A 21-year-old member asked:
If i am sexually active, but safe, how often should i get tested for stds?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Marcus Degrawanswered
Pediatrics 23 years experience
Early and Often: You should get tested (and your partner) before having sex with any new partner. Its also a good idea to get testing every 6-12 months with a doctors visit and exam as well. You may need more frequent care if you (or a partner) are more risky - ie unprotected sex, multiple partners, anal sex, IV drug use, etc...
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Raul Hernandezanswered
Urology 39 years experience
Not usually: If you are truly safe and have no physical or functional symptoms, there should be no reason for you to need an std evaluation at any particular interval.
Knowing your partner, limiting your number of partners, regular self exams and listening to your body, should be your guidelines.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 41-year-old member asked:
How often do you need to get STD testing if you are sexually active? What counts as "sexually active"?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Hunter Handsfieldanswered
Infectious Disease 54 years experience
It varies a lot: "Sexually active" can mean anything from mutually monogamous with one uninfected partner to multiple casual sex partners (perhaps without condoms) every week. The first doesn't need STD testing at all, the second as often as once a month. Sex of partners is important -- higher risk for gay men than straight men and women. For most hetersexual singles, every 6-12 months probably is about right.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
How often should you get tested for STIs if you're sexually active?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Hunter Handsfieldanswered
Infectious Disease 54 years experience
It varies a lot: "Sexually active" can mean anything from mutually monogamous with one uninfected partner to multiple casual sex partners (perhaps without condoms) every week. The first doesn't need STD testing at all, the second as often as once a month. Sex of partners is important -- higher risk for gay men than straight men and women. For most hetersexual singles, every 6-12 months probably is about right.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 12, 2015
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