Frequent Urination
Frequent urination and a strong urge to urinate are common symptoms of STDs in men. This is because bacteria, viruses, and, in the case of gonorrhea, fungi often cause STDs in men. Bacteria and viruses cause STDs when they infect the organs of the male reproductive system, especially the urethra, a small tube running through the length of the penis. If bacteria infect this tube, it can cause frequent urination. The infected area may also become inflamed, causing an intense urge to urinate. The same mechanisms cause STDs when they also infect other parts of the male reproductive system.
Bacteria and viruses that cause STDs are also spread by sexual contact with an infected person through bodily fluids like urine. The most common way this happens is through sexual intercourse with an infected person with an active STD. However, many STDs can be transmitted through oral sex as well. Common ways that these diseases spread include vaginal intercourse (penis-in-vagina sex), anal sex (penis-in-rectum sex), and oral sex (mouth-on-genital contact). Gonorrhea can also be spread by direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected area on another person’s genitals or mouth.
