STD testing is essential for anyone who is sexually active, especially those who have multiple sexual partners. There are certain preventive measures that can help you practice safer sex by preventing pregnancy; However, these methods do not protect against STDs. If you don’t use condoms, you may be at risk for both pregnancy and STDs. Even if you haven’t had penetrative sex with someone, there is still a risk of STD transmission from other related sexual acts. There are a number of different tests depending on what your symptoms or risk factors are. In some cases, you may not even get any signs or symptoms. It is possible to have an STD without being aware of it. Having an STD for a long time without treatment can lead to many other problems. Sexually transmitted diseases are more common than many people think. Let’s take a deeper look at STD testing, what it entails, and who should be tested.
What is STD testing?
More than 19 million new STD infections occur in the US every year. Half of all sexually active people will contract an STD during their lifetime. If these STDs are not detected and treated in time, they can cause all kinds of serious problems. Some of these problems include:
- Organ damage
- Blindness
- Cancer
- Infertility
The only way to know for sure if you have an STD is to get tested. Unfortunately, many people are not tested and treated quickly enough. This usually has to do with the stigma attached to STDs and STD testing, or the fact that they may not know they have an STD. If you are sexually active, you can make your sexual health a priority by getting tested for STDs.
During a regular check-up you should not assume that you will be tested for STDs. Usually, even with a gynecological examination, you should ask for an STD test and inquire what tests are being done. You must remember that doctors cannot help you if you are not open with them. Taking care of your sexual health is crucial, so don’t be shy if you think you’ve been exposed. Being as honest as possible can help you get the right treatment.
Home STD testing
If you prefer to test yourself at home, make sure the kit you use is FDA approved and then send your samples to a reputable laboratory. If you don’t, these tests can sometimes be unreliable. Home tests can have a tendency to produce a high number of false positive results. If you test positive after a home test, it is a good idea to contact a doctor or health care provider to confirm that you have the STD. If your test is negative but you still have symptoms, it may still be a good idea to see a doctor. Although home tests can save you some embarrassment, it is more accurate to get tested at your doctor’s office or at a clinic. This saves you time and money and ensures that you are treated as quickly as possible. Remember that STDs are very common among sexually active adults. No one is judging you for being proactive about your sexual health.
Where you can get tested
If you want to be tested by a professional, there are a number of places you can go. You can go to your local Planned Parenthood, another clinic, or a private health care provider.
What you can be tested for
There are many different STDs you can get tested for. Discussing your sexual history with your doctor will give you an idea of what types of tests you should undergo. Here are some STDs:
- Syphilis
- Hepatitis B
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
You should usually ask to be tested for herpes, as doctors don’t usually test for it. Your doctor will only know what to test you for if you are honest about your risk factors. Risk factors include:
- You and your partner have other sexual partners
- Known exposure to STDs, or suspected exposure
- Medicines you are taking
- Types of protection used during different types of sexual activities
This can be hard to talk about, but your health should be a priority. If you prefer, you can usually bring a friend or partner for support.
Questions you can ask during a screening
Because it is important to know as much as possible about your health and sexual history before testing, you will be asked a number of questions. These may include:
- When was your last menstrual period?
- Whether you have used over-the-counter medicines to treat the symptoms
- Whether you have had an STD before
- How many sexual partners you have and what protection you use
Being honest with your healthcare provider is critical to getting the right tests and treatment. It may be tempting to lie for fear that they will judge you, but you will only hurt yourself if you do so.
Potential STD symptoms
There are a number of symptoms that may indicate that you have an STD. These include sores in the genital area, discharge, itching and burning. You may also notice a strange odor. You should keep in mind that you will not always show symptoms. Many people do not know that they have an STD, because the infections are often asymptomatic. That’s why it’s so important to get tested if you’ve ever had unprotected sex, no matter how long ago.
How you get tested
The way you are tested depends on what you suspect or what you are being tested for. Some worry that it will be painful or uncomfortable, but you can test for many STDs with a simple blood or urine sample. Please note that these may not be reliable at detecting some STDs. You may need to have had the infection for more than a month before it shows up in your blood test. In some cases it may be better if you are examined by your doctor. They will be looking for telltale signs, but you should also let them know if you have noticed any changes around your genitals yourself. Cotton swabs can also be used to detect STDs. You may have your genitals swabbed or the inside of your mouth tested for saliva. That depends, but depending on the circumstances, your doctor may allow you to take a smear test yourself.
Some people think that they are automatically tested when they undergo a gynecological exam or when their doctor orders another type of test. This is not the case. You should ask to be tested for STDs and let your doctor know why you think you should be tested. If you are unsure, ask exactly what you are being tested for. Don’t be afraid to request a test form if you think you need it.
When should you be tested?
There are a number of different circumstances in which you should consider getting tested. For example, if you are about to start a new relationship, it is a good idea to get tested first. If your partner has cheated on you, or if you are thinking about not using condoms anymore, you should get tested. Even if you have complaints from an STD or have multiple partners, these are good reasons to get tested.
The only time you may not need regular testing is if you are in a long-term, monogamous relationship and you have both been tested for STDs beforehand. If you have not been tested beforehand, there is a possibility that you have had an undiagnosed STD for some time. It’s more common to encounter this than you might think.
Achieving your results
If you test positive for an STD, you should receive treatment as recommended by your healthcare provider. You may need to take an antibiotic. If your STD is serious, in some cases there is no cure and you just have to learn to deal with the symptoms. It is also your responsibility to tell your sexual partners that you have an STD. You can easily pass on infections, so it’s important to make sure they’re tested and treated as well. If you don’t, they could develop serious health problems. You can also have a nurse pass it on to your partners. Your name will then not be used.
It is normal to feel very emotional after finding out you have an STD. You may feel upset, angry, or ashamed of yourself. You shouldn’t beat yourself up about it. Learn from your mistakes and be happy that you did the right thing by getting tested. You can talk to your doctor or nurse about any other sexual health problems you have. They can refer you to external services if you require further support.
After you test positive and receive treatment, you may need to be tested again to make sure you don’t have an STD. This can happen, for example, in chlamydia cases. You should complete the course of treatment and ensure that your partners have done so before engaging in sexual activity again. If you engage in sexual activity with a partner before treatment is completed, there is a chance that the STD may remain in your body. This can cause problems later. You will need to go back to your healthcare provider to discuss this. Please note that your results and information are always stored in a secure database.
Taking care of your sexual health has never been more important than it is now. With a large number of new infections emerging every year, taking care of yourself should be your priority.