According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s STI prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates, 1 in 5 people in the United States have a sexually transmitted infection (STIs). And almost half of these new STI cases were among youth aged 15 to 24. For many, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or ashamed when it comes to talking about sexual health, but the truth is that we all need to take control of our sexual health.
Regular testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is one way to stay on top of your sexual health and protect yourself and your partners. Let’s break down some of the benefits of regular STD testing.
Peace of mind
One of the biggest benefits of regular testing is peace of mind. For instance, the CDC recommends testing for HIV for all adults and adolescents from ages 13 to 64. Additionally, all sexually active women younger than 25 years should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year. These ages are particularly young and therefore alarmingly prone to risk factors, but knowing that your STD test results can be reassuring and gives you more control over your own sexual health.
If there is a problem, it can be addressed quickly before it becomes worse and treatment can begin right away. Having this peace of mind allows you to have healthier relationships with people because you know that you are not putting them at risk.
Early detection and treatment
Regular STD testing can help detect STDs early on so that they can be treated before they become more serious or worse, spread to other people. Most STDs can be treated with antibiotics or antivirals, although some may require more invasive treatments such as surgery or hormone therapy. Early detection and treatment helps ensure that the infection does not become worse or spread to other people, which is important for both physical and mental health.
In addition, regular STD testing prevents further spread of infections to others who may not even know they are at risk for an infection until it shows up in test results during routine medical exams or screenings. Therefore, regular testing helps protect others from potential infection as well as yourself from being re-exposed.
It also reduces any stigma associated with STDs since those who get tested regularly demonstrate that they are taking responsibility for their sexual health.
Many STDs cause serious long-term damage if left untreated—in some cases leading to infertility or death—so early detection is key. With regular testing, any infections can be caught quickly and treated promptly before they become dangerous or life-threatening conditions.
Cost savings
Regular STD checks also saves money in the long run by catching problems early on before they become worse and require more expensive treatments or medications. Treating an infection in its early stages is often much less expensive than waiting until it has progressed further, which means regular testing could potentially save you thousands in medical bills down the line.
How often should you get tested?
The frequency of testing depends on your age, sexual history, lifestyle choices and a variety of factors, but generally speaking it’s recommended that sexually active individuals should get tested every 3-6 months (or annually if there are no new partners).
If you do decide to test more frequently than once a year then make sure you are being tested for all STDs including HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, hepatitis B & C, herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 & HSV-2), trichomoniasis, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
Protect yourself and your sexual health
When it comes to your sexual health, there’s no reason to wait. Getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases and infections should be part of your regular healthcare routine – you deserve peace of mind and the assurance that you are in peak physical health.
At Nao Medical, we offer confidential STD testing services so you can check up on your body with confidence and ease. We make our services accessible to everyone and back them up with excellent customer support for any questions or concerns that may come up about your visit. Walk into one of our urgent care locations or schedule a visit to get tested.
