Who Should Be Tested for STIs and How Often?

There’s quite a bit of information out there about who should get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and when. That’s good news because it means you can inform yourself. But it’s also bad news because there’s a lot to sort through. 

The right timing for your testing also depends on some factors that are unique to you. But you don’t have to figure all of this out on your own. 

At your annual exam, we help you decide on the right cadence of testing. Our team at Elite Gynecology offers discreet and convenient testing at our offices in Manhattan, Forest Hills, or Rego Park, New York.

 We’re here to help you figure out if you need a test, how often to get retested, and to perform the test(s) you need. 

What the experts recommend for STI testing

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that:

• Everyone aged 13–64 gets tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at least once
• Sexually active women under 25 get annual testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia
• Women 25+ with risk factors get annual testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia
• Pregnant women get additional testing

That’s just a broad overview, though. The CDC has additional guidance broken down by individual STIs. It can be quite a bit to digest, and a lot of the recommendations center on your specific risk exposure to each infection. 

To simplify things, we offer these recommendations:

• Get tested if you have a new partner
• Get tested if you have multiple partners
• Get tested if you have symptoms of an STI 

It’s important to know, though, that many STIs don’t present symptoms. Getting tested is the only way to know if you’re being affected by an infection. 

Choosing the right testing for you

At Elite Gynecology, our team helps you figure out what kind of testing might be best for you. We base this on your personal and family health history, your likelihood of exposure to certain STIs, and your partner history. 

The actual test depends on the STI for which we’re screening. It could be a urine test, swab test, or blood test, for example. Our team walks you through the process and what to expect, including how long it takes to get results.

If your test comes back positive, we immediately begin developing a treatment plan. Most STIs are curable. You can get rid of gonorrhea and chlamydia with antibiotics, for example. 

Don’t wonder if you’re being affected by an STI. To see if our team recommends testing — and to have it performed if we do — come see us. Call Elite Gynecology or book an appointment online today.