Sexual Wellness – What Tests Should be Done and How Often?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately one in five people in the United States are living with a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Given that so many STIs often go unreported, the true number of people living with STIs is likely even higher.
In many cases, STIs can have mild symptoms or even no symptoms at all. However, even an STI that is largely asymptomatic can have serious health consequences for you and your partner(s) alike if left untreated. At St. Jude Labs, we are committed to helping our patients maintain optimum sexual wellness through state-of-the-art STI testing. To help you determine if STI testing is the right choice for your well-being, we’ll take a look at the various types of STI testing we offer at St. Jude Labs as well as the scenarios when it might be a good idea to get tested.
Types of STI Testing
At St. Jude Labs, we offer a variety of testing panels that are able to detect any number of STIs. Most STIs can be detected by testing a blood or urine sample, though some tests are conducted on a sample that is collected using a vaginal, cervical, or urethral swab. Through our comprehensive testing panel, we are able to test for STIs such as:
- Chancroid
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Hepatitis
- HIV
- Syphilis
When to Schedule STI Testing
There are a number of scenarios where it is recommended that a person undergo STI testing, including scenarios such as:
If You Have Multiple Sexual Partners
If you are sexually active and not in a long-term relationship with a single partner, it is a good idea to undergo STI testing on a regular basis. It is recommended that heterosexual men and women who have multiple partners should undergo STI testing at least once a year, while gay men with multiple partners are recommended to undergo STI testing once every three to six months due to their higher risk of HIV.
If You Are Starting a New Relationship
If you are entering into a committed relationship with a single partner, it is recommended that you and your partner both undergo STI testing. Getting tested for STIs at the beginning of a new relationship allows you and your partner to rest assured that both of you have a clean bill of health. After an initial STI test, there will be no need for further testing as long as you and your partner do not have sexual intercourse with any other partners.
If You Discover That Your Partner Has Cheated on You
If you find out that your partner has been with someone else within the past year, you will want to go in for STI testing even if they are the only person that you yourself have had intercourse with during that time.
If You and Your Partner Are Considering Not Using Condoms
While condoms can’t completely protect against STIs that are spread from skin-to-skin contact such as herpes and syphilis, they are 98% effective at protecting against all other types of STIs. If you and your partner have been using condoms for the duration of your relationship and are thinking of switching to unprotected sex, it is recommended that you both undergo STI testing beforehand.
If You Are Experiencing STI Symptoms
STI symptoms can come in a number of different forms. Sometimes these symptoms are barely noticeable, and other times they are impossible to ignore. If you are experiencing any concerning symptoms that might lead you to believe that you have contracted an STI, it is important to schedule testing as quickly as possible so that your condition can be diagnosed and treatment can begin.
Schedule STI Testing From St. Jude Labs
At St. Jude Labs, we take pride in our mission to keep people safe and healthy through effective STI testing. If you would like to schedule an STI testing appointment that will provide you and your partner(s) alike with invaluable peace of mind, be sure to contact us today.
