Sexual intercourse should bring you joy and pleasure, not fear of infection. Sadly, intimate physical relationships bear the risk of disease as viruses and bacteria are easily transmitted between partners.
Whether you have one or multiple partners, you can contract a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Thus, it is important to arrange regular std testing waxahachie with your physician. Here are some common reasons why STD testing is important to your healthcare.
1. Even Virgins Can Contract an STD
Most individuals believe that only persons who have experienced sexual intercourse should undergo STD testing. However, the reality is that not all STDs need penetrative sexual contact to be transmitted.
For instance, the Human papillomavirus (HPV), syphilis, and Herpes simplex virus (HSV) can readily spread through skin-to-skin contact. Likewise, oral herpes can spread through kissing or oral sex.
2. Early Detection is Crucial for the Treatment
The thought that you may have a sexually transmitted infection is overwhelming. You might assume you can avoid getting tested because you do not experience symptoms immediately. However, this testing could be important for an early diagnosis and treatment plan.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea, for instance, are easily treatable with the right medicine, such as antibiotics. Besides, if you have an untreatable STD like AIDS, symptoms can be managed with medications.
3. Some STDs Can Cause Severe Health Concerns
If you do not undergo testing and receive treatment, your STD could result in serious health concerns later. For example, untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia can spread to the reproductive system, such as the fallopian tubes and uterus.
With time, these infections can result in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is a risk factor for infertility. Furthermore, untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia can raise your likelihood of contracting cervical cancer or HIV.
4. You Can Suffer Multiple Infections
Irrespective of whether you underwent testing and treatment before, there is still the risk of another infection. For instance, if you received treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea, and your partner did not, they may pass the STI to you.
You and your partner(s) should undergo a retest after your treatment to verify there are no traces of infection. If you are pregnant and have chlamydia, you may pass the infection to your child during childbirth. Therefore, undergoing testing beforehand is also important for you and your child.
5. You Respect Yourself and Your Sexual Partner
Respecting yourself and your partner implies caring for your sexual health. By learning you have an STD, you can be honest with your partner(s). Besides, you would wish they did the same for you.
While talking to your partner about STDs might not be the most interesting topic, it helps build trust in your relationship and helps you make informed decisions about your intimacy. Unfortunately, it is often hard to tell whether somebody has an STD by appearance. So, to be safe, it is better to get tested.
Most individuals generally assume that if they had a sexually transmitted infection or disease, they would know. However, this cannot be further from the truth. In fact, you might have an STI or STD and experience no symptoms at all.
Undergoing regular STD testing is the only surefire way to learn about your status and take charge of your sexual well-being. Therefore, consider arranging an STD test with you and your partner.
