STD Testing

Why is STD testing important?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are extremely contagious and can spread from vaginal or anal penetration, as well as oral sex. 

Regular STD screenings for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis (to name a few), are important to prevent the spread of STDs, as well as to protect your fertility since some types of STDs can make you infertile. It’s especially important to undergo STD testing if:

• Your sexual partner has been diagnosed with an STD.
• You have abnormal discharge from your vagina
• You’re feeling ill and develop fever or body aches
• You start experiencing itching, burning, or bumps near your vagina or inner thighs

These issues don’t necessarily mean that you have an STD, but they certainly warrant an evaluation from your OB/GYN to determine what’s causing them. 

What happens during in-office STD testing?

Yorktown Health proudly provides STD testing right in the office, so you can feel confident that you’re in capable hands. 

During your STD screening, your dedicated OB/GYN sits and has a conversation with you about your sexual health and any symptoms you may be experiencing. It’s necessary to be as open and honest as possible.

After your discussion, you need to undress from the waist down, lie back on the exam room table, and place your feet in the stirrups on either side of the table. Your OB/GYN needs to place a speculum into your vagina to hold open your vaginal walls. They use a specialized brush or swab to gather samples of cervical cells and any discharge you may have (much like a Pap smear).

Once your STD testing is complete, your OB/GYN might perform a pelvic exam to evaluate pain or inflammation in your reproductive organs. They may also request a blood draw to test for inflammation or additional STDs (including human immunodeficiency virus).

When will I get my results after STD testing?

It can take a week or two for the lab to process your specimens and blood. If you have positive results, the team at Yorktown Health contacts you for a follow-up visit to discuss your results and get you started on treatment — often antibiotic or antiviral medications. 

Schedule your STD testing at Yorktown Health by booking online or calling the office.