Why Talk to Me About STDs?
No one wants to talk about having a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It’s embarrassing. But in 2022, more than 2.5 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported in the United States, according to the CDC. That number doesn’t include those already infected.
Anyone who has sex can get an STD. The groups most affected are young people aged 15 to 24, pregnant women, and certain racial and minority groups. Left untreated, STDs can lead to an increased risk of getting or giving HIV, long-term pelvic (abdominal) pain, or the inability to get pregnant or pregnancy complications.
What Are the Symptoms of an STD?
Some STDs are asymptomatic. This means they have no recognizable symptoms. No symptoms means no reason to test, right? Wrong. Regular testing is vital to your sexual health. Anyone who engages in sexual activity, regardless of age, should be tested. Testing is especially critical before you have sex with a new partner or multiple partners.
Possible Symptoms
The following are some symptoms you might experience with the more common STDs:
- Painful or burning sensation when urinating
- Discharge from the vagina
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Lower abdominal pain
- Anal or vaginal itching
- Heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods
How Do I Prevent an STD?
No contraception is 100% foolproof in protecting you from an STD. Condoms and other barrier methods reduce the risk but don’t eliminate it. Abstinence is the only way to ensure you don’t contract an STD. Both partners should get tested even if you are engaging in a monogamous relationship.
People hesitate to share whether they have an STD or not. Even if you ask, your partner may not tell you the truth.
Where Can I Get Tested?
Often, healthcare providers don’t include STD testing in regular checkups. At First Choice Pregnancy Center, we make your sexual health a priority. We offer STD testing and treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea, plus testing for syphilis, herpes, and HIV. There’s a small fee for STD testing. We can have your STD results ready in as little as two business days.
Contact us for discreet, low-cost testing. It’s easy and harmless. Your test results remain confidential, and we promise there will be no judgment or shame—you and your health matter to us. Schedule your appointment today.
