It’s not uncommon to notice some irritation, discharge, or other symptoms and hope they’ll just go away. And sometimes, they do. But when it comes to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), disappearing symptoms don’t always mean the infection is gone. In fact, the opposite is often true: many STIs can persist in the body long after visible symptoms fade — and some never cause symptoms at all.
The idea that STIs can resolve without treatment is a dangerous myth. While the body can clear certain infections naturally, most require medication to fully eliminate — and delaying care can lead to serious complications.
Which STIs Might Go Away on Their Own?
There are a few STIs that your immune system may be able to suppress or clear without medical treatment. These include:
- HPV: Most low-risk HPV infections clear on their own within 1–2 years, especially in people under 30. However, high-risk strains can persist and lead to cancer if not detected early.
- Trichomoniasis: Rare cases may resolve without medication, but this is unpredictable and not recommended as a strategy. Reinfection is common.
- Herpes (HSV): Outbreaks may stop, but the virus remains in the body. While you might go months or years without symptoms, it’s still contagious and not “gone.”
In each of these cases, even if symptoms resolve, the infection may still be present — and can still be transmitted to others. The only way to know for sure is to get tested and follow medical guidance.
STIs That Require Treatment
Most bacterial STIs and some viral ones need medication to fully clear. Without treatment, they may linger silently or cause long-term damage. These include:
- Chlamydia: Often symptomless but can lead to infertility or pelvic inflammatory disease if untreated.
- Gonorrhea: Symptoms may fade, but the bacteria can remain active in the body.
- Syphilis: Early symptoms can disappear, but the infection progresses to more dangerous stages without antibiotics.
- HIV: Symptoms may not show up for years, but the virus is active and causes damage unless managed with medication.
- Hepatitis B & C: Some people clear these naturally, but others develop chronic infections that harm the liver.
- Mycoplasma genitalium: Often requires a combination of antibiotics and can persist without obvious symptoms.
Even when symptoms improve, the infection can stay active in the background. That’s why it’s so important to test after potential exposure — and follow through with the right treatment plan if needed.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait It Out
Hoping an STI will resolve on its own is risky. During that time, you could unknowingly transmit the infection to others or allow it to cause more harm in your body. Some of the consequences of delayed treatment include:
- Increased risk of infertility or chronic pelvic pain
- Higher likelihood of passing the infection to others
- Progression of syphilis to the nervous system or heart
- Missed opportunity for early, effective treatment
How to Know If You’re in the Clear
The only way to know whether an STI has gone away — or whether you had one in the first place — is to get tested. STI tests are designed to detect active infections, even in people who feel completely fine. Some providers also offer follow-up tests after treatment to confirm the infection is cleared.
If you’ve recently had unprotected sex, changed partners, or experienced symptoms that have since faded, getting tested is the best next step. Most tests are quick, affordable, and available discreetly from home or in-person clinics.
Final Thoughts
While some STIs may resolve without treatment, many don’t — and even those that do can still cause harm if they go undetected. Disappearing symptoms should never be taken as a sign that you’re in the clear. Testing gives you clarity, protects your health, and helps prevent transmission to others.
Need help figuring out where to start? Visit our Compare Tests page to explore trusted at-home STI tests and lab-based services.