Why You Should Test for Sexually Transmitted Infections (and How Often)

Until 2022, the rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States were reaching all-time highs during this past decade, despite awareness and education efforts to bring the numbers down. 

While Americans may not be breaking records in the past two years, infections are holding steady and still alarmingly high — in 2022, more than 2.5 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported. 

At Progressive Women’s Healthcare in Atlanta, Georgia, our team of women’s health experts wants to be part of the solution when it comes to sexually transmitted diseases, which is why we offer simple and comprehensive STD testing. 

Here, we review why testing for infections is so important, as well as how often you should be tested.

Some STIs have no symptoms

One important reason for STI testing is that the infection isn’t always obvious. For example, up to 70% of women who are infected with chlamydia don’t experience any symptoms. Also, diseases like herpes can go dormant, yet you’re still infected.

You don’t have to have intercourse to get an STI

Many people wrongly believe that you can avoid STIs if you don’t have vaginal intercourse. The fact is that some STIs can be passed along through other contact, including oral, anal, and skin-to-skin. Human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, and syphilis can be passed along without vaginal intercourse.

Untreated STIs lead to infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease

When STIs go untreated, you’re at risk for developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) — between 10% and 15% of women who get chlamydia develop PID, and it can greatly increase your risks for infertility.

Infecting your partner

Just as you would appreciate knowing whether a potential partner has an STI, so, too, should you be aware of your own status. If you want to stop the spread of STDs, testing is important. If you do test positive, often a simple course of antibiotics can put you back in the clear again.

Passing the infection to your child

One of the more concerning trends is a resurgence in congenital syphilis — an infection passed from the mother to the fetus. In 2018, there were 1,325 cases compared to 3,755 in 2022. As well, up to 30% of babies born to mothers with untreated HIV will get HIV.

Through regular STI testing, we can identify and treat any infections before this transmission happens.

How often should you test for STIs

We’re a practice that focuses on women’s health, so here are recommended testing schedules for females who are sexually active:

• Test at least once for HIV, but more frequently if you have a partner with HIV or multiple partners
• Women under 25 should test for chlamydia and gonorrhea every year
• Women over 25 should test annually for chlamydia and gonorrhea if they have new partners, multiple partners, or partners who are infected
• All pregnant women should be tested for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C

These are guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We’re happy to sit down with you to create a more personalized STI testing schedule. 

To get started, please contact Progressive Women’s Healthcare at 404-383-7387 or click here to book an appointment today.