STI Testing
At our practice we pride ourselves on offering our patients the most advanced preventative care available. Along with a wide range of STI Testing services, we offer our patients the only FDA approved high-risk HPV test. Please ask your insurer on coverage for STI testing.
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Testing
How Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Are Tested
Gonorrhea and chlamydia are two of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. Because they often cause few or no symptoms, routine testing is the only reliable way to detect them early and prevent complications. Here’s a breakdown of how these infections are tested.
Why Testing Matters
Both gonorrhea and chlamydia can:
- Cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and ectopic pregnancy if left untreated.
- Increase the risk of contracting or transmitting HIV.
- Be passed from mother to baby during childbirth, leading to eye infections or pneumonia in infants.
Since many people show no symptoms, testing is essential for sexually active individuals, especially those with new or multiple partners.
Types of Tests
1. Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs)
- Most common and accurate test for both infections.
- Detects genetic material (DNA or RNA) of the bacteria.
- Can be performed on:
- Urine samples: A simple, non-invasive method (often the first choice).
- Swabs: Taken from the cervix, vagina, urethra, throat, or rectum depending on sexual practices and exposure.
2. Culture Tests
- Involves growing the bacteria in a lab.
- Less commonly used today, but sometimes preferred for gonorrhea, especially when antibiotic resistance is suspected.
- Requires a swab from the infected area (genitals, throat, or rectum).
3. Other Tests
- Rapid tests exist in some clinics, but they are less sensitive than NAATs.
- Blood tests are not used for gonorrhea or chlamydia, since these infections are localized and not detectable in the bloodstream.
What to Expect During the Test
- Urine test: You provide a urine sample, usually the first part of the urine stream, which carries bacterial cells.
- Swab test: A healthcare provider gently swabs the area (cervix, urethra, throat, or rectum). Self-swabs are also common, particularly for vaginal and rectal samples, and are just as accurate.
The process is quick, and results are typically available within a few days, depending on the lab.
Who Should Get Tested?
The CDC recommends:
- Sexually active women under 25: Annual testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
- Women 25 and older: Testing if they have risk factors (new/multiple partners, inconsistent condom use).
- Men who have sex with men (MSM): At least annual testing at all exposed sites (urethra, throat, rectum).
- Pregnant women: Routine screening early in pregnancy.
After the Test
- Positive results: Both infections can be cured with antibiotics, though gonorrhea treatment requires careful selection due to rising resistance.
- Negative results: Continue regular testing if you are sexually active and at risk.
- Partner treatment: Partners should be tested and treated as well to prevent reinfection.
Hepatitis Testing
Hepatitis Testing: Why It Matters for Your Health, Relationships, and Pregnancy
Hepatitis is an infection that affects the liver. It can be caused by several different viruses, including hepatitis A, B, and C. Some forms of hepatitis go away on their own, but others can lead to long-term liver damage, cirrhosis, or even liver cancer if not detected and managed early. Because many people do not have symptoms, testing is the only way to know for sure if you have hepatitis.
Why Hepatitis Testing Is Important
- Protecting your health: Early detection allows for monitoring, lifestyle changes, and treatment if needed.
- Preventing spread: Hepatitis viruses can be passed to others through blood, sexual contact, or from mother to baby during childbirth.
- Peace of mind: Knowing your status helps you and your partner feel confident about your health.
When to Get Tested
1. With New Partners
If you are starting a new sexual relationship, it’s a good idea for both partners to get tested for hepatitis and other infections. Many people carry the virus without knowing it, so testing helps keep each other safe.
2. During Pregnancy
Hepatitis B and C can be passed from mother to baby. That’s why hepatitis B testing is a routine part of prenatal care, and hepatitis C testing is recommended for many pregnant women. Knowing your status allows doctors to take steps to protect your baby.
3. Other Situations
You should also consider testing if you:
- Have ever shared needles or injection equipment.
- Received a blood transfusion before 1992 (when screening became standard).
- Were born in or traveled to regions where hepatitis is common.
- Have unexplained liver problems.
What Testing Involves
- Blood test: A simple blood draw can check for hepatitis A, B, and C.
- Results may show whether you have an active infection, had the infection in the past, or are protected through vaccination (for hepatitis A or B).
Hepatitis testing is quick, simple, and an important step in protecting your health and the health of those you love. Testing before new relationships, during pregnancy, or if you have risk factors can make a big difference. If you’re unsure whether you should be tested, ask your doctor—getting tested is always better than not knowing.
HIV & Syphilis Testing
HIV and Syphilis Testing: Protecting Your Health, Pregnancy, and Relationships
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and syphilis are both serious sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The good news is that both can be detected with simple tests.
Because symptoms are not always obvious, testing is the only way to know for sure.
Why Testing Matters
- Protecting your health: Both infections can cause serious long-term complications if not identified early.
- Protecting your baby: HIV and syphilis can pass from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth, but early treatment dramatically lowers this risk.
- Protecting your partner: Knowing your status before starting a new relationship keeps both of you safe.
HIV and Syphilis Testing in Pregnancy
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):
- All pregnant women should be tested for HIV and syphilis at their first prenatal visit.
- Women at higher risk may need repeat testing in the third trimester (between 28 and 32 weeks) and again at delivery.
- This testing is critical because:
- Syphilis in pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or severe illness in the newborn.
- HIV in pregnancy can pass to the baby during pregnancy, labor, or breastfeeding. Early treatment and medications can reduce the chance of passing HIV to the baby to less than 1%.
Testing With New Partners
Starting a new relationship is an exciting time, but it’s also a good opportunity to make sure both partners are healthy. Because HIV and syphilis can be silent, testing before unprotected sex builds trust and protects both people.
What the Tests Involve
- HIV testing: Usually a blood test or finger-prick that looks for HIV antibodies and antigens. Results can be rapid (within minutes) or take a few days.
- Syphilis testing: A blood test that checks for antibodies your body makes in response to infection.
Testing for HIV and syphilis is simple but life-saving. Whether you’re pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or starting a new relationship, knowing your status is the best way to protect yourself, your partner, and your baby. ACOG recommends universal screening in pregnancy and repeat testing for those at risk—so don’t wait, ask your healthcare provider about getting tested.
Early diagnosis makes a big difference—treatment for HIV can keep people healthy for decades, and syphilis can be cured with antibiotics if caught early.
HPV Testing
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Nearly everyone who is sexually active will be exposed to HPV at some point. While most infections go away on their own, some types of HPV can cause:
- Cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in women
- Penile cancer in men
- Throat and anal cancers in both men and women
- Genital warts
The HPV vaccine is a safe, effective way to prevent cancer. By getting vaccinated, you’re protecting yourself and others against HPV-related diseases for years to come. Talk with your healthcare provider about the right timing for you or your child.
Mycoplasma Testing
Mycoplasma: Testing, Symptoms, and Partner Care
Mycoplasma genitalium is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can affect the urinary and reproductive tracts. It is less well known than chlamydia or gonorrhea but can cause persistent symptoms if left untreated.
Symptoms
Many people with Mycoplasma genitalium have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- In men: Painful urination, discharge from the penis, urethritis.
- In women: Vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, bleeding between periods, pain during sex, cervicitis, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Testing
- The most accurate test is a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), which looks for the bacteria’s DNA.
- Samples are usually collected through urine or swabs (from the urethra, cervix, vagina, or rectum depending on exposure).
- Testing is often recommended if symptoms don’t resolve after treatment for other STIs, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Partner Care
- Sexual partners should also be tested to prevent reinfection and further spread.
- It’s best to avoid sexual contact until both you and your partner(s) have been checked by a healthcare provider.
Because symptoms are often absent or unclear, testing for Mycoplasma genitalium is essential when symptoms persist or risk is present. Partner care plays a vital role in stopping reinfection and protecting long-term health.
Trichomonas and Ureaplasma
Trichomonas and Ureaplasma: Testing and Transmission
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) aren’t always easy to spot—some cause no symptoms at all. Two lesser-known infections are trichomonas (caused by a parasite) and ureaplasma (caused by a type of bacteria). Both can affect the urinary and reproductive tracts and are passed between sexual partners.
Both trichomonas and ureaplasma can be silent infections that spread through sexual contact. Testing is important if you have symptoms, a new partner, or if other STIs have been ruled out but discomfort continues. Knowing your status helps protect both your health and your partner’s.
Trichomonas
What It Is
- Caused by a tiny parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis.
- One of the most common STIs worldwide.
Transmission
- Spread through unprotected vaginal sex.
- It does not usually spread through oral or anal sex, or from surfaces like toilet seats.
Symptoms
Many people don’t notice symptoms. When they do appear, they may include:
- In women: Vaginal discharge (often frothy, yellow-green, or with a strong odor), itching, burning, pain during sex, or discomfort when urinating.
- In men: Burning after urination or ejaculation, discharge from the penis, or irritation inside the penis.
Testing
- Diagnosed with a swab from the vagina, cervix, or urethra, or sometimes with a urine test.
- Some clinics use rapid tests or lab-based NAATs (nucleic acid amplification tests), which are very accurate.
Ureaplasma
What It Is
- Caused by bacteria (Ureaplasma urealyticum or Ureaplasma parvum).
- Commonly found in healthy people’s genital tracts, but in some cases, it can cause problems.
Transmission
- Spread through sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral sex).
- Can also pass from mother to baby during childbirth.
Symptoms
Most people have no symptoms. When present, they may include:
- In men: Urethritis (burning with urination, discharge).
- In women: Vaginal irritation, pelvic pain, or possibly complications in pregnancy (though research is ongoing).
Testing
- Detected through urine tests or swabs from the genital tract.
- Usually tested when symptoms persist after ruling out other common STIs.
Vaginitis Testing
Vaginitis Testing and Why It’s Important: What ACOG Recommends
Vaginitis is a term used when the vagina becomes inflamed, irritated, or produces abnormal discharge. It is one of the most common reasons women visit a gynecologist. Because symptoms of vaginitis—like itching, burning, odor, and discharge—can be caused by different conditions, testing is essential to find the right cause and treatment.
Common Causes of Vaginitis
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): An imbalance of normal bacteria, often leading to thin, gray discharge with a “fishy” odor.
Yeast Infection (Candidiasis): An overgrowth of yeast, usually causing thick, white discharge and itching.
Trichomoniasis: A sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite, leading to frothy, yellow-green discharge and irritation.
Non-infectious causes: Such as allergic reactions, irritants (like soaps), or low estrogen after menopause (atrophic vaginitis).
Because these conditions can look and feel similar, testing is the only way to know for sure what’s happening.
Types of Testing
- Physical exam & pH testing – Your doctor checks discharge and vaginal pH levels.
- Microscope exam (wet mount or KOH prep) – A small sample of discharge is looked at under the microscope for yeast, bacteria, or parasites.
- Cultures or DNA tests (NAATs) – More advanced tests that can detect infections like trichomonas, gonorrhea, or chlamydia.
- Advanced testing (microbiome/DNA sequencing, such as MicroGen) – Sometimes used in chronic or recurrent cases to identify difficult-to-detect organisms.
Why Testing Matters
Accurate treatment: Yeast, BV, and trichomonas all need very different medications.
Avoid unnecessary drugs: Without testing, it’s easy to use the wrong treatment, which may make symptoms worse.
Prevent complications: Untreated vaginitis can increase the risk of pelvic infections, pregnancy complications, and STIs.
Peace of mind: Knowing the exact cause helps patients feel confident about their care plan.
ACOG Guidelines on Vaginitis Testing
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that:
Vaginitis should not be treated based on symptoms alone—testing is necessary to confirm the cause.
Women with new, recurrent, or persistent symptoms should be tested to guide correct treatment.
NAAT (nucleic acid amplification tests) are preferred for detecting trichomonas because of their high accuracy.
Vaginitis evaluation should always include an exam and testing rather than self-diagnosis, since conditions often mimic each other.
