STIs Testing: What’s Included & Why It Matters
Okay bestie, what does a full STD test include? Is it actually worth it? Well, to be honest, if you’ve been sexually active (unprotected sex or not), getting tested is self-care. Your sexual health matters. It means you’re looking out for your overall health. And as a women’s center that offers no-cost services in a safe space, that’s something we applaud!
What Does an STD Test Actually Check For?
STD (sexually transmitted disease) testing isn’t just one big test that covers everything. So what does a full STD test include? It’s usually a panel of tests that check for the most common infections, customized based on your symptoms, history, and risk factors. Take a minute to jot down your symptoms or anything unusual you’ve noticed. Got it? Awesome. Although many infections don’t show any symptoms at all,1 it’s helpful to let your medical provider know as much info as possible. Here’s the usual lineup for a test panel:
🧪 Chlamydia & Gonorrhea – Detected via a urine test or swab (usually from the cervix or throat, depending on exposure). These two are sneaky because they often don’t cause symptoms but can cause major issues if left untreated.1, 2
🩸 HIV – This infection can be tested through blood or an oral swab. With HIV, early detection = early treatment = better long-term health.3
🩸 Syphilis – Detected through a blood test or by testing fluid from a sore. Syphilis can go unnoticed for many years, but can cause serious complications if untreated.4
🧪 Trichomoniasis (Trich) – Tested with a urine sample or vaginal swab. It’s more common than you might think and very treatable.5
Sometimes (depending on symptoms or concerns) a medical provider might test for other infections, like Hepatitis. Here are some other STIs that might be included in a full panel of tests:
🧪 Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1 & HSV-2) – Usually tested via blood or a swab of an active sore in the genital area. There’s no routine screening for herpes unless you have symptoms or a specific reason to test.6
🩸 Hepatitis B & C – Hepatitis is checked through blood tests, especially for those with certain risk factors.7
🩸 Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – Typically tested during a Pap smear with your primary care healthcare provider, but there’s no general HPV test for everyone — just for high-risk strains linked to cervical cancer.3
🧪 Mycoplasma Genitalium – This infection isn’t super well known. But it’s an increasingly recognized STI that may be tested by a swab sample or urine test if you have persistent symptoms.8
What Does A Full STD Test Include? Peace Of Mind!
Trending or not, STD screening is a good idea for sexually active people (or anyone who’s had sexual activity in the past, even if it was a while back). Why? Even if they don’t cause any uncomfortable symptoms, untreated infections can have long-term effects on the body.2 Some can even be life-threatening if left untreated.1 So yeah, it’s a big deal. And you’re a big deal!
Your health is what enables you to go out, achieve your goals, and live your best life. So take care of yourself! Your friends, your family, and your advocates here at ThriVe all want the best for your future. We’re on your team. And with it being no-cost to get tested, why not? No matter the test results, we’ll be there for you. ThriVe has your back with no-cost testing and treatment for:
✅ Chlamydia
✅ Gonorrhea
✅ Syphilis
✅ HIV
✅ Trichomoniasis
✅ Bacterial Vaginosis (not an STD, but we still got you!)
If our medical team determines that you need additional tests outside of what we offer, we’ll guide you through the next steps — and we’ll make sure you find the right care and treatment. We won’t leave you hanging. Think of us as a starting point for your health. We’ll get you through the hard stuff- and that includes pregnancy tests and pre-abortion screenings, too. Our women’s advocates are here to support you with medically-accurate information and a listening ear.
Why Get Tested? Because You Deserve to Know.
Getting screened for your sexual health isn’t scary — it’s actually empowering. You can’t get treatment if you don’t have a diagnosis. You’re worth this small investment of your time. Knowing your status means you can take control of your health, avoid complications, and protect yourself and others. And if you test positive, remember: all STDs can be managed with medication, and some (like chlamydia and gonorrhea) can be cured with antibiotics.9 But it’s important to get treatment for infections early before they progress and cause further damage.9 So take a breath, and let’s get you that peace of mind.
So, if it’s been a while (or ever) since your last test, let’s fix that. No stress, no judgment—just answers. Call ThriVe for no-cost, confidential testing and take care of you. Give us a call when you feel ready.
Sources:
1https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/in-depth/std-symptoms/art-20047081
2https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
3https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351246#:~:text=The%20chlamydia%20test%20uses%20a%20sample%20of%20urine,Get%20retested%20if%20you%20have%20a%20new%20partner.
4 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/syphilis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351762
5https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/trichomoniasis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20378613
6 https://www.cdc.gov/herpes/testing/index.html
7 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-b/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20366821
8 https://www.cdc.gov/mgen/about/
9 https://www.cdc.gov/sti/about/index.html
