When it comes to taking care of your sexual health, regular testing for sexually transmitted infections (STDs) is vital.
However, some people may wonder if the way you take the test is different depending on your gender. Is the test different for men than for women?
In this blog, we will touch on what STDs are, how they are transmitted, how they are detected and tested, and how testing for STDs may be different for men than for women.
So, if you’re a man who wants to prioritize your sexual health, keep reading to learn all about STD testing. If you are a woman, you might find this interesting too!
What are STDs?
First things first, let’s clarify what STDs actually are.
STDs (sometimes called sexually transmitted diseases or STDs) are infections that are transmitted primarily through sexual contact, such as vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Some STDs can also be spread through non-sexual acts such as skin-to-skin contact or sharing intravenous drug needles.
Some common STDs include:
Sexually transmitted infections are a serious health problem, especially if you are sexually active. Getting tested regularly is the best way to make sure you stay healthy and protect both yourself and your sexual partner or partners. These infections, if left untreated, can have very harmful effects on your health. Some infections can cause infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and even more serious conditions such as Tertiary Syphilis and AIDS.
How are most STDs diagnosed?
Men can contract a variety of STDs, just like women. But how do you know if you have one?
It can be tempting to determine whether you have a sexually transmitted infection from your symptoms. However, the presence of symptoms does not necessarily determine the presence of infection. This is because most infections are asymptomatic, which means that even if they are present in your body, they may not produce symptoms.
Most STDs are detected through laboratory tests. This usually involves providing a sample to a medical professional that can be analyzed. This analysis usually involves looking for the natural presence of a virus, bacteria or protozoa in the sample provided, or looking for the antibodies your body produces to fight the infection in question.
Most STD tests require blood or urine samples. Sometimes, a swab of the affected area (such as a throat or genital swab) may be taken to collect the sample for testing.
How is sample collection different for men?
Sample collection is no different for men in the vast majority of cases.
An STI test usually involves a blood or urine sample, and the collection methods for these are more or less the same for both women and men.
A swab sample may be required when a urine or blood sample will not detect the presence of the infection. A chlamydia infection of the rectum, for example, or a gonorrhea infection of the throat, would require a swab to collect a sample.
The only times the experience may differ is when the genitals are swabbed. When a woman undergoes a swab, the sample is often taken only from the vagina, but some testing may require a cervical swab. If this type of specimen is required, a speculum is first inserted into the sinus to allow access to the area to be removed. When a man undergoes a swab, the swab collects a sample from the tip of the penis or from a blemish or wound on the skin. Swabs can be uncomfortable, especially if there is severe inflammation of the urethra or vagina. Discomfort levels with plasters vary from person to person.
Final thoughts
Knowing how to get tested for STDs is essential to prioritizing your sexual health. Although the sample collection process may differ slightly for men and women, it is generally simple and easy. The most important thing is to get regular tests and seek treatment if you test positive for an STD.
At Better2Know, we offer comprehensive STD testing services that are easy, affordable and confidential. Book your STD test today and take a proactive step to protect your sexual health.
