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April is STI Awareness Month, and this month (and every day) we’re focused on helping people take control of their sexual health. If the thought of having an STI has ever crossed your mind, you’re not the first. We’ve created a guide to help answer some of the most common questions around STIs.  

STI vs STD 

STI stands for “sexually transmitted infection,” and STD stands for “sexually transmitted disease.” No matter which term people use, they're talking about the same thing: infections that get passed from one person to another during sex. 

These infections have had many different names over the years, but STI is the most up-to-date term — educators and health care providers switched from STD to STI because “infection” is more accurate and less stigmatizing than “disease.” 

How Do You Get an STI? 

STIs are infections usually passed from one person to another during oral, anal, or vaginal sex. There are lots of different STIs. Some are carried in body fluids like semen (cum), vaginal fluids, and blood. Others can be passed just from skin-to-skin touching with an infected body area. Using barriers like condoms and dams helps you avoid contact with fluids and some types of skin-to-skin contact during sex. So, when you don’t use condoms, your chance of getting an STI goes up. 

What Are Some Symptoms of STIs? 

STI symptoms can come and go over time, but that doesn’t mean the STI is gone. It’s common for STI symptoms to be so mild that they don’t bother you, but you should still see a doctor or nurse if you notice anything that feels off. 

Different STIs have different symptoms. Signs of STIs include: 

  • sores or bumps on and around your genitals, thighs, or butt cheeks 

  • weird discharge from your vagina or penis 

  • burning when you pee and/or having to pee a lot 

  • itching, pain, irritation and/or swelling in your penis, vagina, vulva, or anus 

  • flu-like symptoms like fever, body aches, swollen glands, and feeling tired 

All of these symptoms can be caused by things that aren’t STIs (like pimples, UTIs, or yeast infections). Getting tested is the only way to know for sure what’s going on. 

Do I Need to Get Tested for STIs if I Don’t Have Any Symptoms? 

You can’t tell if you have an STI just by the way you look or feel — most of the time, people with STIs don’t have any symptoms. STIs can also spread to other people you have sex with, whether or not you have symptoms.  

So, the only way to know for sure if you (or your partner) have an STI is to get tested.  

It is extra important to get tested if you’ve had unprotected sexual contact, or if you find out your partner has an STI.  

Will My STI Just Go Away? 

Because STIs are infections, they will not go away on their own. Even though someone may feel totally fine right now, some STIs can impact a person’s health over time. Untreated STIs also carry the risk of being spread to others. Many STIs can actually be easily cured with medication prescribed by a health care provider. While there are some STIs that can’t be cured, there are ways to treat symptoms and help prevent that person from giving that STI to a sexual partner. 

How Do I Get Tested for an STI? 

STI testing isn’t always a part of a regular checkup or gynecologist exam, so it’s important to let your health care provider know that you want to get tested. 

Talking about STI testing might feel awkward but try not to be embarrassed. Remember, doctors have seen and heard it all. Most people get an STI at least once in their lives, and getting tested is the responsible thing to do — it means you’re taking good care of your health. 

Here are some ways you can bring up STI testing with a nurse or doctor: 

  • I’ve never been tested for STIs. Do I need to be? 

  • Have you ever tested me for any STIs during my checkups?   

  • What STIs should I watch out for? How will I know if I need to get tested? 

STI testing is quick, easy, and it usually doesn’t hurt. There’s not a single test for all STIs — each one has its own test. A provider at your local Planned Parenthood health center can help you figure out which tests you need. 

What Happens Next? 

It can take a few days to a few weeks to receive the results of an STI test. If you find out that you have an STI, it’s normal for emotions of frustration or embarrassment to come up. You are not alone; most people have tested positive for an STI at least once in their life. Millions have had STIs before, and millions are living with STIs now. It’s nothing to be ashamed of- it just means you’re a person who got an infection. 

The first thing you’ll need to do is to follow your health care provider’s directions for treating it. If you’re having sex with anyone, or have had sex with someone recently, it’s a good idea to let them know as well so they can access testing and treatment, as necessary. 

  

Taking care of our sexual health by getting tested and treated for STIs is important all year long, not just during STI Awareness Month. To make an appointment for STI testing or treatment at a health center near you, call 800-230-7526 or schedule a visit online. You can also text 'PPNOW' to 774636 (PPINFO) to talk to a trained health educator.  

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