STD Testing
Hanson Clinic, PLC
Gynecologists & Obstetricians located in Edina, MN
Approximately half of sexually-active people in the United States will contract a sexually transmitted disease by the time they’re 25, but very few people are tested for STDs regularly. At Hanson Clinic, PLC in Minneapolis, Dr. Marilee Hanson, MD, FACOG, a gynecologist with over 20 years of experience, offers discreet STD testing services. Most STDs don’t cause noticeable symptoms in their early stages, so STD screening services are the only way to diagnose and treat STDs before they cause problems. Call or use online booking to schedule your appointment for STD testing today.
STD Testing Q & A
What are sexually transmitted diseases?
STDs are infections that are spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sexual contact. When you share body fluids like saliva, semen, or blood with another person, you put yourself at risk of contracting an STD.
Some common STDs include:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Herpes
- HIV/AIDS
You can contract an STD even if you’re not having penetrative sex and are a virgin. If you’re sexually active at all, you should talk to Dr. Hanson about your risk for STDs and get tested regularly.
Why is STD testing important?
STD testing is the only way to know if you have a sexually transmitted disease or not. Most STDs are asymptomatic, meaning they don’t cause symptoms in their early stages.
Like many other illnesses and diseases, STDs are treated more easily in their early stages, and the more quickly you get treatment, the lower your risk of long-term consequences such as infertility. Untreated STDs cause an estimated 24,000 American women to become infertile every year.
What should I expect during STD testing?
STD testing is often as simple as providing blood and urine samples, although some diseases like syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis may require a genital swab. The test for HPV is completed during your Pap smear.
Dr. Hanson offers in-office testing, including blood, draws, swabs, and urine sample collection, and sends your samples to a medical lab for analysis. In most cases, your results are prepared within three days.
There’s no need to feel nervous or embarrassed about getting tested for STDs. It’s just another test to protect your health and well-being. Dr. Hanson and her team are here to help you stay healthy, and her clinic is a judgment-free zone.
How can I protect myself from STDs?
The most effective way to avoid STDs is to abstain from sex. However, if you choose to be sexually active, you can take steps to protect yourself like always using a condom, even if you take a birth control pill, have an intrauterine device (IUD), or use another form of hormonal birth control. If a potential partner has any open sores, rashes, or signs of STDs, don’t have sex with them.
If you’re in a monogamous relationship, you and your partner should both be tested for STDs before engaging in unprotected sex.
Call Hanson Clinic, PLC in Minneapolis or make an appointment online today for STD testing and sexual health advice.