When should I get STD testing?

Anyone who is sexually active should be tested for STDs. If you have multiple partners or engaged in unprotected sex, your screening needs are higher than someone who’s in a committed relationship with one partner. Even those in relationships should consider periodic screening.

It’s also important to seek testing if you notice any changes in your genitalia. This includes skin abnormalities, itching and burning, or discharge. However, not all STDs present clear symptoms, so testing is the only way to know for sure that you don’t have a sexually transmitted disease.

How is STD testing performed?

There are several ways to find out if you have a sexually transmitted infection. Your provider chooses the testing option that’s right for your specific symptoms or needs. Options include:

• Urine testing
• Cheek swab
• Blood test
• Testing the fluid from sores
• Physical exam
• Testing of cells from the anus, cervix, urethra, vagina, or penis

How can I prevent STDs?

The only way to fully protect against STDs is to abstain from all sexual contact, including intimate touching. The next best level of protection is to remain in a mutually monogamous relationship in which both partners are tested.

Using male or female condoms can help protect against many types of sexually transmitted diseases. However, condoms aren’t a perfect method of protection. Some diseases can spread through skin-to-skin contact or oral sex.

Information is power, and understanding the risk of sexually transmitted diseases can help you make the best possible decisions to stay healthy. If you do come in for testing and are diagnosed with an STD, Synergy Primary Clinic will help you understand your treatment options. While some STDs are incurable, many infections can be cleared up with a simple course of antibiotics.

Learn more about STD testing and your personal risk level during a face-to-face visit at Synergy Primary Clinic. Book an appointment by phone or online today.