When & How Often Is STD Testing Necessary?

A sexually transmitted disease (STD), also known as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), is an infection that’s usually transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. According to the WHO, over one million people acquire a sexually transmitted disease every single day worldwide. 

Some of the most common STDs and STD-related diseases or infections include bacterial vaginosis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, herpes, HIV, AIDS, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), syphilis, trichomoniasis, and much more. 



A majority of people that have an STD won’t know it because they don’t always come with symptoms. That’s what makes confidential STD testing so important in the world today. With regular testing, you can help keep yourself and your sexual partners safe with early detection and prevention.

So, when is STD testing necessary?

STD testing is necessary for anyone who’s sexually active – no matter how often or who it was with. In fact, the CDC suggests getting tested for STDs annually, so long as you’re sexually active during that year. This gives you an opportunity to detect STDs in their earliest stages. 

With that said, how often you should get tested for an STD is largely dependent on how sexually active you are, how many people you’re sexually active with, your age, your sex, your sexual orientation, and whether or not you’re pregnant. The time between tests may vary for everyone.



Most people will either choose to do annual testing (once per year) or interval testing (every 3-6 months), but there are also a number of special circumstances that might cause you to get tested outside your normal routine – such as pregnancy, dating a new partner, and much more.

More STD Testing Recommendations From the CDC

Due to the importance of STD testing for sexually active people, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has made clear recommendations in regards to how often and when you should consider getting tested regularly for STDs. Let’s take a quick look at some of those recommendations made by the CDC:

• Everyone should be tested for HIV at least once between the ages of 13 and 64 years old
• If you’re a sexually active female, you should be getting tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia at least once per year
• All pregnant women should be tested for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C in the early stages of pregnancy
• If you’re at risk of infection and are pregnant, you should also get tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia in early pregnancy
• If you’re a gay or bisexual male that’s sexually active, you should be tested for syphilis, chlamydia, HIV, and gonorrhea at least once per year
• If you share injection drug equipment or engage in sexual behaviors that put you at risk of an STD, then you should be tested once per year
• You can speak with your doctor about throat and rectal testing for those that have engaged in oral or anal sex

For the best advice, you should meet with your primary care physician and be honest about your sexual history, as well as any concerns you might have. They can not only help you test for an STD but also help you treat it and prevent it in the future – you just have to be willing. 

Read more: What to Look for in a Primary Care Clinic



What to Expect During an STD Test

Getting tested for an STD can be a stressful, embarrassing, and nerve-wracking thing for anyone, especially if it’s your first time. Don’t worry, most testing locations are adamant about providing a comfortable, welcoming, and friendly environment for each patient. 

The test itself is usually quick, painless, and non-invasive, but there are several different ways to do it and it depends on what kind of test you’re taking. For example, some tests might require a urine sample, while other tests might require a blood sample or blood test, cheek swab, or a physical exam alongside blood tests.



In some cases, your doctor might want to take a fluid sample from one of your sores or blisters. Your doctor will brief you on the procedure ahead of time, that way you can properly prepare yourself. They’ll also be there to answer any questions you might have about the STD test. 

Coping With Positive Test Results

STD screening is more than necessary, but that doesn’t make the results any easier to process – especially if you test positive for an STD. It’s not an easy emotion to get over and will likely leave you feeling guilty, embarrassed, disgusted, ashamed, and a world of other emotions. 



Before you get too down on yourself, it’s important to remember that this is something that can happen to anyone that’s sexually active with anyone. Not only that but there are millions of people going through the same thing you’re going through right now – so you’re not alone. 

If you’ve recently found out that you have an STD, there are several things you should do right away. First off, you should take some time to understand and follow your doctor’s treatment plan to begin your recovery. Next, you should contact anyone you’re currently sexually active with. 

It’s not going to be an easy conversation to have, but it’s what needs to be done to ensure everyone is safe and healthy. To help cope with it all, you can join a support group, start seeing a therapist or counselor, or find a new source of joy in your life. Don’t let the STD define you. 

Do You Think You Might Have an STD?

There’s nothing funny about a sexually transmitted infection. They require immediate medical attention and an effective treatment plan. If not treated properly in a timely manner, STDs can lead to a number of serious health problems that will only continue to worsen over time. 



If you feel you might’ve acquired an STD recently or want to schedule your annual STD tests, contact Dr. Shaun Jang, MD at Good Samaritan LV today. We’ve helped people just like you maintain, monitor, manage, and improve their sexual health – and we would be honored to do the same for you!