Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) affect millions of Americans every year and are a major public health concern. STDs affect all people, but may have long-term health consequences in women. At Dekalb Women's Specialists in Lithonia, Decatur, and Stone Mountain, Georgia, the team offers confidential and nonjudgmental STD testing to help you stay on top of your health and wellness. To schedule your STD testing, call the office closest to you or book an appointment online today.
STDs include bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections passed from person to person through sexual contact. The infections may be passed through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
There are at least 20 types of STDs. The most common include:
Bacterial, fungal, and parasitic STDs can be treated and cured. However, viral STDs have no cure, but can be managed with medication.
In women, STDs can have long-term health consequences that can lead to infertility or chronic pelvic pain. Certain strains of HPV also increase your risk of cervical cancer.
If you think you have an STD, you should contact Dekalb Women's Specialists to schedule your STD testing. Failing to get the right diagnosis and treatment may affect your future health.
The team also conducts STD screenings at your annual well-woman exam, if appropriate. The types of testing you need depends on your age and sexual activity.
Though STDs don’t always cause symptoms, you should also get tested if you have vaginal pain, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, or genital sores or warts.
The specifics of your STD testing at Dekalb Women's Specialists may depend on your sexual and gynecological history. Before your test, your provider reviews your symptoms, sexual history, and gynecological history, and performs a physical and pelvic exam.
Based on the information gathered during your exam, your provider determines the type of STD testing needed.
Testing may require:
Your provider discusses all the STD testing with you so you know what to expect.
How long it takes to get results from your STD testing varies and depends on the type of test. Your provider discusses when you can expect to get your results and the steps you should take in the meantime to protect yourself.
Once your results are available, your provider contacts you and provides additional recommendations or treatments.
To schedule your STD testing, call Dekalb Women's Specialists or request an appointment through the online booking tool today.
