Content Supervision
Noriaki L. Santo
Noriaki L. Santo
Noriaki L. Santo
Noriaki L. Santo
Physician
Director of Clinic TEN Shibuya. Board-Certified Urologist (Japanese Urological Association). Graduated from the School of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, receiving the President’s Award during enrollment and completing a government-funded study abroad program in the United States. Joined the Department of Urology at the National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center. After completing the Harvard University ICRT Program Japan and serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Urology at Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, currently works as a Researcher at the Clinical Research Center of Tokyo Medical Center.
What are sexually transmitted diseases?
Sexually transmitted diseases are a general term for illnesses that are transmitted through sexual activity. The main causes are bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Sexually transmitted diseases are not rare, and anyone can become infected through sexual activity in their daily lives.
In many cases, the symptoms are asymptomatic or mild, making it difficult to notice the onset of the disease, and if you delay seeking medical attention, the infection may spread to your partner, and if left untreated, it may cause infertility or affect the next generation through mother-to-child transmission.If you do contract the disease, it is important to detect it early and take appropriate measures.
Sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment at our urology department
In cases where symptoms are present, medical treatment may be covered by health insurance, but if there are no symptoms, the treatment will not be covered by insurance and will be at your own expense.
(Please note that even if symptoms are present, there may be cases where medical treatment is at your own expense depending on the illness.)
Test results are mainly sent via LINE, and as a general rule, there is no need for you to come to the clinic to have the results explained. However, for some diseases, we may recommend a follow-up visit if a more detailed explanation is required or if treatment is required.
In addition, the gynecology department will treat any concerns about women’s delicate areas, including sexually transmitted diseases.
Characteristics of typical sexually transmitted diseases
Chlamydia
Approximately 1 to 3 weeks after infection, symptoms such as pain, itching, and itching when urinating, as well as pus discharge from the urethra, appear, but in many cases the symptoms are relatively mild or asymptomatic. If the infection is overlooked, it is easy for the infection to spread to partners, so caution is required. If a woman becomes infected, it can also cause infertility, so appropriate testing and treatment are necessary.
Gonorrhea
Symptoms such as pain when urinating and yellowish-white pus coming out of the urethra appear about 2 to 7 days after infection, but compared to chlamydia, symptoms are more severe, such as stronger pain and a larger amount of pus. If not treated appropriately, it can lead to infertility, so it is a disease that requires thorough testing and treatment.
Mycoplasma genitalium
Compared to chlamydia and gonorrhea, Mycoplasma genitalium is becoming more resistant to treatment and can persist for a long period of time if not treated appropriately. It has also been reported that Mycoplasma genitalium may increase the risk of premature birth if it infects women. When a sexually transmitted disease is suspected, testing should be performed with the possibility of Mycoplasma genitalium in mind, and if the test is positive, it is recommended that appropriate treatment be started early.
Trichomonas
Trichomonas is a protozoan (parasite) that infects the female genital tract, and is known to cause urethritis when it infects the male genital tract. While the condition often improves naturally without any noticeable symptoms, in some cases the infection can persist for several months. If you suspect you may be infected with Trichomonas as a sexually transmitted disease, you should be tested promptly, and if you are infected, you should receive appropriate treatment.
Ureaplasma urealyticum
Ureaplasma urealyticum is a bacterium that has been gradually increasing in number as a cause of sexually transmitted diseases in recent years, and like chlamydia and mycoplasma, it can be transmitted through sexual intercourse. It can cause urethritis and epididymitis in men, and vaginitis and intrauterine infection in women, but it can also be asymptomatic and go unnoticed.
Testing for this bacteria is not covered by health insurance. Therefore, if symptoms persist despite testing negative for other sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, you can undergo testing at your own expense. If infection is confirmed, you will be treated with antibiotics and covered by health insurance.
Other bacteria
In addition to the bacteria mentioned above, Ureaplasma parvum and Mycoplasma omnis may also test positive. These two bacteria can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, but they are known to be commonly present in the body, especially in women.
Therefore, even if the test is positive, they rarely cause symptoms and no treatment is necessary. Furthermore, because antibiotics cannot completely reverse the infection, treatment is not recommended if the patient is asymptomatic.
About insurance-covered medical treatment
Treatment for sexually transmitted diseases may also be covered by health insurance. If you are experiencing symptoms for the first time or if symptoms reappear after treatment has been completed, please make an appointment for your first consultation at a urology clinic.
During the consultation, we will ask about your symptoms and history, and then perform any necessary tests, intravenous drips, or oral medications. We will notify you of the test results via LINE, etc., but depending on the results of the tests, we may ask you to come in for another consultation and receive a detailed explanation.
The estimated cost of STI testing and treatment under health insurance is around 2,000-4,000 yen, assuming a 30% self-pay. Please note that this will vary depending on the type of test and whether or not a prescription is given.
About private medical treatment
If you wish to receive testing or treatment even if you have no symptoms, you can receive treatment at your own expense. Also, if you test positive at your own expense, subsequent treatment may be covered by insurance.
