Should I get tested for STDs?
If you are sexually active, getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases is essential for your health.
Each year, the United States reports more than 20 million cases of STIs/STDs, with a disproportionate impact on women. From chlamydia to gonorrhea, syphilis, to HIV/AIDS, these infections pose serious risks to women’s health if left undetected and untreated. Additionally, many STIs/STDs can be asymptomatic, meaning individuals may unknowingly carry and transmit the infection to others.
Signs of STD/STIs
Although some sexually transmitted diseases can be asymptomatic, it’s important to know the common symptoms associated with STDs as a sign that it’s time to get tested.
Some common symptoms of STIs/STDs to look out for:
- Unusual Discharge
- Pain or Burning Sensation
- Genital Sores or Lesions
- Itching or Irritation
- Lower Abdominal Pain
- Rash or Skin Changes
- Flu-like Symptoms
- Changes in Menstrual Cycle
- Painful Swelling
The Importance of Early Detection
While some sexually transmitted diseases or infections show immediate symptoms, others can lie dormant for months or never show symptoms at all. This is why it’s so important to get regularly tested for STDs/STIs, no matter what your symptoms may be. Left untreated, these infections can lead to severe complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pain, and an increased susceptibility to other infections, including HIV.
Our Mobile Clinic provides free STI/STD testing.
Access to STI/STD testing is essential for all women, regardless of their socio-economic status, geographic location, or cultural background. At ForeveryWoman.org, we advocate for accessible and inclusive healthcare services. This is why we provide a directory of clinics and resources with FREE services across the United States.
Our For Every Woman Mobile Medical Clinic and each partner that we work with provide STD/STI testing at no cost.
Be Empowered; take control of your health.
As you age, the risk for STD/STIs increases depending on sexual activity and number of sexual partners you have. It’s important to take control of your health by knowing the risks and staying up to date on your sexual health. When it comes to engaging in sexual activity, it’s important to have uncomfortable conversations. If you or your partner knows about a sexually transmitted disease that could cause lasting effects for either party, it is imperative that this is revealed before engaging in sexual relations with each other. Birth control, like condoms or dental dams, can help to prevent the spreading of STDs among sexual partners.
We encourage you to feel empowered as a woman, get sexually tested, and have hard conversations. The most important thing about your sexual life should be your overall health, well-being, and safety.
Get Tested
If you’re sexually active, now is the perfect time to get tested for STDs/STIs. Don’t wait until symptoms appear to get informed about your sexual health. Getting tested for STDs and STIs is not something to be ashamed of; in fact, it’s the smartest thing you can do to give yourself peace of mind regarding your sexual health.
By emphasizing the importance of testing, we can empower women to take control of their sexual health and lead healthier, happier lives. Together, let’s break the silence, end the stigma, and make STI/STD testing a routine part of every woman’s healthcare journey.
Check out our online directory to see where you can get free STD testing today.
If you think you could be pregnant, know when to take a pregnancy test.
