How is STD Test Done for Women?

How is STD Test Done for Women?

Do you think you are infected with some STD? A test is the only way to find out whether you are infected. Tests for males and females are same in most cases, but in females, a pelvic exam is recommended to rule out any infection in the reproductive system.

STD tests for females

A typical female STD test depends on the type of symptoms you are having or the infection you are doubtful about.

The following are the common tests for females:

• Rapid Plasma Reagin Test or RPR test for Syphilis
• HSV IgG Test and HSV IgM Test for Herpes
• Polymerase Chain Reaction or PCR, Western Blot, and Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay or ELISA Test for HIV
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Test
• HVC Antibody Test
• Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology or NAAT for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
• Cervical sample testing
• Urinary Analysis Test

Test for PID

PID or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is specific to females. Doctors recommend a blood test and a pelvic examination to diagnose it.

Blood tests are common for almost all STDS, including Herpes, HIV/AIDS, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B. The tests are mostly accurate and form the standard procedure to diagnose a disease.

Blood test

The doctor or nurse would take your blood sample from the back of your hand or from your arm. Skilled hands hardly produce pain; you might just feel a prick of the needle.

Swab

This is another common way to test for STD in females. The doctor uses a cotton swab to collect tissue sample from the affected area. This test is effective in determining STDs like Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, PID, and Trichomoniasis.

Pelvic examination

This is an internal examination of the vaginal area to catch signs of disease or infection. The doctor may also insert a metal speculum into your vagina for an internal examination. She may also use a cotton swab to take a sample for lab testing. If needed, the doctor may go deeper to examine any abnormality in your uterus.

The best place for STD test

STD test is different from a regular medical test. You don’t feel shy in undergoing a regular medical examination; but you may feel shy to undergo full STD screening. Because of the social stigma attached to sexually transmitted diseases, many people refrain from getting themselves tested. They believe they are infected, yet they ignore.

This is dangerous and can even send you in a life-threatening condition. So, please do not avoid undergoing a test, if you believe you are infected.

According to doctors, you must not wait for symptoms to appear to undergo a test. Most STDs don’t show symptoms. So, if you have had unprotected sex with somebody whose sexual history is unknown, you must not delay in undergoing a STD test as a precautionary measure. One of the best places to undergo a test is your nearby STD clinic. They conduct anonymous testing, which is a huge relief to many people. Testing takes just 10 minutes. So, do not delay. Your health is in your hands. Take a test. Be safe.