I know, I know. You probably heard it all in your high school health class, but listen, this is a serious subject that many people avoid and ignore altogether, especially in high school and college, but listen, I'm going to explain to you why it is extremely important to make sure you go and get tested if you are sexually active, not only for the safety of your partner(s), but also for your own safety.
1. STDs are more common than you think.
According to statistics from the American Sexual Health Association, the Center of Disease Control (CDC) estimated that nearly 20 million new STDs occur every year in this country with half of those being among people ages 15-24.
Symptoms for quite a few STDs can go unnoticed. This is ver common in diseases such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes, HIV, and even Syphilis.
Right now, according to the CDC, around 1.1 million people are living with HIV and 1 in 7 of them aren't even aware of it.
Sadly, a recent survey showed that only about 12% of those aged 15-24 were tested for STIs in the last year. (http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/stdsstis/statistic...)
2. It is important in regards to your health.
It is estimated that around 80% of sexually active people will have an HPV infection at some point in their lifetime. HPV can lead to a couple of different health problems with one of the biggest being cancers such as cervical cancer, anal cancer, vaginal cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, and vulvar cancer.
Chlamydia is a disease that can lead to damage of the reproductive organs and this could even lead to infertility later on in life if untreated and like I previously stated, Chlamydia is one that can often go unnoticed without any symptoms.
3. Some colleges do offer lower-cost, if not free STD testing.
Since STDs are so commonly spread among college students these days, many colleges and universities will offer testing for a low-cost or for free. The most common types of testing offered through colleges and universities include testing for HIV, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea.
If you don't want to go through your school, you can always just head over to your local Planned Parenthood for free STD testing.
4. It's quick and easy.
I promise you, I've been through it a couple of times. Testing is super quick and easy and it's really not as scary as you think. Just head to wherever you feel most comfortable going to and it usually takes less than 3 minutes. You're in and you're out. It's always better to know that you're doing what you can to make sure you're completely healthy and it's even a relief sometimes when you're afraid that you might have something and then everything comes back just fine.
5. Even if things don't come back good, it's going to be okay.
I know this might sound crazy to you, but if your results come back positive for an STD, it won't be the end of the world. STDs like Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are pretty easily treatable with antibiotics. HIV's progress can be slowed and HPV will normally either go away on its own or the symptoms can be treated, so you'll still be able to have a normal sex life without giving it to your partner. Your doctor will help you. Everything will be okay no matter what.
It is important to take care of yourself and do all that you can to make sure that you are healthy, so just go get tested every couple weeks or months. It is important to get tested at least two or three times a year. Just take care of your partner and yourself.
