Who Needs an STI Screening and How Often

Every person who has sex is at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some don’t even cause symptoms. Here’s how STIs spread, who needs to get screened, and how often.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are far from being a thing of the past. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), STIs are rising. Making matters worse, some STIs, namely gonorrhea, have shown resistance to antibiotics, making prevention even more critical.

Left untreated, STIs can lead to several complications, ranging from rashes to infertility, organ damage, and even cancer. Depending on your immunity, the type of infection, and how soon you detected it, you could be looking at anything from uncomfortable symptoms to life-threatening complications.

However, it doesn’t have to be this way — you can prevent and treat STIs, and it starts with regular screenings. Our expert at North Tex Medcare, Dr. Frank Lee, explains who needs STI screening and when.

Who benefits from getting screened for STIs?

STIs are an uncomfortable topic, but almost anyone who is sexually active benefits from getting tested. You’re at risk even if you have only one partner because they could have an STI or be a carrier with no symptoms. Some people can carry infections for years with no symptoms and pass it to their partners without knowing.

Pregnant women also benefit from testing for STIs since the rates for congenital syphilis (a condition that can cause infant death) have increased. However, with testing and the right treatment plan we can prevent these deaths.

Risk factors and your testing schedule

How often you should get tested depends on your risk profile. Dr. Lee recommends that sexually active people get tested at least once per year. However, you may need more frequent testing if you fall into the following categories:

Having unprotected sex
Having multiple partners
Having a history of STIs
Sharing needles

If you want to ensure both of you are healthy, it’s best to ask your partner to get tested to eliminate any chance of infection.

Common symptoms include:

Pain in the abdomen, testicles, or lower back
Discharge in the genital area
Pain in the genital area
Pain during intercourse
Rashes, itching, or bumps

Seek medical help as soon as possible. Antibiotics can cure most STIs before they cause permanent damage.

Getting tested with us

If you are sexually active and want to ensure you and your partner are well, contact us to schedule an appointment. We offer confidential testing at our Allen, Addison, Fort Worth, and San Antonio, Texas offices.