The practice has a no show/late cancellation policy of $50.00
STD testing is essential for protecting your health because these infections are on the rise. Between 2015 and 2019, chlamydia cases increased by 15%, gonorrhea rose by 56%, and syphilis went up by 74%. The experienced OB/GYN team at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology supports the health of you, your partner, and future babies by performing STD testing and implementing treatment to heal your infection. If you need to schedule STD testing, call the office in Atlanta or Alpharetta, Georgia, or book a consultation online today.
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.
The following guidelines can help you decide when to get STD testing:
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 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 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.
STD testing can find different types of sexually transmitted infections, including:
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.
As a group, STDs may cause:
You may also develop flu-like symptoms like nausea, headaches, fatigue, and a fever.
After completing a physical exam to check for signs of an STD, your provider may perform a:
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.