STD is nothing to be embarrassed about, once you see symptoms go for a test. Even without symptoms, get yourself checked because if you’re sexually active, you could get infected. Lots of STDs can be treated with medication. Although some STDs can’t be cured, still there are lots of ways to treat your symptoms and stop your partner or anyone you have sex with from getting infected.
Std testing can be done for free sometimes, and it can be fast and easy. It is not always a part of routine medical exams; it needs to be requested for. So make sure you ask your doctor for the test. You need to be very open with your nurse or doctor about your sexual life. This is so they can determine the best way you should get tested.
Try to get comfortable talking to your doctor about the STD test as there’s nothing to feel embarrassed about. Don’t forget that the doctors have seen almost everything and heard it all. Mostly everyone has STD at least once in their lifetime, so getting a test run is the right thing to do. It is an indication of how much you value your health.
There are different determinants of what kind of test you should run. Your nurse or doctor will ask you some of these questions below;
- Any symptoms you’ve been feeling
- If you and your sexual partner has ever had STD
- The number of people you’ve been with sexually
- The kind of sex you have indulged in either oral, anal, or vaginal.
- If you use protection and what type
- And other things that might expose you to some infections like sharing a sharp object.
The next step is your doctor choosing the best way for you to get tested. There’s no single test for every STD—each STD has its test. STD testing may include:
- A urine test that involves you peeing into a cup, then handing it over for testing.
- A cheek swab involves you putting a swab inside your cheek to test for HIV.
- A blood test where your doctor or nurse takes a little blood sample from your arm or finger.
- A physical exam in which your genitals are examined for warts, sores, rashes, irritation, or discharge.
- If any is found, the doctor or nurse will get a sample of the fluid from the sore or blister.
- A swab will be used to take discharge or cell samples from your vagina, penis, urethra, cervix, anus, or throat.
You should get tested for major STDs either you have symptoms or not. Some STDs seem alike so you should get tested for different ones. Your doctor or nurse may be able to detect if you have an STD right from the start, but some other tests take days or even weeks to produce a result. Many clinics can conduct an STD test within 20 minutes. You don’t need to feel scared as it is just as normal as any other tests as your doctor will be there to help you.