Who Should be Tested for STIs and How Often?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common, and without testing, it’s possible you could be infected without showing any signs or symptoms. The question that many women have is, when and how often should I be tested for STIs? 

Dr. John A. Whitfield and his team recommend testing that is appropriate for your personal situation. Risk factors for these diseases vary from person to person and include both known and unknown conditions. 

Today, we’ll look at recommendations and guidelines to help you make the right decision for your lifestyle. To learn more, schedule a visit to our Fort Worth office for a consultation. 

CDC guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides both general and disease-specific testing guidelines for STIs. 

For women of reproductive age, the CDC provides these guidelines and recommendations for women: 

• Sexually active women under 25 years old should be tested annually for chlamydia and gonorrhea; older women with risk factors like multiple partners, new partners, or STI-positive partners
• Pregnant women should test for hepatitis B and C, HIV, and syphilis early in their pregnancy
• At-risk pregnant women should also add testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea
• Those who are between the ages of 13 and 64 should have an HIV test at least once
• Women who engage in anal or oral sex should discuss rectal and throat testing with us

Women who share equipment to inject drugs have an elevated risk of contracting HIV and should arrange testing annually. 

Symptom-based testing

We recommend broad STI screening when you encounter symptoms such as: 

• Painful intercourse
• New episodes of genital or pelvic pain
• Genital burning or itchiness
• Unusual genital discharge
• Changes to the skin near the genitals, including bumps, growths, or sores

If you know or suspect that a partner has an active STI, arrange testing as soon as possible. 

What to expect from STI testing

Using blood, swab, and/or urine testing, we can screen you for these STIs: 

• Chlamydia
• Genital herpes
• Gonorrhea
• Hepatitis 
• HIV
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Syphilis
• Trichomoniasis

If your symptoms warrant it, we can also test for less common STIs, such as chancroid, molluscum contagiosum, and granuloma inguinale.

A positive test generally indicates that you have an active STI that requires treatment. No STI test is completely accurate, so false-positive results are possible. 

We’ll discuss your results with you and retest as needed. Sometimes, you can be infected, but it takes time for test results to show positive. 

While discussing STIs can be a sensitive subject, Dr. Whitfield and his team are STI testing professionals, ready to treat you with discretion and sensitivity so that together, we can support your overall wellness. 

Call Dr. Whitfield’s office at 817-927-2229 to schedule your next STI test today.