1. < Women's Health

Syphilis

Posted by oluwaferanmi @oluwaferanmi, Feb 2 11:11am

I had unprotected sex with a guy and like two days after I started feeling discomforts. I thought I had a yeast infection so I used over the counter medications and vaginal cream. It went briefly but it was back almost immediately I stopped medication. I never actually saw a doctor or anything. I was really scared of doing so. So I've had this discharge for the past 7 months. It goes away on my period and comes back after. Today I went to the hospital to run tests and figured I have reactive syphilis and h.pylori. I've been prescribed 3 shots of benzatine spread across 3 weeks. I'm still so bothered if this will work and how sure am I it won't come with so many side effects. I'm just 20 and my mom will kill me if anything goes wrong. Just to be clear she doesn't even know I have syphilis. What do you suggest I do?

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Rubyslippers | @triciaot | Feb 2 11:44am

If I were you, I’d want to do what is needed to treat syphilis. If left untreated, 10-30 years later it can cause issues in multi organ systems. It can be cured if treated early. Looks like Benzatine is the correct treatment, it is a penicillin. I’m not a medical professional but it seems like a very safe treatment unless you’re allergic to penicillin.

As a mom myself, I’d suggest telling her. My sons have told me some really upsetting things over the years - but life is life and my job is to help them thru it. I don’t know how your mom will respond, there are some people who have horrible relationship breaking responses, but I think most moms need to know. She will be upset, share her grief and upset because I’m sure you’re feeling the same thing. Then get treatment.
This episode, syphilis and treatment, will probably end up in your health history somewhere. And, especially if you’re on her health insurance, it may be noted at some point. Health histories, like those recorded when you start a new doctor or if you get pregnant might capture that info. You’ll just have to make the best decision you can for now - but if it were me, I’d absolutely chose treatment.

Here’s more info on syphyilis and side effects (far down the page).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507723/

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1 reply
oluwaferanmi | @oluwaferanmi | Feb 2 12:01pm
In reply to @triciaot "If I were you, I’d want to do what is needed to treat syphilis. If left..." + (show)
@triciaot

If I were you, I’d want to do what is needed to treat syphilis. If left untreated, 10-30 years later it can cause issues in multi organ systems. It can be cured if treated early. Looks like Benzatine is the correct treatment, it is a penicillin. I’m not a medical professional but it seems like a very safe treatment unless you’re allergic to penicillin.

As a mom myself, I’d suggest telling her. My sons have told me some really upsetting things over the years - but life is life and my job is to help them thru it. I don’t know how your mom will respond, there are some people who have horrible relationship breaking responses, but I think most moms need to know. She will be upset, share her grief and upset because I’m sure you’re feeling the same thing. Then get treatment.
This episode, syphilis and treatment, will probably end up in your health history somewhere. And, especially if you’re on her health insurance, it may be noted at some point. Health histories, like those recorded when you start a new doctor or if you get pregnant might capture that info. You’ll just have to make the best decision you can for now - but if it were me, I’d absolutely chose treatment.

Here’s more info on syphyilis and side effects (far down the page).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507723/

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Thanks for this. It's just all a surprise to me. I don't even know how to feel. I'm going to try and sit her down and explain. I know I'll regret talking to her but i think i need to. I'll take treatments as well. As soon as I can. I definitely don't want anything messing with my health later in the future.

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pb50 | @pb50 | Feb 2 12:12pm

Sweetie,
I know a lot about being a girl mom and quite a bit about long term effects of syphyilis - one of which is it takes up residence in your BRAIN girl.
Whatever reaction your Mom has, you will be better off unloading. Seriously. It’s more stressful to hang on to this than to get this kind of stuff off your chest and get to fixing it.
Maybe she will be steady and calm and helpful - and maybe that comes after she rants and raves and says “how could you do this”. That last description is probably me.
Girl up. Get help from Mom and keep your relationship honest. If my daughter humbly asked for help, I would walk over hot coals to give it.
But whatever your reality is, it won’t be the last difficult discussion you will have, or the last time you have to
own a not so smart decision.
Tricia gave great advice and
information. Get treated. There really can’t be an option.

Stay in touch. I’m sending courage and good Juju your way.

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oluwaferanmi | @oluwaferanmi | Feb 2 12:21pm

@pb50 Thanks for the advice. I'm going to need all the courage in the world cos this is not the first disappointing stuff I'm doing in my life. She already feels so disappointed in me. I'll do what's right though. And that juju is very much needed right now.

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1 reply
Rubyslippers | @triciaot | Feb 2 12:38pm
In reply to @oluwaferanmi "@pb50 Thanks for the advice. I'm going to need all the courage in the world cos..." + (show)
@oluwaferanmi

@pb50 Thanks for the advice. I'm going to need all the courage in the world cos this is not the first disappointing stuff I'm doing in my life. She already feels so disappointed in me. I'll do what's right though. And that juju is very much needed right now.

Jump to this post

We’re all in this together! My mom was disappointed in me on so many occasions. I made choices she didn’t like, and some were not good for me either, but I was just doing the best I could at the time. Big mistakes happen.

I turned out pretty good, anyway. I’ve made accomplishments I’m proud of. Don’t let the disappointments of the past determine your future. If your mom is disappointed it’s because she wants the best for you. So you know that - she wants the best for you!
I think she be happy (eventually) that you sought treatment, that you wanted her to be part of the solution, and you know better for the future.

I’d say some of my worst mess-ups are what helped me be a much better me now!
Wishing you the best!

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1 reply
oluwaferanmi | @oluwaferanmi | Feb 2 12:56pm
In reply to @triciaot "We’re all in this together! My mom was disappointed in me on so many occasions. I..." + (show)
@triciaot

We’re all in this together! My mom was disappointed in me on so many occasions. I made choices she didn’t like, and some were not good for me either, but I was just doing the best I could at the time. Big mistakes happen.

I turned out pretty good, anyway. I’ve made accomplishments I’m proud of. Don’t let the disappointments of the past determine your future. If your mom is disappointed it’s because she wants the best for you. So you know that - she wants the best for you!
I think she be happy (eventually) that you sought treatment, that you wanted her to be part of the solution, and you know better for the future.

I’d say some of my worst mess-ups are what helped me be a much better me now!
Wishing you the best!

Jump to this post

😪😪

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