(CNN) America is in the middle of an epidemic of sexually transmitted infections , and when it comes to heterosexual transmission, it's hitting women the hardest. Many men and women with STDs never have symptoms and have no idea they are infected. "Even the most sophisticated expert clinicians end up scratching their heads about the cause of 20% or 30% of women's vaginal discharge," Handsfield said. What's not a reason for the high rates of STDs in women, experts say, is the sexist attitude that women who get these diseases must somehow be more sexually promiscuous than men. "Spotting between periods and spotting after sex is high risk of an inflamed cervix due to STDs," Handsfield said.

Source: CNN October 24, 2019 13:06 UTC