Why you should get tested for STIs

Looking after your health can feel like an annoying thing to have to do, but it’s important to look after yourself and your sexual partners. Getting tested regularly means you won’t have any STIs getting out of hand, and hugely reduces the likelihood of passing an STI on to other people. 

Aside from using a barrier method like condoms, regular STI testing is the best way to prevent the spread of STIs. Also, the more often you get tested, the easier it will be to work out who you might have contracted an STI from and therefore the less people you will need to contact if you do test positive.  

Anyone can get an STI, even if they have only taken part in sexual activity once. This includes touching of genitals with hands and vaginal, anal and oral sex. 

The most common STIs such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea often don’t have any symptoms, meaning you and your partner(s) could have an STI without knowing. 

It’s important to get tested every time you have sex with a new partner, and if you are in a long-term relationship it’s recommended to get tested about once a year.

Condoms are an excellent barrier method for preventing the transmission of STIs, and are very easy to access.

However it’s important to remember mistakes can happen, and that condoms can also only be used during certain types of sex, such as sexual contact involving a penis or sex toys.

Essentially, the best way to protect yourself and others from STIs is to get regularly tested even when you are using condoms.

Getting tested for STIs is a very quick process, usually involving a swab of the vagina, mouth or anus, a urine sample and/or blood sample. You can do this at a sexual health clinic or your GP. You may also be able to order a home testing kit, depending on where you live – and this is even quicker and easier than going to a clinic! 

Sometimes people are scared to take a test because they don’t want to find out something scary, but not knowing if you have an STI or not could end up making you feel more anxious. If you get tested and it comes back negative, then you can enjoy knowing you are STI free!

Plus, if you get a positive result, then at least you know and can get it sorted out quickly.

Most STIs can be treated very easily with antibiotics, and those which can’t be treated can still be very effectively managed. For instance, HIV can be managed using anti-viral medication that prevents it from being passed on to sexual partners. Find out more about living with an STI.

It is important to make sure STIs are treated as early as possible to prevent them from causing long term health complications.  

Certain STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea can cause infertility if left untreated, while others like HIV and syphilis can be fatal if they aren’t diagnosed early enough or managed well.