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 STI testing 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, making regular STI testing essential for protecting your health and your partner’s.
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.
Types of STI Testing
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. Blood samples are typically drawn from a vein in your arm and sent to a lab for analysis.
Urine Tests
This test is often used to detect trichomoniasis and sometimes gonorrhea. You’ll be asked to provide a sterile sample of your urine, which is then analyzed in a lab. It’s a quick, non-invasive option that’s especially common in routine STI testing.
Swab Tests
Swab tests involve taking a sample from the area where symptoms are present—such as the throat, genitals, rectum, or cervix. They are used to diagnose HPV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes. These tests can be slightly uncomfortable but are highly effective at detecting infections at the source.
Spinal Tap (Lumbar Puncture)
Rarely used, this test may be ordered by your medical provider if there is concern about an advanced stage of syphilis or herpes that has reached the brain or spinal cord. It involves collecting a sample of cerebrospinal fluid for detailed analysis.
Home Test Kits
Home test kits are available for several STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, and syphilis. These allow you to collect samples in the privacy of your own home—often via a urine sample, cheek swab, or finger prick. While convenient, home test results should be confirmed by a healthcare provider, especially if results are positive.
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/.
