Sexually transmitted diseases in young female patients

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are increasing worldwide as well as in Germany, especially in young women between 15 and 24 years old. As some of these infections are asymptomatic or show only slight symptoms, they are often detected too late and can therefore spread without restraint and be unwillingly transmitted. If the pathogens persist the sequelae can have various degrees of severity depending on the pathogen. The manifestations range, for example, from the development of genital condyloma (condylomata acuminata) to cervical dysplasia with the risk of carcinogenesis by infections with human papillomavirus (HPV) and particularly by ascension of Chlamydia trachomatis (in Germany in PID nearly 30% of cases) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (in Germany in PID < 2% of cases) to extensive chronic inflammation of the pelvis, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The latter represents a high risk for subfertility, infertility and even the development of an ectopic pregnancy. In the vast majority of cases a causal treatment exists, which in the case of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) should always include the partner(s) as well; however, if the infections occur during pregnancy an individual approach to treatment is necessary depending on the week of pregnancy and the risk of teratogenesis.