An STD in men is often assumed to be obvious, but that’s not always true. Some infections do cause clear symptoms in men, such as discharge or burning when passing urine. Many others, including chlamydia, syphilis and HIV, can stay completely silent for months. At HOP Medical Centre, we regularly see men who felt perfectly well and only found out after a partner tested positive.

✍ Written by: HOP Medical Centre Health Content Team 📅 Published: October 2026 | 🔄 Last Reviewed: October 2026

This guide covers the most common infections in men, the symptoms to watch for, the risks of leaving them untreated, which tests to take, and how to protect yourself and your partners.

How an STD in Men Usually Shows Up

In men, infections of the urethra (the tube that carries urine) tend to cause the most noticeable symptoms. Gonorrhoea is the classic example. It often causes a thick discharge and burning within days of exposure. Chlamydia is milder and is frequently missed altogether.

Infections in the throat or rectum are even easier to miss. Gonorrhoea and chlamydia in these areas often cause no symptoms, or only a mild sore throat or rectal discomfort. That’s why a urine test alone doesn’t always give the full picture.

Common Types of STD in Men

Infection	Possible signs in men	Main risk if untreated
Gonorrhoea	Thick discharge, burning when passing urine	Epididymitis; passing it on to partners
Chlamydia	Often none; sometimes mild discharge or burning	Epididymitis; possible fertility problems
Mycoplasma genitalium	Burning or discharge that keeps coming back	Persistent urethritis
Syphilis	Painless sore, later a rash on palms or soles	Damage to heart, brain and nerves
Genital herpes	Painful blisters or sores that return	Recurring outbreaks; passing it on
HPV	Usually none; some types cause genital warts	Some types are linked to anal and throat cancers
HIV, hepatitis B and C	Often none for years; sometimes flu-like illness early on	Long-term damage to the immune system or liver

Symptoms to Watch For

When an STD in men causes symptoms, the most common are:

• Discharge from the tip of the penis
• Burning or stinging when passing urine
• Pain or swelling in one testicle
• Sores, blisters, small bumps or warts on the genitals or around the anus
• Itching or irritation inside the penis
• Rectal pain, discharge or bleeding
• A persistent sore throat after oral sex
• A rash, especially on the palms or soles

If burning or discharge keeps coming back after a course of antibiotics, ask about Mycoplasma genitalium. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/mycoplasmagenitalium.htm), it causes about 40% of persistent or recurring urethritis in men, and it isn’t covered by a standard chlamydia and gonorrhoea test.

Why Testing Matters Even Without Symptoms

Feeling well isn’t proof of being clear. Chlamydia, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis can all be present without symptoms, and they can still be passed to partners during that time. Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhoea can spread to the epididymis, the tube behind the testicle, causing pain and swelling and, in some cases, affecting fertility.

Our STD symptoms guide (https://hop.sg/std-symptoms-singapore/) explains which signs link to which infections.

Testing for an STD in Men at HOP Medical Centre

Testing is quick and private. Depending on the package, you give a urine sample, a blood sample, or both. Every appointment takes place in a private consultation room, and walk-ins are welcome at both our Orchard and Tampines clinics, with no referral needed.

• Package A ($106.82): HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C (blood test)
• Package B ($150.42): Package A plus herpes
• Package C ($194.02, or $226.72 express): chlamydia and gonorrhoea, express results from 30 minutes, anonymous option available
• Package D ($270.32, or $303.02 express): Package C plus Mycoplasma genitalium, express results from 30 minutes
• Package F ($521.02): a comprehensive 12-infection panel

All prices include GST. Standard results take 2 to 5 working days. If you have oral or anal sex, tell the doctor, who may recommend throat or rectal swabs as well, because a urine test can miss infections in those areas. You can compare packages in our STD test cost guide (https://hop.sg/std-test-cost-singapore/).

Treatment and Partner Testing

Bacterial infections, including chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis, are curable with antibiotics. Viral infections such as herpes, HIV and hepatitis B can’t always be cured, but treatment controls them well and lowers the chance of passing them on.

If a result is positive, the doctor explains what it means, discusses treatment and advises on follow-up testing. Partners need testing and treatment too. Without that, the infection can pass straight back.

How to Lower Your Risk

• Use condoms consistently and correctly, including for oral sex where practical
• Test with a new partner before stopping condoms
• Consider the HPV vaccine. Gardasil 9 is suitable for men, and our HPV vaccination guide (https://hop.sg/hpv-vaccination-singapore-hopsg-singapore/) explains who benefits most.
• Ask about PrEP if you’re at higher risk of HIV; HOP offers it to eligible patients
• Test regularly, every 3 to 6 months if you have multiple partners

Frequently Asked Questions About STD in Men

1. Can a man have an STD without symptoms?
Yes. Chlamydia, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis can all be present without symptoms in men, sometimes for months or years. Testing is the only reliable way to know.

2. What are the most common STD symptoms in men?
Discharge from the penis, burning when passing urine, sores or blisters, and pain or swelling in a testicle. Throat and rectal infections often cause no symptoms.

3. Can an STD affect male fertility?
It can. Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhoea can spread to the epididymis, causing pain and swelling, and in some cases affect fertility.

4. Is there an HPV test for men?
There’s no routine HPV screening test for men. Genital warts can be checked by a doctor, and the HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9) is suitable for men.

5. Why does burning keep coming back after antibiotics?
One possible cause is Mycoplasma genitalium, which a standard chlamydia and gonorrhoea test doesn’t detect. Package D at HOP Medical Centre includes it.

More Questions About Testing for Men

6. Is a urine test enough?
It detects infections in the urethra. If you have oral or anal sex, the doctor may also recommend throat or rectal swabs.

7. How fast are results at HOP Medical Centre?
Packages C and D offer express results from 30 minutes. Other results take 2 to 5 working days.

8. Is anonymous testing available?
Package C offers an anonymous option. Other packages are discreet, with your identity recorded and results kept private.

9. Can I walk in for testing?
Yes. Walk-in STD testing is available at Orchard (Palais Renaissance) and Tampines (CPF Building) with no referral needed.

Test, Treat, Move On

An STD in men is common, usually easy to treat once found, and nothing to be embarrassed about. The real risk is not knowing. A quick, discreet test gives you an answer and protects your partners too.