How to GYT

Overview

If you're sexually active, getting tested for STIs is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Have an open and honest conversation with your healthcare provider about your sexual history. This will help them understand what STI tests you may need.

Studies show many teens don't talk to their healthcare providers about sex and sexuality during their annual health visits. Sometimes they are afraid their parents might find out. If you aren't comfortable with your regular healthcare provider, many clinics with free or low cost, confidential testing.

For ways to prepare for your doctor's visit, check out this guide.

Should I get tested for STIs?

You may be at risk for STIs if you can answer yes to any of these questions:

• Have you had vaginal (penis in the vagina), anal (penis in the anus), or oral sex (mouth on penis, vagina, or anus) without a condom in the past 12 months?
• Have you ever had an STI, including HIV?
• Have any of your partners had an STI?
• Have you or any of your partners ever used illicit substances?
• Have you exchanged sex for needs in the past 12 months (money, housing, drugs, etc.)?
• Is it possible that any of your sex partners in the past 12 months had sex with someone else while they were still in a sexual relationship with you?

Which STI tests should I get?

• Everyone ages 13 to 64 should be tested at least once for HIV.
• Most sexually active adults should be tested for syphilis based on where they live.
• Pregnant women should be tested for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C starting early in pregnancy. Some people may need repeat testing and need to be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
• All sexually active women younger than 25 years should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year.
• Some women 25 years and older should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year. This can include women who have new partners, multiple partners, or a partner who has an STI.
• All sexually active gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men should be tested:
  • For syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea at least once a year Those who have multiple or anonymous partners should be tested more frequently (e.g., every 3 to 6 months).
  • For HIV at least once a year and some may benefit from more frequent HIV testing (e.g., every 3 to 6 months).
• Anyone who shares injection drug equipment should get tested for HIV at least once a year.
• People who have had oral or anal sex should talk with their healthcare provider about throat and rectal testing options.

Find out what STI care options are available near you.

In addition to traditional, in-person visits, other options that may be available include:

• Video or phone appointments with your healthcare provider.
• Express visits allow walk-in testing and treatment appointments without a full clinical exam.
• Pharmacies and retail clinics, such as at a grocery store or big-box store, for on-site testing and treatment.
• At-home collection where you collect your own sample and take or mail it to a lab for testing.
• FDA-approved self-tests (or, at-home tests) are available for some infections. Self-testing is when you collect a swab or your own blood from a finger prick and test it with a device that provides results within minutes.

Get tested. Get treated.

Testing positive for an STI is not the end. Many STIs are curable and all are treatable. Work with your healthcare provider to get the correct treatment, even if you receive results from a self-test or self-collection kit.

You and your partner(s) need to start treatment immediately if you have an STI. Getting treated right away can help avoid health problems down the road.

Make sure to fill your prescriptions and take your medication as prescribed. That also means you shouldn't share your prescription with your partner(s).

Get retested! It's common to get some STIs more than once, especially chlamydia and gonorrhea. You should be retested in 3 months even if you and your partner(s) took medicine.