7 STIs and 7 Candidiasis-causing Agents in Urine Panel (Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida: albicans, krusei, glabrata, dubliniensis, parapsilosis, tropicalis, lusitaniae)

Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted infection agents. Chlamydia infection can often be asymptomatic, especially in its early stages. It affects both men and women and can harm various body parts, including the genitals, rectum, and throat. Without symptoms, untreated chlamydia infection can lead to serious complications such as infertility, chronic infections, and Reiter's syndrome. Initial symptoms appear 1-3 weeks after infection. Women may experience abnormal vaginal discharge, pain during urination, bleeding between periods, and pain during intercourse. Men may experience abnormal discharge from the penis, pain during urination, and testicular pain and swelling. Regular check-ups and prompt treatment are crucial to avoid complications and reduce the risk of infecting others.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae - Gonorrhea is a widespread infection transmitted through oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Symptoms typically appear 1-14 days after sexual contact with an infected person. Most women do not exhibit symptoms, but there may be bleeding between periods or during intercourse, pain, or burning during urination. If undetected, untreated, or improperly treated, the infection can spread to the upper genital tract, leading to complicated gonococcal infections that cause pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility in women, and penile edema, epididymitis in men.

Mycoplasma genitalium - This bacterium most often infects the urethra and cervix, and the infection it causes can be asymptomatic. In some cases, untreated infection can lead to more serious complications, such as urethritis or cervicitis, infertility.

Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum - These bacteria can naturally be found in the genital organs (uterus, ovaries, prostate gland), usually causing no symptoms or diseases. In certain cases, they may cause infections and symptoms that vary depending on which part of the genital organs is affected pathologically.

Trichomonas vaginalis - The most widespread non-viral sexually transmitted pathogen worldwide. T. vaginalis can cause abnormal vaginal discharge (trichomoniasis) in women, and in men, it accounts for 10~12% of all non-gonococcal urethritis cases. The infection can be asymptomatic in at least 50% of women and 70~80% of men.

Candidiasis is a very common condition that affects up to 75% of women at least once in their lifetime. It is most commonly caused by Candida albicans; however, other Candida species such as krusei, glabrata, dubliniensis, parapsilosis, tropicalis, lusitaniae may appear. Typical symptoms of candidiasis include itching, vaginal pain, pain during intercourse, external dysuria, and abnormal vaginal discharge. In men, redness and itching of the glans, white discharge under the foreskin, bad odor, and pain during intercourse occur. If untreated, inflammations recur, potentially leading to secondary bacterial infections, urinary tract infections, and reproductive system complications.