Regular STD testing helps you stay on top of your sexual health, learn how to prevent diseases, and make healthy decisions. Getting tested isn’t just smart; it’s a proactive way to consider your well-being and future.
Ava Health offers no-cost, limited STD testing and treatment for those assigned and are able to provide a vaginal self-swab.
Wondering why no-cost STD testing matters?
1. Save Money and Avoid Out-of-Pocket Costs
Out-of-pocket expenses for STD testing can feel burdensome. An STD test performed at a doctor’s office can cost $50 to $200, and without insurance, you could pay even more.
No-cost STD testing ensures you have access to the results you need without financial worry.
2. Prevent Complications and Long-Term Impacts
Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause STDs, and these diseases don’t always cause symptoms. While some STDs result in symptoms like unusual vaginal bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse, and fever, the most common STDs in females, chlamydia and gonorrhea others may have no symptoms at all.
Regular STD testing is critical to preventing complications that can have serious impacts on your health. Complications can include:
- Eye inflammation
- Infertility
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Pelvic pain
- Arthritis
- Pregnancy complications
- Certain cancers
- Heart disease
You owe it to yourself to get tested and learn whether treatment is needed.
3. Learn Prevention Techniques and Improve Your Sexual Health
STD testing is an excellent opportunity to learn about risk factors and identify ways to keep yourself safe.
Anyone who is sexually active can get an STD, though they can also spread through blood transfusions, shared needles, or to infants during pregnancy or childbirth.
However, additional risk factors associated with contracting an STD include:
- Having unprotected sexual intercourse
- Having multiple partners
- Having a history of STDs
- Substance misuse or using recreational drugs
- Being forced to engage in sexual activity (i.e., assault)
- Being young (higher rates of STDs are reported among people aged 15-24)
Knowing these risk factors is essential to assessing your choices and making smart decisions about sexual activity. Additionally, STD testing allows for more conversations to be had about prevention strategies, which include:
- Abstaining from sexual activity (this is the best way to prevent STDs)
- Having one uninfected partner
- Having open and honest conversations with your partner about sexual activity and STDs
- Getting vaccinated against STDs like HPV, hepatitis A and hepatitis B
- Avoiding illegal drug and excessive alcohol use
Please know that having these conversations and getting tested are nothing to be ashamed of—they are intelligent choices that help protect you and others. Ava Health is here to answer your questions and offer no-cost STD services.
Receive No-Cost STD Testing Today
We offer confidential, risk-factor-based STD testing for most diseases and treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea. These services are provided to patients assigned female at birth and are able to provide a vaginal self-swab.
We’re here to equip and empower you with information so you can make informed choices about your sexual health.
Request an appointment today to get started.