Screening for STIs/STDs

Everyone who is sexually active should stay up-to-date on their STI status with the help of regular screening tests. Most sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are asymptomatic, so screening tests are essential for everyone, not just those with symptoms.¹

Testing frequency

The CDC recommends a minimum testing frequency of 12 months for anyone sexually active.² However, this recommendation changes depending on STI type, HIV status, and other personal and lifestyle criteria. Specific CDC testing recommendations include, but are not limited to:³

• Individuals at higher risk, such as people with multiple, new or unknown partners, should be screened every 3 to 6 months.
• Sexually active women and men who have sex with men should be tested yearly for at least chlamydia and gonorrhea.
• Pregnant individuals should be screened for STIs early on and repeated as needed.

The testing frequency necessary may vary over your lifetime as you enter into different partnership arrangements. Still, staying current with your STI status and understanding how quickly it can change is always important.

Results

Testing positive for an STI may be overwhelming, but try to remember that STIs are common, there is nothing to be ashamed of and getting tested was the best thing to do. And now that you have the results, you can move forward with key post-screening tasks like treatment, informing others and retesting.

First, a healthcare provider can walk you through your treatment options. Many STIs are treatable with prescription antibiotics, while others, like HSV-1 and HSV-2, are managed with antiviral medication.⁴⁵ Seeking treatment is not just necessary to prevent transmission — untreated STIs can have serious long-term health consequences like increasing your risk of developing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), epididymitis, proctitis and more.⁶⁷⁸⁹

In addition to seeking treatment, it is essential to notify any past or current partners potentially affected by this diagnosis so that they may seek testing immediately.¹⁰

Testing is key

Even after treatment, it is important to keep screening for STIs as you do not develop immunity and, thus, can contract the same STI in the future.

Stay safe and keep others safe with regular STI/STD screenings as per your lifestyle. Don’t want to visit a clinic? With imaware’s new at-home Complete STI test, you can collect your sample at home, mail it to a designated lab and receive digital results with complimentary telehealth support. 

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Resources:

1. World Health Organization. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Accessed March 28, 2023.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Screening Recommendations and Considerations Referenced in Treatment Guidelines and Original Sources. Accessed March 13, 2023.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Which STD Tests Should I Get? Accessed March 13, 2023.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR: Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021. Accessed March 28, 2023.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Genital Herpes Treatment and Care. Accessed March 28, 2023.
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. STDs and HIV - CDC Basic Fact Sheet. Accessed March 28, 2023.
7. Mayo Clinic. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Accessed March 28, 2023.
8. Mayo Clinic. Epididymitis. Accessed March 23, 2023.
9. Mayo Clinic. Proctitis. Accessed March 23, 2023.
10. Minnesota Department of Health What You and Your Partner Should Know About Gonorrhea and Chlamydia. Accessed March 28, 2023.