STD Testing Specialist

What is STD testing?

STD testing detects the viruses, bacteria, and parasites transmitted between partners during vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

You may not have symptoms for months after you become infected, and once symptoms appear, they may be so mild or last such a brief time you won't notice them. For these reasons, you need STD testing, or you won’t know you have an infection.

When should I get STD testing?

The following guidelines can help you decide when to get STD testing:

Women younger than 25

If you're sexually active and younger than 25, you should get tested yearly. Teens and young adults between the ages of 15-24 account for more than half of all STD cases.

Women 25 and older

Women aged 25 and older should have STD testing every year if they have new or multiple partners or a partner diagnosed with an STD.

Pregnant women

Pregnant women should get STD testing early in their pregnancy. An untreated STD may cause preterm birth, a low birth weight baby, and even stillbirth. 

Additionally, women can pass HIV, chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea to their babies during delivery. Therefore, Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology routinely performs STD testing when providing prenatal care.

What infections does STD testing detect?

STD testing can find different types of sexually transmitted infections, including:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• Genital herpes
• Trichomoniasis
• Viral hepatitis
• HIV/AIDS

HPV tops the list as the most common STD; however, your body usually clears the virus before it causes problems. Should an HPV infection develop, it causes serious issues like cervical cancer.

What symptoms develop due to STDs?

As a group, STDs may cause:

• Sores or bumps on your genitals or at the site of the infection
• Discharge from your penis or vagina
• Burning during urination (men and women)
• Pain during ejaculation
• Itching, pain, or swelling of your vagina or vulva 

You may also develop flu-like symptoms like nausea, headaches, fatigue, and a fever. 

What type of STD testing will I need?

After completing a physical exam to check for signs of an STD, your provider may perform a:

• Blood test
• Urinalysis
• PAP test
• HPV test

They may also take a sample of tissues from your vagina, sores, or inside your cheek. Each type of STD needs a different test, so your provider chooses to perform one or more based on your symptoms, risk factors, and if you know the type of STD you were exposed to.

If you have questions or need to schedule STD testing, call Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology or book an appointment online today.