We offer accurate and confidential STI testing and treatment options

If you're sexually active, it can be difficult to know when it's a good time to get tested. You should regularly get tested for STIs: 

• Every time you have a new sexual partner or partners
• If you've had unprotected sex 
• The barrier method, such as condoms and dental dams, has failed during sexual contact
• During your yearly health care check-ups

STI symptoms can be mild or come and go over time, but that doesn’t mean that it is gone. If you don’t have symptoms, it's important to still get tested regularly to prevent serious health problems and spreading to others. 

Different STIs have different symptoms. Some common symptoms may include: 

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

Most of the time, STIs do not have any symptoms. These symptoms may also be caused by things that aren’t STIs, like yeast infections and UTIs. So getting tested regularly is the only way to know for sure.

You can get tested at your local Planned Parenthood health center, a doctor’s office, and health clinics. 

STI testing isn’t always part of your regular check-up. So make sure to ask for STI  testing and they can help you figure out which tests are best for you.

Depending on where you go, you might be able to get tested for free. If you’re worried about cost, Planned Parenthood of Illinois is dedicated to providing you with the services you need, whether you have health insurance or not. Call today to learn more.

STI testing can be quick and painless. There's not a single test for all STIs. STI testing may include:

• A urine test — you pee into a cup.
• A cheek swab — you rub the inside of your cheek with a soft swab to test for HIV.
• A blood test — your nurse or doctor takes blood from your arm or a quick finger prick.
• A physical exam — your nurse or doctor looks at your genital area to check for warts, sores, rashes, irritation, or discharge.
• Testing your sores — your nurse or doctor takes a sample of fluid from any sores or blisters you have with a swab.
• Using a swab to gently take discharge or cell samples from your penis, vagina, urethra, cervix, anus, or throat.  

Be prepared to answer confidential questions about your sexual history. It's important to be honest with your doctor or nurse about your sex life, so they can help you figure out which tests you need.

It can feel awkward to bring up STI testing, but it’s important. Talking about getting tested shows you care about your partner, and it may even bring you closer.

The best time to talk about getting tested is before you start having sex (including oral sex). Getting tested with a new partner is super important and one of the best ways to prevent STIs.

If you tested positive for an STI, it’s really important to let your partner and any past partners know, so they can get tested, too. It’s no fun to tell the person you’re dating that you have an STI, but it’s the right thing to do, and helps keep everyone healthy. 

Check out these tips on how to start the conversation.

If you test positive for an STI , the next step is to consider further testing and then get treatment as recommended by your doctor or nurse. You should also inform your partner(s), so they can also be evaluated and treated.

If you have been diagnosed with an STI, you are not alone. STIs are very common. Many are curable and all are treatable. STIs that are not curable can be treated and managed with medication.

It’s important to get treated if you have an STI, because some STIs can cause serious health problems and can be spread to others if left untreated. Testing and treatment is the best way to protect yourself and your partner(s).