STD affects your reproductive and sexual organs. If you are sexually active, you have a much higher chances of getting sexually transmitted diseases. In order to protect your life from further health hazards, you need to know everything about STI.

When You Doubt You Have an STI

When you make sexual contact with someone, you may experience some kind of symptoms that are not normal. You will feel a little different about your body, this is the time when you need to be sure of the infection. Remember, Testing and screening are different! Though the terms are often used interchangeably but they do carry different meaning. Testing requires your doctor to check if you have shown him some signs like that of sore throat or as such. Screening means you go for a check but without any symptoms. Screening helps in identifying the abnormal cells being developed in your body which further helps in identifying your disease way before you get the actual symptoms.

The only disadvantage of STI is that, even if the infection is inside you, you may not know about it. The symptoms of both men and women are different and both need to see it carefully. Sometimes the symptoms are so genuine that it looks just fine with some people.

Screening for different types of infection

The screening test for the disease is different from the type of the diseases. In order to know about your sexual health, a blood STI check in London isn’t enough to catch. Like for example, syphilis and HIV will need blood samples for screening, gonorrhea and chlamydia may require either a urine screen, a throat swab, rectal swab, or all three. For those who indulge in unprotected oral sex need to give their urine test and have their throat swabbed.

The best part about screening is, you don’t have to prepare much! Unlike any other blood tests, you are not supposed to stop eating or drinking before this screening. In the test, where you need to give your urine, you are not allowed to pee for 2 hours prior to the test- that’s the only exception.

The doctors look for the DNA of the STD organism. When you pee frequently prior to the test, you are passing out the urethra of that DNA build-up. Because of such reason the doctors will tell you to avoid peeing for 2 hours. Sometimes the test doesn’t seem to be alright and the doctors might call you again for accurate test results.

Men and women have different types of symptoms but both consist of the same variation. The difference happens because of the different sexual organs. Let’s study on the individual symptoms.

What are the symptoms shown in men?

Men have the following symptoms:

• If you experience any foul smell from your penis
• If you have any burning sensation while peeing
• If you face painful experience in your sexual activity
• If you have excessive itching on your penis and surrounding areas
• If you have bumps on your penis and see some type of rashes on it
• If you bleed from your penis

Women have the following symptoms:

• They are likely to have an unusual discharge from their vagina or some type of foul smell
• If you have any burning feeling when urinating
• When you experience pain while having sex or masturbating
• If you have too much itching on your vagina
• When you have unusual bumps on your genitals
• When you experience heavier bleeding than what you have normally

What complications you have when you both are HIV positive?

A lot of couples do find it safe when they both are victims of HIV. but this is necessarily not true. If being sexually infected, you still continue to protect yourself, this will help both of you to get rid of other types of sexually transmitted diseases.

The process begins with the healthcare provider who looks for the direct signs from your body such as your genitals, mouth or anus. They look for any type of infections. The test is similar to that of a pelvic exam. The provider takes the samples and send them in the laboratory to further look at the microscopic level. You will get STI tests at Walk in STI Clinic in London, community health centres, or visit your family doctor or any sexual health clinic.

Use of barriers

There are many types of barriers that will help you in blocking the dangerous diseases getting directly inside your body. Condoms are the best method to prevent STIs knocking at your door.

There are some other techniques which will surely help you in getting rid of the infection.

For example:

• Don’t stick to one method. Make a habit of using new barrier every time you have sex.
• Prefer buying only the latex condoms. These are designed to prevent diseases.
• Only use water-based lubricants, such as K-Y jelly with latex condoms.
• Avoid using any type of condom that is, discolored, sticky, or brittle, or in a damaged package.
• During oral sex, cover the entire genital or anal area with a barrier.

Is there any right time for testing?

Testing for STI has got no right or exact time. As mentioned above, if you are struggling with these kinds of symptoms, you are much more likely to have any one of the STD. the only thing you have to keep in mind is that if you are sexually involved with someone, you must get tested for STI.

The disadvantage of STI is, you will not be notified with any of the symptoms. These infections can stay in your body for years with no signs at all. It’s only through the testing that you realise you have one luring inside your body. If you are in a relationship with your partner and do indulge in oral sex and masturbation with each other, you both must get tested for STI as it will help you in securing your life early.

The types of tests which are required for you depends on the symptoms. So notice your symptoms properly and make a note of all of them so that it would be easy for you to explain your gynaecologist. The nurse will inform you about the test they need to perform on you and how you should be preparing yourself. HIV test happens with the patient’s consent and there is no force involved here. The sooner you will be detected about the STI, the sooner it will be treated. Consult with a doctor at your nearest Harley Street GP practice and get the queries resolved within minutes.