STD Testing Procedure

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) can be diagnosed in a variety of ways. While some STDs can be diagnosed even by visual observation. For this knowing various signs of STDs is helpful, at the same time there are several others that need medical examination like blood tests, swabs, urine samples etc.

Procedure for STD Testing

STD testing procedure is almost the same for men and women except for a few fundamental differences which will come to know as we go through the article. Some procedures that are common for STD testing in both men and women are blood testing, tissue sampling, samples of genital discharge and other physical examination(s).

Screening Men for STDs
For men, frequent screening for STDs is essential to eliminate any risk of STDs. This becomes more important if a man is sexually active with multiple partners. Even safe sexual practices like using condoms don't reduce the risk of STDs totally. For men, testing is needed when the initial signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted disease began to appear. Sores, lesions, itchy skin on the penis and around genital areas, testicles, anus and even on thighs are some of the most common STD symptoms in men. However, not all men may experience similar problems. Some may complain of painful urination or irritation during urination. For men, the procedure to get tested must be following:

• Talk to the physician about your problem so that he can examine you to know about the pathogen that you may have contracted. This is very important because only then you'll be able to know what kind of the STD infection is affecting you. This will help your doctor to arrive at a treatment method to treat you.
• Urine tests are most common for first STD tests. For this test, your urine sample will be tested for specific type of STD. Till date, only chlamydia and gonorrhea are detected through urine tests.
• A swab taken from inside part of penis or an open sore is another effective STD testing method. Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis infections are detected through this method.
• Blood Tests have been very effective in testing for genital herpes, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and syphilis.
• Generally, biopsy is used for testing genital wart, wherein, a part of affected skin is removed and tested. In men, this procedure is used to detect HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

Examining Women for STDs
As mentioned earlier, most of the testing methods are same for both genders. Still, in women, pelvic examination is a peculiar STD test performed only for them. Based on the STD symptoms, testing methods may vary. Generally, following method is used to determine presence of STDs in women:

• Samples of discharge from affected area and cotton swabs are collected. Swabbing is effective for many STDs like bacterial vaginosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. These two STDs are specific to women. Other STD infections where swabbing can give good results are chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV, syphilis, scabies and trichomoniasis.
• Blood tests are similar for women as in case of men. HIV/AIDS, genital herpes etc., all are some STDs where blood tests are very effective.
• Pelvic exam is a method, as mentioned above, for detecting STD infection in women. In this STD testing procedure, the medical professional examines the vagina and takes swabs etc. to find the infection.

The testing procedure for STD generally takes three to four days to show the results. In case, you're not aware of where to get tested for STDs, then there are various private and public organizations known for providing tests for STDs. After you've gone for STD testing in a pathology or a doctor's clinic, you'll be able to get the results within three to four days. Any medical expert conducts only some specific type of STD tests. Hence, it is advisable to properly discuss various testing procedures available at the clinic or pathology lab you're visiting. Proper diagnosis forms the first step towards treating STDs. Among various STDs in the list of STDs, almost all need adequate diagnostic measures.