"Doctors don't automatically screen for STDs, so discuss your sexual history."
(MARY M. GALLENBERG)
Q: How often should I be tested for STDs if I'm sexually active?
A: Get tested immediately if your partner has been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or if you:
• Have an unusual discharge from your genitals
• Feel burning when you urinate
• Experience genital itching
• See one or more sores in your genital area
If you're age 25 or under, get tested once a year because you're at a higher risk for contracting STDs than older adults. If you're over 25 and have a new sexual partner or multiple partners, you should also get tested annually.
Q: Which STD tests should I get during my annual visit to the gynecologist?
A: If you are sexually active and age 25 or younger, or any age with a new partner, you should be screened annually for chlamydia andgonorrhea, and undergo a Pap test to detect precancers of the cervix caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). If you've had sex without a condom, have new or multiple partners, or you know you have another STD, you should also get tested for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B.
Doctors don't automatically screen for STDs, however, so discuss your recent sexual history and practices to determine which tests you need.
Q: What's the best way to ask my partner about his or her sexual health?
A: The best time, place, and circumstance varies from couple to couple. But it's best to have a straightforward, truthful discussion about previous or existing sexually transmitted diseases and about using protectionbefore having sex.
Q: What if I'm too embarrassed or scared to tell my sex partner that I have an STD?
A: Most people have hesitations about sharing this very private information, but it's necessary for your own protection and for your partner's too—and using protection is a must. Familiarize yourself with recent, accurate information about the infection you have and how it's spread so that you can answer any questions from your partner.
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