At-home STD test is a concept that was visualized, brought to life, and is becoming increasingly popular. And this is for good reasons.
A lot of people are starting to realize that being sexually active comes with many risks, especially if they are keeping multiple partners.
Contracting a sexually transmitted disease, otherwise known as STD, is one of the risks that come with being sexually active. Everyone stands the risk of getting an STD, especially if you’re keeping more than one partner.
While some STDs can be cured, there are others that have no cure. However, regardless of whether or not an STD can be cured, it is quite important to get tested.
This will ensure that the disease is caught in its early stage. And the patient can be treated and advised on how to keep it from spreading to others.
In their early stages, STDs start out as infections. This is the reason why some medical practitioners would refer to them as STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections).
Detecting them while they are still in the “infection” stage is very beneficial. You’ll be able to treat them and get yourself cured, if possible.
Just like every type of infection, there are ways to detect an STD infection before it becomes full-blown. The best way to detect an STD or STI is to go for testing or use an at-home STD test kit.
During an STD test, several methods are utilized to detect the infection or disease. Some of the tests usually carried out to detect STDs include vaginal discharge tests, blood tests, laparoscopy, and stool tests.
It is important to note that each STD type has its own method of detection. (1)
INTIMACY AND STDs
While sex isn’t the only cause for intimacy in a relationship, it undeniably plays a huge role in the process. Friendship, love, and sex are the three major factors of intimacy. As of 2018, STDs are actually on the rise, so this is definitely something to take seriously.
But in this current age, sex (of any form) plays a huge role. This is why at-home STD test kits are very important. They’ll help us to realize early on if we’ve been infected or not
It is very imperative to educate ourselves as well as our loved ones on the necessary precautions to take if we find ourselves in a sexual relationship.
Besides the symptoms, having an STD affects people in different ways. While some may be affected socially, others may be affected emotionally, or psychologically.
For example, if a person tests positive for an STD, they are morally obligated to tell their sexual partners about the condition.
Doing this will ensure that the partner(s) is also tested and they are able to start their treatment early if they happen to be affected.
A person with an STD can become socially embarrassing, thereby withdrawing from friends and family. This could lead to emotional and psychological distress if the situation isn’t brought under control. (2)
SHOULD I GET AN STD TEST?
Yes, you should. If you are sexually active in any way, whether it’s oral, anal, or vaginal sex, you need to ensure that you get tested at home using Self Collect or head into your local family physician or health clinic.
Additionally, if you have found yourself in any of the situations listed below, then it’s important that you go for a clinical STD test or take an at-home STD test:
- You are a man having sex with one or more other men
- Your use intravenous drugs.
- You’re starting a sexual relationship with a new partner
- You’ve undergone forceful sexual intercourse
Getting tested for an STD test will not only allow you to know your status. It will also ensure that you get the required treatment and advice. You’ll also be provided with ways how to prevent it from spreading to other people.
Also, not every STD has a symptom. So, you may not know that you’ve been infected until it’s too late. And if you are unaware, you may unknowingly spread the disease too.
If you go for the test and the results turn out to be positive, your doctor will provide you with a treatment plan. Even if the STD is one of those that can’t be cured, he/she will provide you with a treatment plan that will suppress the effects of the disease and ensure that it isn’t transferred to other people.
HOW DO AT HOME STD TEST KITS COME INTO PLAY?
Now, you may be too shy to go to the hospital or too busy to get tested. This is why at-home STD test kits were created.
These kits are effective and very useful. They are able to run tests for quite a number of STDs including HIV, Hepatitis B, Chlamydia, Herpes, Gonorrhea, Gardnerella, Syphilis, Mycoplasma, Trichomoniasis, and Ureaplasma.
They are all linked to medical institutions so if your results come out positive, you can easily get a medical practitioner to assist you on what to do.
However, these test kits can only help you detect STDs. It is best to consult a medical professional for diagnosis, treatment, and medical advice.
Ana Miller is a creative writer. Her topics of interest and expertise range from psychology to all sorts of disciplines such as science and news.
