It’s all too common for people to put off routine medical care when they don’t have signs of a problem. After all, if it’s not broken, why fix it?
However, preventive medicine appointments are vital in detecting disease as early as possible and providing immunizations to keep you healthy. On top of that, it’s possible to have a health issue without knowing it, especially those that get transmitted through sexual contact.
Our team at Scottsdale Private Physicians, LLC, offers preventive medicine services, including men’s health and women’s health exams and STD/SDI screenings. Even if you feel like you’re in good health and don’t require any treatment, here’s why you should get regular testing.
For starters, it’s important to note that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may carry a lot of stigma, but they’re also quite common.
As the name implies, these infections get spread through sexual encounters, including oral, anal, and vaginal sex and skin-to-skin contact. And because you can have a sexually transmitted disease without knowing it, you can easily pass it to others — including babies during pregnancy.
The most common sexually transmitted infections include:
Unfortunately, many people delay seeking care or treatment for these diseases, increasing their chances of severe complications and spreading the infection to others.
But there’s good news. Whether you have symptoms or a risk of exposure, most sexually transmitted diseases have treatment options, and several can be cured. Also, they’re easier to treat in the earliest stages.
If you’re sexually active, it’s time to think about a preventive testing strategy to protect your reproductive health. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers specific testing guidelines based on your age, gender, and potential risk of exposure.
According to expert recommendations, the most obvious reasons for having a regular screening include:
However, determining your screening needs can go beyond these parameters, especially because sexually transmitted infections can affect anyone — even those who don’t appear to be high risk.
Because some STIs spread through skin-to-skin contact, like herpes, HPV, and syphilis, you can get an infection even if you never have intercourse. Similarly, you can be in a relationship that isn’t mutually monogamous, which puts you at risk of exposure.
And remember, many STD/STIs don’t have symptoms — up to 70% of females with chlamydia don’t experience them, for example — which can put your reproductive health at risk, as well as the health of your sexual partners.
At the end of the day, the safest course of action is to undergo regular testing for sexually transmitted diseases if you engage in sexual activity. With our personalized approach to medical care, the team at Scottsdale Private Physicians, LLC, can help determine when these screenings are right for you.
Have you had STD testing lately? Contact either office in Scottsdale, Arizona, to learn more about our preventive medicine services. Call or book a visit online today.
