When Should I Get An STD Test?

Regular STD testing is the only way to know for sure if you have an STD. While it’s important to get tested if you are experiencing any potential STD symptoms, you should always get tested at least once a year if you are sexually active. If you don’t always have protected sex, you should get tested every six months.  

STD testing can get expensive, especially if you are paying without insurance. Luckily, Mira offers discounted STD testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, and more. For only $45 a month, you’ll get access to same-day STD testing, as well as other lab tests like Vitamin D, A1c, and lipid panels. Protect yourself and others - sign up for Mira today. 

When Should I Get An STD Test?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are highly prevalent in the United States, especially among those aged 15 to 24. The CDC estimates that in 2018 alone, there were 26 million new cases of STDs. If you are sexually active, it's essential to get tested regularly for STDs to keep you and those around you safe.

In general, as a sexually active person, you should be getting tested at least once a year. However, if you engage in unprotected sex, you should be getting tested at least every six months. If you had unprotected sex, make sure to wait a few weeks before getting tested, as some STDs do not show up right away. 

In addition to getting tested for STDs, women and men should get vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV virus is the most common STD in women and can lead to cervical cancer. HPV can also affect men and cause penile cancer or cancer in the back of the throat. 

When Men Should Get an STD Test

STDs can affect men and women very differently. Men tend to notice symptoms of an STD more frequently than women because symptoms, such as discharge and ulcers, are often unusual to their typical sexual health and more noticeable. 

Heterosexual men are at low risk for contracting STDs as long as they wear condoms. For this reason, it's recommended that heterosexual men get tested at least once a year for STDs. However, sexually active bisexual men, gay men, and other men who have sex with men are at greater risk of contracting STDs. If they have more than one sexual partner, they should be tested every 3 to 6 months for gonorrhea or syphilis. They should also make sure to get tested for HIV at least once a year. It is essential to talk to your doctor to figure out how often you should be tested for STDs. 

When Women Should Get an STD Test

As mentioned above, women are more susceptible overall to both STDs and STIs. In terms of anatomy, the skin of the vagina is much thinner than the skin on the penis, making it easier to contract a bacterial infection. Women also may mistake symptoms of STDs for something else. For example, women may think that unusual discharge is caused by a yeast infection rather than an STD. Women may also face more severe health consequences from untreated STDs, such as infertility. 

Therefore, the CDC recommends that all sexually active women under the age of 25 get tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia at least once a year. This recommendation may change depending on the number of sexual partners and whether women engage in protected sex. Pregnant women should be tested for STDs during the early phase of their pregnancy and continue to do so if they are at risk.