Know the Top Options for Testing Down There

There are moments in life when you’re desperate for answers and unsure about where to go for answers.  Moreover, the intimacy of some topics limits most from reaching out to those closest to them for suggestions.  When you’re faced with diagnosing and treating a sexually transmitted disease, you need to know who can help and who you can trust.

The Doctor or the Clinic?

Generally, people have two options regarding treatment.  You may seek help from your general physician, one who can refer you to another if needed. Alternatively, you may get help from a clinic.  One may wonder why any person would not go straight to their physician.  Some are reluctant to discuss their sex lives with their family doctor.  Furthermore, one’s physician may not provide related services.

On the other hand, seeking help from one’s doctor does have advantages, such as easy access to your personal records as well as an established sense of trust. Insurance may further complicate the decision making process.  It may be expensive to seek treatment at the doctor’s office depending on one’s level and variety of insurance.

While a clinic may not be one’s first choice, likewise, there are advantages to seeking help there.  Firstly, the clinic may be much cheaper in addition to offering a wider range of treatments that are not available at private clinics. Also, the doctors at such clinics are used to sexual disease cases, which provides for an effective bedside manner.  Online tools are available to help find STD testing nearby.

Can I Do It At Home?

There is good news for those who are reluctant to discuss their sexual matters with others.  At-home testers are available and likely found at your local drug or chain store.  Do further research online to learn more about at-home solutions and whether you feel comfortable with that method of diagnosis.  One thing to consider is that if you do have a sexually transmitted disease, eventually, you will need to have interaction with professionals who can help.

How Could This Happen?

It’s likely that you’ve asked yourself how you got in this situation in the first place.  Unfortunately for some, their first scare won’t be the last.  Like those who relapse into a life of crime or drug abuse, some people lead reckless sex lives.  Activity includes one-night stands, unprotected sex, and a large number of partners.  In some cases, a person may benefit from seeking counsel from a psychologist, for their reckless sexual behavior may be but one instance of a deeper propensity toward self destruction.

But We Didn’t…!

Some misunderstand sexually transmitted diseases.  For instance, mononucleosis, also known as the ‘kissing disease,’ can be passed through saliva along with the virus that causes cold sores.  Likewise, some are not aware that they are susceptible when having oral sex.  Herpes and chlamydia can be passed during oral sex.  Even further from the bedroom and a sexual partner is the chance of catching hepatitis A, which can be passed when a person does not wash their hands, touches or prepares food, and gives it to you.

Open Relationships

Those in open relationships must be especially careful about contracting sexual diseases, for they’re risking their own health along with that of their ongoing partner.  Worse, ostensibly harmless acts, such as sharing each other’s razor, passes some STDs along.  In some cases, razors may be the catalyst for sharing HIV or hepatitis.

Unfortunately, those in frequent and rash relations don’t have adequate time to really know their partners, which aside from immediate inspection or visual proof, leads one unaware of whether they’re susceptible to a range of sexually transmitted diseases.

The Next Day

We all make poor decisions, and some subsequent mornings, when the mind is clear, may inspire us to consider getting tested.  The incubation period for a sexually transmitted disease varies depending on the disease along with the person.  In some cases, especially if using an at-home test, you may want to wait a period of time before taking another test to validate the results.

The worst thing one can do is remain paralyzed due to fear, embarrassment, or a lack of immediate knowledge.  Now you have the tools to move forward and make the decision that’s best for your health.

Natalie Martin is a freelance writer, and when she is not working on her next article she can usually be found in her garden. She attended the University of Cincinnati before turning to writing, and now spends much of her time drawing attention to some of the major health problems that are plaguing the country today. Natalie resides along the Gulf Coast with her 6 year old Labrador Retriever.