How often you should get tested for STDs and STDs is different for everyone and depends on many personal aspects related to your sex life. In general, annual testing is the bare minimum for sexually active adults, but there are some exceptions to this rule. In this blog you will find some more specific information based on your age, relationship status and more.
How often should I get tested for STDs if I’m a virgin?
Even if you haven’t had sex yet, it’s a good idea to get tested before becoming sexually active. If you are not a virgin, but your partner says he is, it is still a good idea to get tested as well. There are several STDs that can be transmitted through means other than sexual intercourse, so being a virgin does not necessarily mean you are STD-free.
How often should I get tested for STDs if I am not in a relationship?
If you are not currently sexually active but have been in the past, you should get tested, even if you were tested immediately after your last sexual encounter or relationship. It can sometimes take months for viruses to show up as positive results on certain tests. It is good to get tested after you have not been sexually active for a while.
It’s also a good idea to get tested if you’re currently having casual sex with at least one partner. Ideally, you would get tested before having sex with your partner(s), and they would have done the same, but that’s not always the way it happens. Getting tested once a year may be too infrequent if you are someone who is likely to have more than one new partner during that year, especially if you don’t practice safer sex while doing so.
How often should I get tested for STDs if I am in a relationship?
If you are about to enter a monogamous relationship, you should both get tested before becoming sexually active. If you’re in a monogamous relationship, it’s a good idea to test annually, just in case.
How often should I be tested for STDs if I have no complaints?
Obviously, if you ever experience symptoms that could be related to an STD, you should get tested immediately, regardless of your relationship status. However, just because you don’t experience any symptoms doesn’t mean you’re free from STDs. Many STDs and STDs are asymptomatic, meaning that you will not experience any kind of symptoms even if you have contracted the infection.
What should I get tested for?
It’s a good idea to get tested for the most common STDs every time you get tested, including chlamydia and gonorrhea. If you experience specific STD symptoms, tell your doctor or contact a testing center. Many STDs have symptoms that overlap or can be mistaken for other things. So it is best to get tested for possible causes of the symptoms.
The CDC also offers specific recommendations for certain populations:
- All adults and adolescents aged 13 to 64 should be tested for HIV at least once. HIV testing should continue to be part of your regular testing routine if you engage in behaviors that put you at risk for HIV transmission, such as having unprotected sex or using intravenous medications with shared needles.
- Sexually active women age 25 and younger should be tested annually for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Women over 25 years with risk factors (new or multiple sex partners or a sex partner who tested positive for an STD) have them tested annually for gonorrhea and chlamydia.
- Sexually active gay and bisexual men should be tested at least annually for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. Those with high risk behavior (multiple or anonymous partners should be tested more frequently (3 to 6 months).
- If you are pregnant, it is recommended that you get tested for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, chlamydia and gonorrhea early on and repeat the tests throughout your pregnancy to protect yourself and your baby.
Regardless of the recommendations based on your age, sexual activity or relationship status, you are the only one who knows how often you should get tested and how important it is to protect your health and that of your partners.