Do I Need to Get Tested for STIs?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are more common than many people realize, especially among young adults. Even if you don't have any symptoms, the CDC recommends regular testing for anyone who may be at risk. Knowing your status is one of the best ways to protect your health and the health of your partner.

Do I need to get tested for STIs?

If you check yes to one or more, you need to get tested:

• I’m under 25 & sexually active

• I’ve had unprotected sex

• I have a new sexual partner

• I have been forced to have intercourse without consent

The CDC recommends yearly chlamydia and gonorrhea testing for women 25 years or younger. Whether you’re at Mizzou, in Columbia, or anywhere in Mid-Missouri, we're here to help. Our medical team provides free testing and treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea at no cost to our clients. If you would like to receive the whole panel of testing, we refer to the Columbia Health Department. Make an appointment today or contact My Life Clinic in Columbia, MO, to learn more.

Because many STDs do not show symptoms, you may not even know you are infected. Below are some of the most common STDs and the characteristics associated with each. While most STDs and STIs are treatable, some have long-lasting side effects. Early detection is essential not only for your own health but to ensure you don’t continue to spread the infection to others.

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The Most Commonly Treated STDs

Chlamydia 

Chlamydia is one of the most common STDs, with more than 90 million cases reported each year globally, and more than half of those cases occur in women. If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), putting women at high risk for infertility and ectopic pregnancies. While chlamydia is treatable with antibiotics, many women never experience any symptoms.

Gonorrhea

The main symptom of gonorrhea is a thick discharge from the penis or vagina. However, approximately 50% of women will not experience any symptoms at all. Gonorrhea may also infect the rectum, throat, eyes, blood, skin, and joints. Side effects include painful urination, painful sexual intercourse in women, vaginal bleeding between periods and after sex, testicular pain, and more.

Most strains of gonorrhea can be cured, but there is a new strain that is currently resistant to all antibiotics.

HPV

HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, is the most common STD. There are more than 100 strains of HPV, and most of those strains exhibit no symptoms. While some cases of HPV will disappear over time, some can cause cervical cancer and other types of cancer. HPV warts (genital warts, common warts, plantar warts, etc.) may be treated in various ways, but cancer-causing HPV must be monitored and cannot be cured with antibiotics.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis affects about 5 million people in the US every year. It is one of the most common causes of vaginal infections in women and can also cause urethra infections in men. A large amount of a thin, often foul-smelling discharge from the vagina — which might be clear, white, gray, yellow, or green, genital redness, burning and itching, pain with urination or sex, and discomfort over the lower stomach area. In men, trichomoniasis rarely causes symptoms. Men can experience itching or irritation inside the penis, burning with urination or after ejaculation, and discharge from the penis.

While trichomoniasis can be contracted sexually, it can also live on infected objects, which makes it even easier to contract.

Your Next Steps

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and have been sexually active or have an abortion appointment scheduled, you need to get tested immediately. 

Contact My Life Clinic to learn more about our free services in Columbia, MO, and how we can help. 

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References:

Chlamydia - STD information from CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/default.htm

STD Facts - Gonorrhea. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea.htm

Trichomoniasis - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic. (2022, May 17). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/trichomoniasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378609

HPV infection - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic. (2021, October 12). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hpv-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20351596