/index.html
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) – Symptoms and causes. (2023, September 8). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/symptoms-causes/syc-20351240
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) – Symptoms and causes. (2023, September 8). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/symptoms-causes/syc-20351240
STD testing: What’s right for you? (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/in-depth/std-testing/art-20046019
Torgovnik, J. (2025, May 29). Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). World Health Organization (WHO). Retrieved July 18, 2025, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis)
