STD Testing Specialist

Prescott Women's Clinic

OBGYNs located in Prescott, AZ & Prescott Valley, AZ

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) often have no signs or symptoms, or mild symptoms that are easy to overlook. STD testing at Prescott Women's Clinic in Prescott and Prescott Valley, Arizona, catches STDs early, before complications occur. Left untreated, STDs can cause lasting health problems, but Prescott Women’s Clinic has a caring staff to help provide the best treatment plan for you. Call the office or schedule a consultation online.

STD Testing Q & A

What are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?

STDs are preventable infections spread by sexual contact. They’re second only to the cold and flu as the most common contagious infections in this country, as millions of people contract STDs every year.

STDs can cause serious health problems, even death. Certain STDs, such as syphilis, can affect your fertility. Syphilis can increase your risk of miscarriage or spread to your growing baby. In some cases, syphilis may lead to stillbirths and newborn deaths.

Many STDs are treatable, while others can be managed with medications. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common STD that’s preventable with vaccination.

What are the types of STDs?

STDs come in many different forms, and some are more prevalent than others. Here are the most common ones:

Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Genital herpes
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
Syphilis
Trichomoniasis

Hepatitis B also can be spread during sex.

Am I at risk of getting an STD?

STDs occur more frequently in teens and younger adults. Individuals aged 15-24 account for half of all new STD infections annually.

Other factors may increase your risk of getting an STD, such as having sex with someone who has an STD or with a partner who has more than one sexual partner.

Having a history of STDs also may increase your chances of contracting another STD. In addition, using IV drugs or being with a partner who uses IV drugs may raise your risk.

What is STD testing?

Routine STD testing is an important step to safeguarding your health. Prescott Women's Clinic offers STD testing right in the office. Testing requires either giving a blood or urine sample or having a swab taken from your mouth, throat, vagina, or rectum. Sometimes you'll have multiple tests.

Here are examples of what to expect when being tested for the following STDs:

Chlamydia: Genital swab or urine sample
Syphilis: Blood test or swab from a sore
Gonorrhea: Genital swab or urine sample
HIV: Mouth swab or blood test
Genital herpes: Blood test (with no symptoms)

If you have symptoms of genital herpes, such as a sore, your Prescott Women's Clinic provider takes a swab of the sore.

Many STDs are treatable, typically with a course of antibiotics.

With convenient on-site STD testing, Prescott Women's Clinic helps to safeguard your health and give you peace of mind. Call the office today or schedule a consultation online if it’s been a while since you’ve had an STD test.