Prioritize Your Sexual Health: STD Testing, Prevention and Confidentiality
Sponsored by Turó Park Clinics.
Many people avoid getting tested for (STDs) and (STIs) because they are embarrassed, scared or uneducated about the process. However, the reality is that testing is easy, quick, anonymous and can be done in a safe and informative environment.
Most sexually active people will have heard the advice to ‘‘use protection and get tested’ many times before. The commitment to regular testing does not just keep you and your sexual partners safe, but most importantly it helps you maintain your long term health!
To inform you on all you need to know about STD/STI testing, the team at Turó Park brings you this collaborative article, including the advice and wisdom from specialist GP, Dr. Marie Borgne-Renié, dermatologist Dr. Luis Novoa, urologist Dr. José Carpio and gynecologist Dr. Berta Esteban.
What Are STDs, STIs and the Difference between the Two?
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and infections (STIs) are terms that are now used interchangably, however, each has it own definition.
First of all, one may develop an STI. These infections occur when a bacteria, virus or other microbe enters the body through contact or sexual activity and begins multiplying. They are transmitted during intercourse, oral sex and even skin-to-skin contact where the infection is present.
Then, once established, multiplying and left untreated, the sexually transmitted infection can develop into an STD: a disease that can become chronic, untreatable or more serious for your long-term health. For instance, many sexually transmitted infections, when left undiagnosed and untreated, can lead to significant complications such as infertility and cancer.
STIs are common and, for the most part, treatable. It is important to get tested to avoid their development into a more serious STD.
It is important to note that the most effective prevention method is the correct and consistent use of condoms.
What Are the Common Types of STIs?
The most common STIs include:
- Bacterial: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis
- Viral: Hepatitis B virus, genital herpes, HIV, Human Pampillo Virus
- Parasitic: Trichomoniasis
However, there are more such as Lymphogranulomatosis venereum (LGV) and other mycoplasma infections caused by other bacteria.
STIs present themselves in a variety of symptoms, many overlapping and similar to one another. Even more importantly, many are asymptomatic so are not detected by the patient at all. Therefore, rather than focusing on the specific symptoms of each, instead we encourage our patients to test regularly, and when you are at risk.
When to Test and Why Get Tested in the First Place?
Anyone that is sexually active can get tested for STIs, even if you believe that you don’t have one. It is especially vital to test when:
- You are sexually active.
- You have multiple sexual partners.
- You have unprotected sex of any type.
- You are suffering from symptoms such as itching, genital warts, pain during sex, etc.
One of the most important reasons to get frequently checked for STDs is that many of these infections and diseases are asymptomatic. Further still, the vast majority of them are easily treatable and ultimately curable if diagnosed early before sufficient development. When paired together, these two factors significantly favor checks and testing on a regular basis.
Finally, as part of pregnancy monitoring some screenings are mandatory, such as syphilis and hepatitis B, and others are strongly recommended (HIV). Before having a child, this screening is important as STIs present in the mother can be passed to the child directly.
When It Is Not Asymptomatic: The Most Common Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- Skin rash
- Urinary problems
- Unusual vaginal secretions
- Irritation, burning or tingling in the genital area
- Pain during sex
- Pelvic pain
- Appearance of small pimples or warts on the genitalia
- Intense fatigue or nausea
In response to an appearance of any of these symptoms, get tested just in case!
Testing for STIs
The diagnosis of each sexually transmitted diseases requires different types of tests. Either you chose to do a test according to a specific infection or, often recommended by doctors and specialists, you chose a “pack” of tests that will give you results for many more possible infections.
In the event of an appearance of lesions, you may see a specialist who will carry out a check of the affected areas. Some diseases, such as genital herpes, can be detected in this clinical examination of the genitals.
However, some are detected through testing:
- Urine tests: Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea
- Local sampling: Trichomoniasis and papillomavirus are both detected by taking a genital swab.
- Blood sampling: Screening for hepatitis B or C, HIV or syphilis is done through a simple blood test, usually taken in the recommended sixth or eighth week after risky sex.
In the Case of a Positive Test Result
If you test positive for an STI, the next step is further testing and treatment as recommended by your doctor. In addition, your partners should also be informed, so that they themselves can be evaluated and treated.
Expect to feel many emotions; you may be ashamed, angry or afraid. Remember that getting tested was the best thing to do and now you can get treated with the best possible chance of curing the infection. Always know that you can talk with your doctor about your concerns.
Treatment
Antibiotics are the most common treatment for trichomonas vaginitis, gonorrhoea, lymphogranulomatosis venereum and mycoplasma infections and syphilis. These prescriptions have a good prognosis for recovery and sexual partners of the patient are easily treated too.
Genital herpes cannot be entirely eliminated. However, treatment can relieve pain and limit the duration and intensity of the herpes virus.
Hepatitis B may heal spontaneously but in some rarer cases it may become chronic.
In the case of HIV seropositivity, a combination of lifetime treatments (triple therapy) helps to prevent the further evolution of the disease and can ease symptoms. However, this STD is not yet curable.
Don’t Be Scared, Get Tested!
Although some of the consequences of untreated STIs seem scary, testing itself is most certainly not and, in fact, prevents the former.
Your general doctor, gynecologist or another specialist is there to create a safe, confidential and informative environment so that you can have an open, honest and comfortable conversation about your sexual history, STD testing and your overall sexual health.
It Is Possible to Keep Your Anonymity
We understand that STD tests can be scary and that you might prefer to stay anonymous throughout the process. At many testing facilities, you can receive your results through just a mobile number without having to give your name and other personal details.
Growing in popularity and acceptance, at-home test kits can provide the perfect alternative for people who wish to retain anonymity. For home STI testing, you collect a urine sample or an oral or genital swab and then send it to a lab for analysis.
Contact Turó Park!
Turó Park’s highly qualified and experienced specialists warmly welcome you to get tested at the Medical Clinic, one of the partnering laboratories or carry out at-home testing. With the possibility of confidentiality, accurate results and follow-up treatment, Turó Park’s team encourages you to stay safe and check your sexual health!
- Dr. Marie Borgne-Renié, general practitioner, specialized in sexual and reproductive health.
- Dr. Luis Novoa, dermatologist & infectious diseases specialist, offering treatment for STDs/STIs.
- Dr. José Carpio, urologist, specializing in the treatment of the pathologies that affect the urinary and reproductive organs, relieving discomfort and providing long-term solutions.
- Dr. Berta Esteban, gynecologist, specialized in contraception, sexually transmitted diseases and cervical pathology (caused by HPV).
Turó Park’s doctors, dentists and specialists are all multilingual, speaking English, French, Spanish and Catalan among others.
The specialists at Turó Park Clinics focus on improving your well-being with their advice, treatments and professionalism in your native language.
You can book your appointment seven days a week, online or via WhatsApp: +34 651 130 683.
You can find out more about all the clinic’s services and book an appointment via the website at turoparkmedical.com and follow on Twitter: @park_turo, Facebook: @turoparkmedical, Instagram @turoparkmedical and LinkedIn.
Sponsored by Turó Park Clinics.
