STDs affect about 1 in 5 people in the United States. The good news? Treatments are available. The key is knowing you have an STD in the first place. Testing is quick, painless, and much less awkward than finding out you gave someone something you didn’t know you had.
Some STDs don’t have symptoms, so don’t wait for a red flag before getting tested if you have known STD risk factors. STD testing is about self-care, keeping yourself and your partner healthy, having confidence, and maintaining peace of mind.
See our holistic obstetrics and gynecology specialists at Holistic OB/GYN & Midwifery in Spring Valley, New York, to schedule STD testing and seek treatment if necessary.
STD testing at Holistic OB/GYN & Midwifery is an easy and fast process. We discuss your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle habits, and risk factors. They offer physical and pelvic exams when necessary and have you complete blood testing, urine tests, or a swab.
STD testing can screen for herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, human papillomavirus (HPV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis, trichomoniasis, and numerous other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Anyone having unprotected sexual intercourse (oral, vaginal, or anal sex) can contract STDs from an infected partner. While using a condom lessens your chance of developing an STD, it’s not 100% effective.
Your risk of STDs increases if you have:
Some STDs are passed to others via blood contact through sharing needles or an infected mother passing an STD to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth.
The frequency with which you may need STD testing depends on your medical history, lifestyle habits, and other risk factors. Your OB/GYN specialist suggests STD testing for everyone at least once. Consider testing if you become pregnant and before having sex with a new partner.
Women should have a Pap test to screen for cancerous changes in their cervix at least once every three years beginning at age 21. After age 30, consider an HPV test along with a Pap smear every five years, or a Pap test or an HPV test every three years.
If you’ve recently undergone STD treatment, we may recommend retesting a few months later. Your partner also needs treatment.
In general, individuals with a high risk of developing STDs should be tested at least once yearly, as often as every few months. We let you know how often to test based on your health history and lifestyle. Get tested right away if you develop symptoms of an STD.
Contact your Holistic OB/GYN & Midwifery provider if you notice the following symptoms of a possible STD:
If you’re not sure if your symptoms warrant STD testing, contact the Holistic OB/GYN & Midwifery office, where our experts happily answer your questions over the phone.
Schedule STD testing with our Holistic OB/GYN & Midwifery specialists today by calling the office or booking an appointment online.
