Std Information

One in two sexually active young people will get an STD by 25, and most do not have symptoms.

Sexual Health

Every time you have sex, you risk getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD), also called a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

The CDC recommends all sexually active persons be tested for STDs every three months.

What Are STDs?

STDs are sexually transmitted diseases (also known as sexually transmitted infections) that can be passed from person to person during sexual activity, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex, outercourse, and mutual masturbation.

STDs can be transmitted through bodily fluids and, sometimes, skin-to-skin contact. You don’t need to be experiencing symptoms to be contagious. You can spread or contract the disease at any time.

Common STD Symptoms

It is not uncommon to have an STD with no symptoms. But STDs can still cause severe damage and can be passed to your partner(s) and you without your knowledge.

Early detection is essential for effective treatment. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are a few common symptoms to look for if you suspect you might have an STD.

Symptoms include:

• Painful or burning urination
• Discharge from the vagina or penis
• Itching or discomfort in the genital area
• Pain during sex
• Sores or bumps on the genitals or in the oral or rectal area

STD Prevention

Information is one of the most effective weapons against the spread of disease. Many STDs are curable with antibiotics, but some are incurable. We want to reduce the stigma and fear associated with STDs so you will feel confident getting tested.  Men and women who have any other STDs are up to five times more likely to get HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.  This is one reason it’s important to get tested.

No-Cost STD Testing

It’s essential to check your sexual health status. We provide confidential, respectful services and complete information.

WCMC provides no-cost and confidential lab tests and physical exams for the following STDs:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• HIV
• Trichomoniasis
• Herpes
• Hepatitis B
• Bacterial Vaginosis
• HPV

Tests are based on your STD health assessment and determined by our medical professionals. Most STD appointments take about an hour and are offered at no cost.

Call Women’s Care Medical Center at (251) 206-6783 or text (251) 206-6783 to schedule an appointment or sign up online.

All clients that test positive can receive a prescription for treatment or a referral for ongoing medical care if needed.

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, which can cause serious, permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system.  This can make it difficult or impossible for her to get pregnant later on.  Chlamydia can also cause a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb). An ectopic pregnancy requires further medical treatment to ensure there are no complications.

Chlamydia is the most prevalent STD.

How is Chlamydia spread?

You can get chlamydia by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has chlamydia, even if your sex partner does not ejaculate.

75% of women who are infected with Chlamydia do not know they have it, because they have NO SYMPTOMS.

Common Symptoms

Chlamydia often has no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems, even without symptoms.  If symptoms occur, they may not appear until several weeks after exposure.

Common symptoms include:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Burning sensation with urination
• Lower abdominal pain
• Lower back pain
• Painful intercourse

Common symptoms in men include:

• Discharge from the penis
• Burning sensation with urination
• Burning and itching around the opening of the penis

Can Chlamydia affect my pregnancy?

If you are pregnant and have chlamydia, you can give the infection to your baby during delivery.  This can cause an eye infection or pneumonia in your baby.  Having chlamydia may also make it more likely to deliver your baby early.  Even if you are planning to have an abortion, it’s important to know if you have an STD before you schedule your abortion.  For more information, please see Abortion & STIs.

What happens if I don’t get treated?

The initial damage that chlamydia causes often goes unnoticed.  However, chlamydia can lead to serious health problems. Untreated chlamydia can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).

Complications of PID include:

• Formation of scar tissue that blocks fallopian tubes
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Infertility (inability to get pregnant)
• Long-term pelvic/abdominal pain
• Increased chance of getting HIV

The good news is Chlamydia is curable, but early detection is important.  Schedule an appointment today to get tested.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm

What is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract in women and men.  It can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, and throat.

How is Gonorrhea spread?

You can get gonorrhea by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has gonorrhea.

Common Symptoms

Gonorrhea often has no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems, even without symptoms.

Common symptoms in women include:

• Painful or burning sensation when urinating
• Increased vaginal discharge
• Vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods

Common symptoms in men include:

• Burning sensation when urinating
• White, yellow, or green discharge from the penis
• Painful or swollen testicles

Can Gonorrhea affect my pregnancy?

If you are pregnant and have gonorrhea, you can give the infection to your baby during delivery.  This can cause serious health problems for your baby.  If you are pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about testing and treatment.  Even if you are planning to have an abortion, it’s important to know if you have an STD before you schedule your abortion.  For more information, check out Abortion & STIs.

What happens if I don’t get treated?

Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems, including Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).

Complications of PID are:

• Formation of scar tissue that blocks fallopian tubes
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Infertility (inability to get pregnant)
• Long-term pelvic/abdominal pain
• Increased chance of getting HIV

Gonorrhea is curable, but early detection and treatment is important.  Schedule an appointment today to get tested.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea.htm

What You Need to Know

1. There are no federal regulations for quality of care at abortion clinics.
2. Abortion clinics may or may not test patients for potential STIs.
3. Undiagnosed STIs can spread during a surgical abortion.
4. A surgical abortion may push an undiagnosed STI further into the reproductive system. This could lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease if you have chlamydia, gonorrhea, or bacterial vaginosis.
5. All women considering abortion should be tested for STIs, even if they are not experiencing any symptoms, to ensure that there are no possible complications from existing STIs.
6. Even if you are planning to take the abortion pill, it’s important to be tested prior to taking the drugs.

Are you interested in being tested for STDs? At Women’s Care Medical Center, we are here to help you receive the testing and peace of mind that you deserve.

If you believe you are at risk of developing an STD, please contact our center to schedule and appointment and get the answers you need. We are here for you!