Every guy knows that, if it burns while taking a leak, there is probably something wrong that warrants making a trip to the doctor.  But, do you really know what is causing your junior to feel the burn and what you need to do to make it go away?  Although there are other potential causes for the burn, the most common reason behind the pain is a sexually transmitted disease.

Unless you have been living with your head under a rock over the past decade, you are fully aware that wearing a condom is the easiest and most effective way to prevent the spread of disease (aside from abstinence, but where is the fun in that?).  Nonetheless, you might let your little head take control sometimes and dip it in some places where it shouldn’t be.  Or, you might get screwed over by some sweet thing you thought was being faithful, only to find your dick burning as she walks out the door announcing that she’s been fucking your best friend for the last 3 months.

Regardless of how you picked up the disease, it is helpful to know a little more about the more common STDs and the symptoms you should watch for.  There are actually more than 20 different types of sexually transmitted diseases, but here’s a look at the ones you are the most likely to run across.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia, which is caused by bacteria, often does not cause any symptoms at all.  When it does, however, it often does a burning sensation during urination.  This is because it usually infects the urinary tract.  It can also cause an unusual discharge from your dick, which is sure to make it difficult for you to get a blow job any time soon.  Even worse (I know, hard to imagine something worse than not getting a bj, right?), it can cause severe pain, fever and possibly even infertility because it infects the epididymis, which is the tube responsible for carrying your sperm.  Fortunately, you can maintain your ability to spread your seed by getting on some antibiotics to clear up this fun little disease.

Gonorrhea

You may be more familiar with gonorrhea by its more common slang name:  the clap.  This dandy little disease can affect your penis as well as your anus and mouth.  The clap is similar to chlamydia in that it can cause discharge and pain when urinating, or it can cause no symptoms at all.  Gono can also be treated with antibiotics and, if left untreated, can wreak havoc on your testicles and can make you infertile.  Unfortunately, condoms do not completely eliminate your risk of catching the clap, even if you use them correctly.  So, make sure to get checked at least once per year even if you are sexually active – even if you aren’t experiencing any symptoms.

Herpes

Medically known as herpes simples virus, or HSV for short, herpes can affect your anal area, your butt or your penis.  Genital herpes is part of the same family as oral herpes, which leads to cold sores on the face or around the mouth, but is not exactly the same disease.  Some people with the disease show no signs, but most develop attractive little sores in the area where the virus entered the body.  Whether sores are present or not, however, herpes can be spread from one partner to the next and women can even infect their babies when giving birth.

Unlike the other STDs mentioned so far, this is no cure for herpes.  There is medication available that can help control the outbreaks, but you will still likely develop the painful, itchy blisters from time to time and you will still be able to spread the disease if you don’t use protection.  Like gono, wearing a condom isn’t 100% effective against spreading the disease.

Human Papillomavirus

Most people think of herpes when they think of warts, but there are more than 100 different types of human papillomavirus that can cause warts as well.  While most of these viruses are relatively harmless, there are about 30 different types that increase your chances of developing cancer once you have caught them.  While some of these are considered to be low risk, the high risk viruses can lead to cancer on your Johnson or in your anus.  Condoms won’t completely eliminate your chances of catching human papillomavirus, or HPV, but they will greatly reduce your risk.  In addition, there are actually vaccines you can get against the disease that can help protect you from some of the viruses that can lead to cancer.

Syphilis

Syphilis is another disease that can lead to sores on your mouth, lips, anus or penis.  Sound fun?  Well, it gets even better.  If left untreated, syphilis can actually cause serious health complications and can lead to death.  Oddly enough, it can also cause skin rashes to develop on various parts of your body, with the hands and feet being the most commonly affected.  If caught early, syphilis is usually easy to cure with antibiotics, but symptoms may come and go, which causes many people to put off seeking treatment.

HIV/AIDS

Although many people think HIV and AIDS are the same thing, this isn’t true.  AIDS is actually a more advanced version of HIV, but both affect your immune system and make it more difficult for your body to fend off other diseases.  You may have heard that nobody actually dies from AIDS. This is technically true because you actually die from the diseases your body is unable to fight off because of your compromised immune system.

While there are many medications that have helped AIDS victims live much longer lives than AIDS patients in the 90s, the disease is ultimately fatal and symptoms may not appear for several months after infection.  When they do appear, the symptoms are usually flu-like and appear along with swollen glands.  You can get tested for the disease by visiting your doctor or by calling the National AIDS hotline at 1-800-342-2437.

You may think that STDs won’t affect you, but the reality is that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there are more than 15 million new cases of STDs reported each year.  They also estimate that there are about 19 million new infections each year when accounting for those who aren’t even aware they have the disease.  So, use caution when chasing the skirts and keep yourself protected so you don’t become another statistic.