If you’re at the point where you’re asking yourself if it’s time to get tested for STDs, then the answer is probably “yes”. But I realize that’s not a helpful answer, and that it’s up to you to decide what’s best for your body. So, let’s see if getting tested is the right choice for you by talking about your likelihood of exposure, why you might choose to get tested, and the different ways you can get testing done.
What are the chances I’ve already been exposed to an infection?
All partnered sexual activities contain some level or risk. That’s why, statistically, 50% of people who are sexually active will contract an STD by the age of 25. Some of those STDs will be curable, some of them will be long-term, and others will be life-long infections. The older you get, the higher the likelihood that you will contract an STD becomes. From a numbers perspective, if you’re sexually active and you and your partner(s) were not both abstinent beforehand (meaning no manual, oral, or penetrative sex ever), being exposed to an STD is pretty likely.
The activities you choose to do with a partner can also impact your likelihood of being exposed to an infection. Think back to the sexual activities you’ve engaged in and ask yourself the following questions: Did your skin touch theirs? Was there an exposure to bodily fluids like saliva, genital secretions (cum, semen, discharge, precum), or maybe blood? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you might have been exposed to an STD.
For a more comprehensive look at specific activities and their risk, see this post.
Lastly, how are you feeling physically? Have you noticed something on your skin that wasn’t there before? Have you been itchy? Are you experiencing discharge that isn’t normal for you? Do you feel a bit under the weather, do you have a fever, or maybe you’ve noticed swollen glands or lymph nodes? Basically, if you’ve noticed something irregular with your body, visually or otherwise, it could be a sign or symptom of a new infection. If you have any visual symptoms, then it’s important to get those checked out before they go away, because even if the symptoms go away, an infection could still be in your body.
However, it’s extremely important to take into account that the most common symptom of all STDs is no symptom at all. That’s why most people don’t know they have an infection until they get tested. So, if you haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary, you still might have been exposed to an STD.
Ok, so I think I might want to get tested, but I don’t know where to go?
Once you’ve decided that you’d like to get tested for STDs, you have a few choices to consider based on your resources and your geographic location. There are three options to choose from when it comes to clinics that specialize in STD testing: free STD testing centers, income-based STD testing clinics, and private STD testing companies.
Free STD Testing Centers
If you are in the US, you can use the CDC’s STD testing locator to find your nearest health department, health center, or community clinic. Their interactive site also shows you which tests will be offered at each location. The obvious benefit to free testing is that it doesn’t cost you anything. Although, sometimes centers that offer free tests are limited to the number of tests they offer. There are 30+ sexually transmitted infections, according to the World Health Organization, and free clinics typically only test for 3-5 infections. So, make sure to ask which tests are offered when you go.
If you are outside of the US, see The STD Project’s page to find an STD testing location near you.
Income-Based STD Testing Clinics
Then there are specialized health clinics, like Planned Parenthood, which typically offer STD testing on a sliding scale. The benefit of these locations is that you can get STD tests done along with other services, like pap smears, or birth control options, for example. Many of the specialized health clinics will take your insurance as well, so if your insurance plan covers STD testing, you could also get part of your co-pay waived or reduced. Otherwise, your cost will be based on your current income. These clinics tend to offer a few more testing options, but as with the free testing centers, it’s important to know which tests you’ve been given.
Private STD Testing Companies
Private testing providers are sometimes an appealing alternative to free or income-based clinics, because they are anonymous, and some of their tests can be done right from the comfort of your own home. Private providers often have the largest selection of available tests, but the biggest downfall to this approach is their price point – each specific test comes with a cost. Bundles are offered for people interested in getting an STD panel done, and some companies take private insurance if you have it, but it’s usually not the most budget friendly solution.
Finally, you can also request to get STD testing done by your primary care physician, whether or not you have insurance – however, it’s important to ask about which tests are being performed and to also consult with your insurance provider ahead of time to make sure your tests are covered by your insurance plan, because lab work and STD tests can add up quickly. As a result, sometimes folks feel like the simpler approach is to go to a clinic that specializes in STD testing, but either option works. It’s up to you to decide what kind of testing is right for you based on your possible risk of exposure and which option is going to best match your resources.