Three Necessary Things for Testing STDs at Home

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are highly contagious for sexually active people. But testing STDs is uneasy because of shy or faulty feeling, so many people with STDs often ignore it. To make the process of testing STDs easier, you can test STDs at home. But if you want to self-diagnose, there’re three necessary things for testing STDs at home you should notice.

Could I Get STDs at Home?

STDs sometimes don’t show up any symptoms, so it’s hard for people to know they have been infected with STDs or not. But if you experience abnormal symptoms in the genitals after having unprotected sex, an STD may come to your mind. What happens if you’re too shy and scared to see a doctor? Can you self-diagnose your STDs at home? The answer is “possible”. You can be able to diagnose your STDs at home based on the symptoms you have.

However, self-diagnosis at home can give a false result that leads to improper treatment. Thus, you should talk to your doctor after testing STDs at home. The doctor may examine and do some tests to give an accurate diagnosis. Then, proper treatment is prescribed for you.

Related: Top 10 Important Things About Sexual Health Your Gynaecologist Hope You Know

Three Necessary Things for Testing STDs at Home

If you are shy to go to the doctor’s office for testing STDs, you can self-diagnose at home. But there’re necessary things for testing STDs at home you should know, including

1. A Home STD Test Kit

For testing STDs at home, a home STD test kit is necessary as it allows you to collect a sample for yourself and then send to the lab to test. The home STD test kit is available for many common STDs, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. You can order a test for one specific STD or a test for many STDs at the same time.

After ordering an STD test kid at home, you should follow the instruction carefully and send the sample as soon as possible. You will gather a sample from yourself by using the kit. This may include a urine sample, a swab from the gums, or taking a blood prick sample.

If you receive a positive test result, you should go to your doctor’s office to confirm the diagnosis. Then, you can ask your doctor about treatment options.

Related: Why You Should Let Your Doctor Know About Your Sexual Health

2. Looking for Abnormal Symptoms

  Although many STDs don’t present symptoms, you may still have an STD. One day, if you notice any abnormal symptoms, you should check for what STD you get, including

For genital warts

Check if you have symptoms of genital warts– an STD caused by HPV

• A cluster of soft-skin colored bumps in the genitals
• The bumps are painless and not itching, but they cause discomfort
• Abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis
• Burning, pain, or bleeding when urinating or during sex

Related: Can You Accurately Test Yourself for Genital Warts?

For Chlamydia

Chlamydia mostly doesn’t show up symptoms. But the following symptoms may indicate this STD

• Pain in your lower abdomen
• Pain during urination
• Vaginal discharge
• Bleeding between your periods
• Abnormal discharge from the penis or the vagina
• Pain in your testicles

For Gonorrhea

You may get gonorrhea if you experience

• Thick, murky discharge from the genitals
• Pain from the bowel movements
• Pain during urination
• Swollen testicles if you’re male
• Bleeding between periods
• An irritated anus

For Trichomoniasis

You can contract trichomoniasis when you see

• Abnormal discharge which looks white, clear, greenish, and yellowish
• Strong odor from the vagina
• Itching or irritation of the vagina
• Pain during urination and intercourse

For HIV

This STD will worsen your immune system, consult with your doctor if you feel

• Flu-like symptoms
• Fever
• A sore throat
• Headaches
• Rashes
• Swollen lymph glands
• Fatigue
• Other severe symptoms, like weight loss, coughing, and diarrhea

For genital herpes

Genital herpes is a highly contagious STD that cause

• Tingling and burning sensation at the affected area
• Small blisters, bumps on the genital areas that are very itching and burning
• Burning when urinating
• Painful during intercourse

3. Look Back Your Risk of STDs

If you have symptoms of an STD, take a look back your risks of that STD. You should

• Assess the risk of your sexual behaviors. Unprotected sex, many sexual partners, and having a history of STDs contribute to your risk of getting an STD. If you have symptoms of an STD, you should think about your sexual behaviors in the last time.
• Evaluate whether alcohol controls your behavior. Drinking can have a serious impact on your judgment. This can put you at risk of getting an STD. if you think alcohol controls your behavior, you should consider reducing your consumption.

Is It Better to See a Doctor for a Diagnosis?

It’s always the best idea to see your doctor if you recognize symptoms of an STD. Although you can self-diagnose at home, it may be not correct. Thus, it’s better to see your doctor for an accurate result. Your doctor will examine your symptoms and do some tests to diagnose your STDs. Then, the doctor will prescribe proper treatment for you.

For example, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics to treat gonorrhea or chlamydia. But for genital herpes or genital warts, there’s no cure for both STDs completely. The doctor may give antiviral medications, topical creams, or alternatives therapy to treat. If you’re positive with genital warts, some topical creams, like Imiquimod, Vidarox can help. Laser or surgery therapy will also be used to remove large genital warts.

Every sexually active person has an equal chance of contracting STDs. If you doubt about your STD, you can prepare some necessary things for testing STD at home. However, it’s always recommended to see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and receive proper treatment.