STD Testing for Men does not have to be painful or complex. Now most tests can be done with simple blood, urine and swab tests.
The tests that you need to do really depend on your sexual practices.
Essential Tests – HIV and Syphilis
No STD Testing for Men is complete without HIV and Syphilis screening.
These are blood tests. They are now available as rapid tests. All it takes is a few drops of blood from the tip of your finger. Results are ready in 20 minutes or less.
Any positive result from a rapid test is then verified by a blood test with blood drawn from the arm.
Note that both HIV and Syphilis have testing window periods. In other words, there is a gap from the time a person is infected to when the tests become accurate. Talk to our Doctors to find out which test is best suited for your unique situation.
Men who are Insertive Partners
This refers to a man who inserts his penis into his partner’s mouth, vagina and/or anus.
These sex acts would place you at risk of getting an infection inside the penis’ urine tube (urethra) or on the skin of the penis.
The common STDs that infect the Urethra are Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and NSU. All these 3 STDs can easily be detected in a urine sample. These STDs are very common and contagious. However, they are also very easy to treat and cure.
The STDs that can infect the skin on and around the penis are HPV, Herpes, Molluscum Contagiosum, Chancroid, Scabies and Lice. Screening for these diseases is more complicated. You should discuss these with our Doctors to see if you need to screen for them as part of your STD Testing for Men.
Men who use their Mouths on their Partner’s Genitals
This refers to Men who use their mouths on their partner’s vagina, anus or penis.
The common STDs that can infect the throat are Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. These can be detected by a painless throat swab.
HPV is the other common STD that can infect the throat. Screening for HPV also involves a throat swab. However, this test has some limitations. Talk to our Doctors to see if this test is appropriate for your unique exposure situation.
The STDs that can affect the skin around the mouth are HPV, Herpes and Molluscum Contagiosum. Similar to the penis, testing for these infections around the mouth has some implications. You should discuss with our Doctors to see if these tests are right for you.
Men who use their mouth on their partner’s anus are also at risk of other infections like Hepatitis A.
Men who Practice Receptive Anal Sex
This refers to Men who allow their partner to use their mouth, penis, finger or sex toy to penetrate their anus.
The common STDs that can infect the anus are Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. These infections can be detected via a painless rectal swab. This involved inserting a very small cotton swab (like a Q-Tip) into the anus. These infections are common and contagious but easily treated and cured.
HPV also commonly infected the anus. It can cause unsightly warts around the anus. In certain high risk populations of men, it can also lead to rectal cancer. HPV screening for the anus has some limitations. You should talk to our Doctors if a HPV anus swab is recommended as part of your STD Testing for Men.
Herpes, Molluscum Contagiosum and Chancroid can infect the skin around the anus. Similar to other areas, testing for these infections have certain implications and you should discuss these with our Doctors before proceeding.
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