Who Should be Tested for STIs and How Often?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common — a lot more common than most people realize — yet many go unnoticed because early symptoms are often mild or altogether absent. Without regular screening, infections can linger for months or even years, eventually taking a major toll on your health — and the health of your partners, too.

Fortunately, most STIs can be treated with a simple course of medication, and those that can’t be eradicated can be managed with the right treatment plan. E. Jacob Simhaee, MD, FACOG, offers a brief overview of the most current testing guidelines, so you can play a more proactive, effective role in your health and your future.

Benefits of testing

Regular STI testing is an important part of staying healthy, but before you make screening part of your regular health routine, you probably want to know the “why” behind it. When it comes to STI testing, there are lots of reasons why it’s so important for your current and future health.

Symptoms can be subtle

When most of us think of STIs, we think of obvious symptoms, like sores, burning sensations, or discharge. But in their early stages, lots of STI symptoms are barely noticeable — or (as noted earlier) even completely absent. Regular testing detects STIs early when treatment is simplest and most effective.

Infections are very contagious

Because STIs can be subtle and easy to miss, it’s also easy to spread an infection to your partner unknowingly. By “catching” infections early, you can take steps to protect your partner and your relationship.

Early treatment means better outcomes

Like any other type of infection, STIs respond best and fastest to early treatment, before more complex complications have a chance to “take root.” Early testing supports early diagnosis and treatment, as well as a faster return to health.

Unmanaged infections can lead to serious complications

On the other hand, when treatment is delayed, STIs can worsen, causing an array of complications, including infertility, heart or brain damage, and even cancer. STIs can also cause pregnancy complications, like miscarriage and health problems for the developing baby.

Guidelines for testing: Who and when

The CDC offers guidelines to help patients and doctors decide which testing is appropriate based on age and other risk factors. Under the current guidelines, the CDC recommends these screenings for sexually active women:

• HIV screening at least once and more frequently for people with risk factors
• Annual screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea for women 25 and younger
• Annual screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea for women over 25 who have risk factors
• HPV screening every three years
• Hepatitis C screening for those 18 or older
• Hepatitis B screening for those with increased risk factors
• Syphilis screening for women at increased risk of infection
• Herpes screening for women seeking general STI screening
• Trichomonas screening for women at increased risk of infection

Risk factors may include relationship factors, such as the number of partners or new partners, or working, living, or visiting settings where exposure is more likely, such as hospitals or prisons. Often, we recommend a series of tests for anyone who visits us for a general STI screening.

For pregnancy, the CDC recommends screening for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and C, chlamydia, and gonorrhea starting early in pregnancy, particularly for women with risk factors for these infections.

Of course, it’s also important to schedule a screening if you exhibit any symptoms of infection, like vaginal discharge, burning or itching sensations, swelling, pain during urination, persistent lower back pain, or sores around your vagina, anus, or mouth.

Screening is simple, quick, and confidential

STIs can typically be diagnosed with a blood test or urine test, or from a sample of discharge fluid or (less commonly) tissue. Best of all, it’s one of the simplest and best ways to protect your health and improve your confidence and peace of mind. 

To schedule your screening, request an appointment online or by phone with Dr. Simhaee and his team at his practices in Manhasset and Forest Hills, New York, today.