FAQs About STI Testing

What are STIs?

STIs are caused by viruses, parasites and bacteria and are mainly passed through vaginal, anal and oral sex. But some STIs can be passed through skin-to-skin contact.

HIV and the bacteria that cause syphilis can also be passed from one person to another during pregnancy, childbirth, intravenous drug use and blood transfusions.

STIs are common, so it’s no surprise that there are more than 20 types of infections out there.

STIs can include:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Genital herpes
• Trichomoniasis
• Syphilis
• Mycoplasma genitalium

Why should you get tested for sexually transmitted infections?

If you’re having sex, you’re at risk for an STI.

It’s important to get tested because many STIs don’t cause symptoms, so you could be passing the infection to other people without even knowing it.

STIs can also lead to serious health problems like cancer and infertility without proper treatment.

When should you get tested for sexually transmitted infections?

When to get tested and what STIs to get tested for can depend on different factors, including your age, how sexually active you are, your sexual history and if you’re having symptoms of an STI.

Symptoms of STIs in women can include:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge (color, smell, consistency that’s unusual for you)
• Warts on the genital area
• Sores or blisters on mouth or genital area
• Burning sensation when peeing
• Itching or redness in/around vagina and/or anus
• Fever
• Abdominal pain

If you have symptoms, talk to your clinician right away about testing options.

If you’re sexually active and don’t have symptoms of an STI, talk to your clinician about your risk factors, testing options and how frequently you should be tested.

The general guidelines for STI testing include:

• All sexually active women under 25 should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia at least once a year
• Women 25 and older who have new sexual partners, multiple partners or a partner who has an STI should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia at least once a year
• Everyone ages 13-64 should be tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime
• Women in early pregnancy should be tested for gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis and HIV
• Getting tested for syphilis if you live in a high-risk area
• People who have anal and/or oral sex should talk to their clinician about throat and rectal testing options

In addition to testing, you can help protect yourself from STIs by using condoms or dental dams every time you have sex. DoxyPEP, the use of a specific dose of the antibiotic doxycycline, can help prevent some bacterial infections after exposure, and two antiretroviral medications — PrEP andHIV PEP — can help prevent HIV infection.

What are the dangers of undiagnosed sexually transmitted infections?

If left untreated, STIs can cause serious health issues, including:

• Infertility
• Cancer
• Increased risk for HIV/AIDS

The impact of untreated STIs tends to be more severe for women compared to men.

For example, untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea in women can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause ectopic pregnancy, infertility and chronic pelvic pain.

What are nucleic acid amplification tests for STIs?

Today, nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), which can be done using a vaginal swab or a urine sample, are the gold standard for testing many STIs because of their high sensitivity and ability to detect infection.

NAATs can detect small amounts of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) of STI pathogens even when no symptoms are present. For example, a NAAT for chlamydia looks for Chlamydia trachomatis nucleic acid in the sample. Since most women don’t have symptoms of chlamydia, testing is the only way to find it.

Although most clinicians already use NAATs for bacterial STI testing, you can request a NAAT specifically when getting tested.

NAATs provide fast results and are highly accurate. Another perk is the self-swabbing option: NAATs can be used with self-collected samples in a clinic setting or at home, so you don’t necessarily need a clinician for sample collection. If you are diagnosed with an STI, it will be necessary to connect with a clinician for treatment.

Most at-home collection kits for STIs require you to mail in the sample, but last year the FDA authorized the first at-home test for chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis that has its own testing device. Results are ready in about 30 minutes — no mail-in required.

Are nucleic acid amplification tests covered by insurance?

Most health insurance plans will cover NAATs for STIs when you’re tested by a clinician, but coverage can vary. And not all STIs may be covered, depending on the plan.

NAATs for STIs with no symptoms are typically labeled as preventive care, which means they are covered.

But if you have symptoms, NAATs may no longer be considered preventive, and you may have to pay out of pocket for testing.

To avoid any surprises, talk to your clinician or contact your insurance provider to find out which tests are covered and how much you may have to pay out of pocket.

At-home NAAT testing kits are usually not covered by insurance.

If NAATs are not covered by your insurance, check your local health department or community health center for low-cost or free options that may be available to you.

Resources

CDC GetTested