top of the pagedecision point
sti testing: should i get tested for a sexually transmitted infection?
you may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
sti testing: should i get tested for a sexually transmitted infection?
1get the | 2compare | 3your | 4your | 5quiz | 6your summary |
get the facts
your options
- have a blood or urine test or some other test to screen for sexually transmitted infections.
- don't have the test.
this choice isn't for you if you believe you've been exposed to an sti or you have symptoms of an sti. you need to have a test as soon as possible.
this topic doesn't cover decisions about testing for hiv or testing for hepatitis b and c. for more information, see the topics hiv testing: should i get tested for human immunodeficiency virus? and hepatitis b and c: should i be tested?
key points to remember
- many health professionals recommend having a routine screening test for certain stis if you have a high risk for infection. for example, you're at high risk if you're younger than 25 and sexually active, or if you've had more than one partner in the past year. some sti tests are recommended for people who are pregnant whether or not they have a high risk for infection.
- some stis don't cause symptoms, or they can cause symptoms that go away. so unless you have a test, you may not know that you have an sti.
- sti testing can help find an infection early. if you know that you have an infection, you can get treatment and prevent spreading the infection to others.
- left untreated, some stis can lead to serious problems. for example, if a pregnant person has an sti when during birth, the newborn may have the disease.
- if your test shows that you have an sti, your sex partner(s) will need to know so they can be tested.
- some stis can be cured with treatment. others can't be cured, but treatment can help with symptoms.
- you may not need to be tested if you aren't sexually active, you have a very low risk for infection, or you and your doctor have already discussed whether you need a test.
faqs
what is an sti?
sexually transmitted infections are diseases spread by sexual contact. some of the most common stis are:
- chlamydia.
- genital herpes.
- genital warts or human papillomavirus (hpv).
- gonorrhea.
- hepatitis b.
- human immunodeficiency virus (hiv), which causes aids.
- syphilis.
- trichomoniasis.
left untreated, some stis can lead to serious problems. for example:
- certain high-risk types of hpv can cause cervical cancer, penile cancer, and rectal and oral cancer.
- some stis can be passed from a pregnant person to the newborn, which can cause serious problems for the baby.
- chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (pid). pid can lead to serious problems, including not being able to have a baby (infertility).
- syphilis can cause problems with pregnancy, nerve and heart problems, and death.
- gonorrhea can increase the risk of bladder cancer in men.
how are stis treated?
treatment is available for all sexually transmitted infections (stis) to relieve symptoms, even if a cure isn't possible.
some of the most common stis—chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis—are caused by bacteria and are treated and cured with antibiotics.
stis caused by viruses, such as genital herpes and genital warts, aren't cured with antibiotics. but treatments are available to relieve symptoms.
what sti tests do experts recommend be done routinely?
having a routine sti test means getting tested even though you don't have symptoms of an infection. experts say that certain groups should be routinely tested for certain stis. some expert opinions may vary, and your doctor may recommend testing based on your personal history.
what increases your risk of a sexually transmitted infection (sti)?
- have unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex (not using condoms or not using them correctly).
- are a man (or were assigned male at birth) who has sex with other men (or people assigned male at birth).
- have a new sex partner or more than one sex partner.
- have a high-risk sex partner. high-risk partners include people who have more than one sex partner, people who have an sti, and people whose other partners have an sti.
- are younger than age 25.
- have a current sti or a history of stis.
- have sex while using alcohol or drugs.
- trade sex for drugs or money.
chlamydia
the public health agency of canada (phac) recommends a chlamydia test for people who areyounger than 25, pregnant, or at risk for another sti or blood-borne infection.footnote 2
gonorrhea
if you are younger than 30, your doctor may recommend a gonorrhea test during routine checkups.footnote 1
syphilis
the phac recommends a syphilis test for all pregnant .footnote 3
what are the tests for stis?
tests for stis are fairly simple. if you have a test for chlamydia or gonorrhea, a nurse or doctor will test for bacteria that cause the infections. you may have a urine test, or the doctor may take a sample of body fluid from the throat, inside the tip of the penis, or inside the rectum or vagina. a gonorrhea culture test also may be done to see if the bacteria are resistant to antibiotics.
a syphilis test looks for antibodies to the bacteria that cause syphilis. your doctor may do a blood test or may test body fluid or tissue. a follow-up test may be done to confirm the infection.
what are the benefits of getting tested?
getting tested can help find an infection early or when you have no symptoms. this is important so that:
- you can get treatment and avoid long-term problems, such as not being able to have a baby (infertility).
- if you know that you have an sti, you can get treatment and avoid spreading the infection to others.
- if you know that you have an sti, you can tell your sex partner(s) so they can be treated and can avoid spreading the infection.
- if you're pregnant, an sti test can find an infection so you don't spread the infection to your newborn.
what are the risks of getting tested?
- if your test shows that you have an sti, your sex partner(s) will need to know and get tested, which may affect your relationship.
- if you have an sti, your doctor may be required by law to report it to your local health unit. you may be asked for names and addresses of your sex partners.
- you could have a false-positive test result, which shows that you have the disease when you actually don't. this could cause you unneeded worry and treatment.
- for syphilis, you could have a false-negative result, which shows that you don't have the disease when you actually do. (sometimes the test can't find the antibodies yet.) so you might infect others because you don't think you have the disease.
why might your doctor recommend that you get tested?
your doctor may want you to be tested if:
- you have a high risk for getting an sti.
- you are pregnant.
compare your options
compare
what is usually involved? | ||
|---|---|---|
what are the benefits? | ||
what are the risks and side effects? |
get tested for stisget tested for stis
- you have a blood or urine test or some other test.
- you may have a follow-up test, such as a gonorrhea culture to see if the bacteria are resistant to antibiotics.
- if the test shows that you have an infection, you can take steps to avoid spreading the disease to others.
- you can tell others so they can decide whether to be tested.
- if you're pregnant, you can avoid spreading the infection to your newborn.
- a test could find an infection early and help you avoid long-term problems from the disease.
- getting tested may give you peace of mind.
- if you have an sti, your doctor may have to report it to the local health unit. the health unit may contact your sex partner(s).
- telling people that you have an sti may be hard for you and can affect your relationships.
- your test could give a false-positive result, which means that the results show that you have an infection when you don't.
- your test could give a false-negative result, which means that the results show that you don't have an infection when you do.
don't get tested for stisdon't get tested for stis
- you take steps to avoid getting or spreading an sti.
- you consider getting tested in the future if your lifestyle changes or you become at risk for an sti.
- you won't have the risk of getting a false-positive or false-negative test result.
- you won't have a test you don't need (if you know you're not at risk for an sti.)
- if you have an sti, you won't find out, and you may spread the infection to others.
- if you're pregnant and have an sti, you could spread the infection to your newborn.
- you won't be able to tell other people that they are at risk and might want to get tested. they could spread the infection to others.
- you could have long-term problems from an untreated infection.
personal stories about considering sti testing
these stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. they may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
i just broke up with my partner. i thought we were in a monogamous relationship. but then i found out he was having sex with other people while we were together. i have an appointment to get tested right away. i don't want to risk giving an infection to someone else.
jason, age 20
i'm a newlywed and just found out i'm pregnant! my doctor says i'll need to have an sti test, and i think that's crazy because i know my husband is faithful to me. but my doctor recommends that pregnant people be tested, so i'm going to do it. i want to make sure that i have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
serena, age 23
i had a test several months ago, and it was negative. i haven't had symptoms of any stis since. i'm not in a relationship, and i haven't had sex with anyone since the test, so i don't think a test is necessary for me now.
heather, age 30
i don't plan to have a test now. my doctor says i'm at pretty low risk since i haven't had sex with anyone since my wife and i split up a few years ago. but if i meet someone, i may do it and ask her to do the same. i think it would be a pretty hard conversation to have, though.
bob, age 45
what matters most to you?
your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
where are you leaning now?
now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. show which way you are leaning right now.
what else do you need to make your decision?
check the facts
decide what's next
certainty
3. use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.
your summary
here's a record of your answers. you can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
your decision
next steps
which way you're leaning
how sure you are
your comments
your knowledge of the facts
key concepts that you understood
key concepts that may need review
getting ready to act
patient choices
credits and references
credits
| author | healthwise staff |
|---|---|
| clinical review board | clinical review board all healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals. |
references
citations
- moore a, et al. (2021). recommendation on screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea in primary care for individuals not known to be at high risk. cmaj, 193: e549–e559. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.201967. accessed april 19, 2021.
- public health agency of canada. (2020). chlamydia and lgv: key information and resources. government of canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/sexual-health-sexually-transmitted-infections/canadian-guidelines/chlamydia-lgv.html. accessed april 16, 2021.
- public health agency of canada. (2020). syphilis: key information and resources. government of canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/sexual-health-sexually-transmitted-infections/canadian-guidelines/syphilis.html. accessed april 19, 2021.
you may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
sti testing: should i get tested for a sexually transmitted infection?
here's a record of your answers. you can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
- get the facts
- compare your options
- what matters most to you?
- where are you leaning now?
- what else do you need to make your decision?
1. get the facts
your options
- have a blood or urine test or some other test to screen for sexually transmitted infections.
- don't have the test.
this choice isn't for you if you believe you've been exposed to an sti or you have symptoms of an sti. you need to have a test as soon as possible.
this topic doesn't cover decisions about testing for hiv or testing for hepatitis b and c. for more information, see the topics hiv testing: should i get tested for human immunodeficiency virus? and hepatitis b and c: should i be tested?
key points to remember
- many health professionals recommend having a routine screening test for certain stis if you have a high risk for infection. for example, you're at high risk if you're younger than 25 and sexually active, or if you've had more than one partner in the past year. some sti tests are recommended for people who are pregnant whether or not they have a high risk for infection.
- some stis don't cause symptoms, or they can cause symptoms that go away. so unless you have a test, you may not know that you have an sti.
- sti testing can help find an infection early. if you know that you have an infection, you can get treatment and prevent spreading the infection to others.
- left untreated, some stis can lead to serious problems. for example, if a pregnant person has an sti when during birth, the newborn may have the disease.
- if your test shows that you have an sti, your sex partner(s) will need to know so they can be tested.
- some stis can be cured with treatment. others can't be cured, but treatment can help with symptoms.
- you may not need to be tested if you aren't sexually active, you have a very low risk for infection, or you and your doctor have already discussed whether you need a test.
faqs
what is an sti?
sexually transmitted infections are diseases spread by sexual contact. some of the most common stis are:
- chlamydia.
- genital herpes.
- genital warts or human papillomavirus (hpv).
- gonorrhea.
- hepatitis b.
- human immunodeficiency virus (hiv), which causes aids.
- syphilis.
- trichomoniasis.
left untreated, some stis can lead to serious problems. for example:
- certain high-risk types of hpv can cause cervical cancer, penile cancer, and rectal and oral cancer.
- some stis can be passed from a pregnant person to the newborn, which can cause serious problems for the baby.
- chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (pid). pid can lead to serious problems, including not being able to have a baby (infertility).
- syphilis can cause problems with pregnancy, nerve and heart problems, and death.
- gonorrhea can increase the risk of bladder cancer in men.
how are stis treated?
treatment is available for all sexually transmitted infections (stis) to relieve symptoms, even if a cure isn't possible.
some of the most common stis—chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis—are caused by bacteria and are treated and cured with antibiotics.
stis caused by viruses, such as genital herpes and genital warts, aren't cured with antibiotics. but treatments are available to relieve symptoms.
what sti tests do experts recommend be done routinely?
having a routine sti test means getting tested even though you don't have symptoms of an infection. experts say that certain groups should be routinely tested for certain stis. some expert opinions may vary, and your doctor may recommend testing based on your personal history.
what increases your risk of a sexually transmitted infection (sti)?
- have unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex (not using condoms or not using them correctly).
- are a man (or were assigned male at birth) who has sex with other men (or people assigned male at birth).
- have a new sex partner or more than one sex partner.
- have a high-risk sex partner. high-risk partners include people who have more than one sex partner, people who have an sti, and people whose other partners have an sti.
- are younger than age 25.
- have a current sti or a history of stis.
- have sex while using alcohol or drugs.
- trade sex for drugs or money.
chlamydia
the public health agency of canada (phac) recommends a chlamydia test for people who areyounger than 25, pregnant, or at risk for another sti or blood-borne infection.2
gonorrhea
if you are younger than 30, your doctor may recommend a gonorrhea test during routine checkups.1
syphilis
the phac recommends a syphilis test for all pregnant .3
what are the tests for stis?
tests for stis are fairly simple. if you have a test for chlamydia or gonorrhea, a nurse or doctor will test for bacteria that cause the infections. you may have a urine test, or the doctor may take a sample of body fluid from the throat, inside the tip of the penis, or inside the rectum or vagina. a gonorrhea culture test also may be done to see if the bacteria are resistant to antibiotics.
a syphilis test looks for antibodies to the bacteria that cause syphilis. your doctor may do a blood test or may test body fluid or tissue. a follow-up test may be done to confirm the infection.
what are the benefits of getting tested?
getting tested can help find an infection early or when you have no symptoms. this is important so that:
- you can get treatment and avoid long-term problems, such as not being able to have a baby (infertility).
- if you know that you have an sti, you can get treatment and avoid spreading the infection to others.
- if you know that you have an sti, you can tell your sex partner(s) so they can be treated and can avoid spreading the infection.
- if you're pregnant, an sti test can find an infection so you don't spread the infection to your newborn.
what are the risks of getting tested?
- if your test shows that you have an sti, your sex partner(s) will need to know and get tested, which may affect your relationship.
- if you have an sti, your doctor may be required by law to report it to your local health unit. you may be asked for names and addresses of your sex partners.
- you could have a false-positive test result, which shows that you have the disease when you actually don't. this could cause you unneeded worry and treatment.
- for syphilis, you could have a false-negative result, which shows that you don't have the disease when you actually do. (sometimes the test can't find the antibodies yet.) so you might infect others because you don't think you have the disease.
why might your doctor recommend that you get tested?
your doctor may want you to be tested if:
- you have a high risk for getting an sti.
- you are pregnant.
2. compare your options
| get tested for stis | don't get tested for stis | |
|---|---|---|
| what is usually involved? |
|
|
| what are the benefits? |
|
|
| what are the risks and side effects? |
|
|
personal stories
personal stories about considering sti testing
these stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. they may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"i just broke up with my partner. i thought we were in a monogamous relationship. but then i found out he was having sex with other people while we were together. i have an appointment to get tested right away. i don't want to risk giving an infection to someone else."
— jason, age 20
"i'm a newlywed and just found out i'm pregnant! my doctor says i'll need to have an sti test, and i think that's crazy because i know my husband is faithful to me. but my doctor recommends that pregnant people be tested, so i'm going to do it. i want to make sure that i have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby."
— serena, age 23
"i had a test several months ago, and it was negative. i haven't had symptoms of any stis since. i'm not in a relationship, and i haven't had sex with anyone since the test, so i don't think a test is necessary for me now."
— heather, age 30
"i don't plan to have a test now. my doctor says i'm at pretty low risk since i haven't had sex with anyone since my wife and i split up a few years ago. but if i meet someone, i may do it and ask her to do the same. i think it would be a pretty hard conversation to have, though."
— bob, age 45
3. what matters most to you?
your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
4. where are you leaning now?
now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. show which way you are leaning right now.
5. what else do you need to make your decision?
check the facts
1. if i don't have any symptoms of an sti, i don't need a test.
- true
- false
- i'm not sure
that's right. some stis don't cause symptoms. if you have an increased risk of stis, your doctor may recommend routine testing.
2. if i don't know if i have an infection, i could spread it to others and develop serious problems if i don't get treatment.
- true
- false
- i'm not sure
yes, that's right. untreated stis can lead to serious problems, including pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. a pregnant person also can pass the infection to the newborn.
3. if i'm younger than 25, i need an sti test, because everyone that age has a high risk for getting an sti.
- true
- false
- i'm not sure
yes, you're right. people younger than 25 have a higher risk of getting an sti if they are sexually active. if you've never had sex or have discussed your risk with your doctor, you may not need a test.
decide what's next
1. do you understand the options available to you?
2. are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
certainty
2. check what you need to do before you make this decision.
- i'm ready to take action.
- i want to discuss the options with others.
- i want to learn more about my options.
3. use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.
credits
| by | healthwise staff |
|---|---|
| clinical review board | clinical review board all healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals. |
references
citations
- moore a, et al. (2021). recommendation on screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea in primary care for individuals not known to be at high risk. cmaj, 193: e549–e559. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.201967. accessed april 19, 2021.
- public health agency of canada. (2020). chlamydia and lgv: key information and resources. government of canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/sexual-health-sexually-transmitted-infections/canadian-guidelines/chlamydia-lgv.html. accessed april 16, 2021.
- public health agency of canada. (2020). syphilis: key information and resources. government of canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/sexual-health-sexually-transmitted-infections/canadian-guidelines/syphilis.html. accessed april 19, 2021.
note: the "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
current as of: november 27, 2023
author: healthwise staff
clinical review board
all healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
