What’s your New Year’s resolution? I know, I know. You’ve been asked about a hundred times. It’s only been one month into the New Year and you’ve probably already broken it. Getting in better shape, being more positive, and getting better grades are all answers that sound more like a broken record. But I’ve got one that is easy, painless, and almost effortless… And even better, you really only have to do it about twice a year: Getting checked for STD’s.
Again, I know. You’ve been lectured on the importance of getting checked almost as many times as you’ve heard someone say their New Year’s resolution is to get in better shape. Well, you’re going to hear it again from me, and probably not for the last time. Getting checked regularly is necessary, not only for your health, but also for your partner’s.
AGAIN, I know. It’s a scary thought. Walking into the gynecologist’s office knowing they’re about to get all up in your business and see a side of you that barely anyone gets to see. We’ve all been there. Even scarier is that you might be told that you do in fact have an STD. But suck it up. It’s better to know and get it taken care of rather than it turning into something worse.
It only takes one partner and one time for you to get an STD, and most of the time there are no symptoms. With 1 out of 4 Americans having an STD, it really is more common than you think. In a study done specifically for UCF students that tested positive for STDS, 3/4 of them had no symptoms what-so-ever, so even though you may think you aren’t at risk, it’s important to request an STD test every time you go to the gynecologist. Don’t just assume they are automatically doing it.
Below are some specific symptoms that may show for some STD’s and common health issues they could be mistaken for.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: Discharge/burning when you urinate/vaginal bleeding in between periods
Genital herpes: Discharge/irritation or itching (Bacterial Vaginosis)
Trichomoniasis: Discharge/odor/irritation or itching
HPV: Genital warts, or no symptoms at all
Could be mistaken for: Yeast Infection, Bacterial Vaginosis, Urinary Tract Infection, pregnancy, imbalanced hormones, stress
Since there are so many things it could be, you really need to get tested to make sure you get it taken care of for your health and your partner’s. You don’t want to have to tell your next partner that you gave them an STD.
If you leave an STD untreated for a long time, it’s possible that you’ll get pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection of the womb, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, which can prevent you from getting pregnant.
It’s so easy for you to get tested that there really is no excuse not to. Next time you go to the gynecologist, ask them to test you for STD’s while you are there. The UCF Health Center does free STD tests by appointment and free HIV screenings. Screenings are held in the Student Union in Room 224. The next dates are February 15th and March 21st from 11-3 PM.