Different Types of STI Testing

If you are sexually active, you are prone to different types of sexually transmitted diseases. If you have multiple partners, you should be asking questions about the risks and the tests that you should be having regularly because getting tested is so important. You might have an STD without knowing it. In many cases, having an STD does not manifest symptoms.

There’s specific testing for every STI. Know what types of STI testing work best for you and how often you should get tested. Please do not assume that having a pelvic exam or a Pap test is enough to detect every sexually transmitted infection. Discuss your concerns about your sexual health to your GYN or medical provider so you can get the right tests that you need.

Depending on your suspected type of infection, these are some of the types of tests you might be getting when you have an STI test:

Blood Test

• This type of test is used to diagnose HIV, herpes, and syphilis. A blood test can also tell if you have a past infection of herpes.

Urine Tests

• This type of test is used to diagnose trichomoniasis and sometimes also for gonorrhea. You will need to submit a sterile sample of your urine to be sent to the laboratory for testing.

Swab Tests

• This type of test is used to diagnose HPV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes. A sample will be taken from the site of infection.

Spinal Tap, also known as lumbar puncture

• This type of test is rarely used but can be ordered by your medical provider especially if she/he thinks that you have an advanced stage of syphilis or herpes infection that has reached your brain or spinal cord.

Home Test

• There are home test kits available for several STDs, including those for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, and syphilis. The benefit of home testing is you can be in the privacy of your home when you collect the sample. The sample may not always be accurate, but if the results come back positive, call your medical provider immediately to schedule confirmation of your results.

If you get a positive result from your STI testing, you can consider additional testing for reconfirmation. If it is confirmed that you have STI, seek treatment immediately. Also, you need to inform your sex partners. They need to get tested too, and possibly, get treated. In addition to this, if you tested negative in your tests but you have symptoms, contact your medical provider to confirm the results.

Having a positive result may make you feel ashamed and afraid, angry even. It is normal to feel these emotions. You can talk to your medical provider about any concerns that you may have.

At Doral Health and Wellness – Women’s Health Center, we have the best GYN doctor in East New York, and we provide women with quality healthcare services. To schedule an appointment, you can visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212, or call us at 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at http://www.gynecologistbrooklyn.com/.