Wouldn’t it be great if we could send a substitute to handle the tedious or awkward grown-up tasks?
I’d be thrilled to dispatch a lookalike for haircuts, dental appointments and annual physicals with my doctor.
Sadly, life doesn’t allow that. You generally have to be present and bring the necessary parts of yourself along.
Most people understand the value of yearly mammograms, Pap tests, prostate checks and other exams that require doctors to enter our personal space.
There’s another set of screenings many adults should consider annually or when changes in lifestyle call for it: tests for sexually transmitted infections.
Common STIs such as gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia are increasing in incidence. More than two million new infections were recorded in 2016, the highest total ever reported in the U.S.
If you’re uncertain whether you need testing for STIs (sometimes called STDs), consult the screening guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Don’t assume you’re off the hook just because you’re not presently sexually active. The CDC suggests “all adults and adolescents ages 13 to 64 should be tested at least once for HIV” since HIV can be transmitted through some non-sexual routes as well.
Where to Receive Free STI Testing
Many health plans will pay for STI screening. If yours doesn’t, here are three alternatives to get tested without high out-of-pocket costs.
1. Medicare and Medicaid
If you qualify for Medicare Part B, you can receive STI screening at no charge once every 12 months and at specified times during pregnancy.
Medicare also covers up to two private, in-person counseling sessions for sexually active adolescents and adults at elevated risk, when a physician makes a referral.
Medicaid benefits vary by state, so check your state’s policies for details.
2. Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood clinics nationwide provide STI testing on a sliding-fee basis, adjusted for income, household size and other factors.
Locate a health center near you and call to learn about pricing and services. You can also find information about planned parenthood services through local resources.
3. Your Local Clinic or Health Department
Use the CDC’s searchable database of testing sites to find a nearby clinic or public health department that offers STI screening.
What to Expect Before You Go
“Routine STI panels typically include chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis and hepatitis, while genital herpes and the parasite trichomoniasis are usually tested only if you present symptoms, and human papillomavirus (HPV) is screened for during a routine Pap smear (there’s no standard screening test for men),” explains Emma Kaywin, a sexual health writer at Bustle.
If there’s a specific STI test you want that isn’t part of the usual set, speak up and request it from the clinician.
If this is your first time getting tested, the American Sexual Health Association provides a primer on what each test involves.
Feeling anxious before STI testing is common and perfectly understandable.
“Getting tested can feel frightening, but try to relax,” Planned Parenthood advises. “Most prevalent STIs can be treated effectively with medication. For those that aren’t curable, treatments are available to manage symptoms and decrease the risk of transmission to others. The sooner you learn your status, the sooner you can begin treatment and protect both yourself and your partners.”
Alexandra Rivera is a staff writer at Savinly. She supports sex-positive education and believes informed care improves outcomes.
