have you been tested?
let's talk about STIs
I didn’t get tested the first time I had sex. In fact, it didn’t even cross my mind that I should. I was so caught up in the moment, so much in lust with my crush (who would later become my boyfriend) that the only thing I was considering sticking in me was, well, him.
Yes, we used a condom. But, thinking back, that was used more for birth control purposes than any fear of contracting a disease. The possibility of having any STI simply didn’t cross my mind.
Back then, I didn’t even have the language to ask, “Hey, do you think we should get tested before we exchange bodily fluids for the first time?” or “Hey, have you been tested? When was the last time you were tested?”
This was back in the early aughts, and, unfortunately, not much has changed. In fact, less than 20% of sexually active people are getting STI tested today.
With new data from the WHO indicating that STIs are increasing in many regions globally, including more than 2.5 million cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia being reported in the United States in 2022, it’s clear we need to do better when it comes to our sexual health and safety.
That’s where National Get Tested Day comes in.
The American Sexual Health Association is launching its inaugural National Get Tested Day on September 30 to advance the conversation around sexual health.
Because here’s the thing — it doesn’t matter how old you are, STIs are still a legitimate concern and issue if you’re sexually active and being intimate with a new partner(s).
As an advocate for sexual health and wellness, and a single woman, I wanted to open up the conversation about STIs and ask the big questions that I think everyone wants to know, but is probably too scared to ask! I know I was!
Below, my Q&A with Gabe Gaviola, MD, MPH, Senior Medical Director at Everlywell, a leader in at-home STI testing and treatment, and Martha Kempner, Sexual Health Expert at ASHA.
Basically, think of it as your cheat sheet for that totally-doesn't-need-be-weird chat with your current sexual partner! Enjoy!
What is an STI? Is there a difference between STI and STD?
An STI is a sexually transmitted infection. We used to refer to them as STDs or sexually transmitted diseases. The terms STI and STD are commonly used interchangeably, but there is a difference between the two. There’s been a shift away from using the term “STD” in recent years because the concept of a “disease” suggests a medical problem with symptoms. However, many people who have an STI will have no symptoms, making testing even more important. It’s more accurate to describe an STI as an infection that may or may not cause a disease. Also, the term STI highlights the importance of regular testing and prevention, even if someone feels fine. This helps raise awareness that many infections can be treated or managed before they develop into diseases.
What are examples of STIs?
Chlamydia is a common and curable infection caused by the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis. It is the most common reportable STI in the U.S. In 2022, there were about 1.6 million cases reported. Gonorrhea (also known as “the clap”) is also a common STI. Many men infected with gonorrhea have symptoms, while many women do not. Other examples of STIs are herpes, syphilis, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
How common is it to have an STI? Are there some that are more common than others, and why is that?
STIs are very common. It’s estimated that 1 in 2 people will get an STI at some point in their life. Some STIs are more common because they are easily transmissible from person to person. Take HPV for example—it is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact even through unbroken skin and does not require sexual fluid to be exchanged. Other STIs are not as common because they aren’t transmitted as easily, such as HIV, which requires direct contact between broken skin or mucous membranes and bodily fluids like blood or semen.
How often should someone get tested for STIs?
Recommendations on how often to get tested for STIs vary depending on your age, biological sex, the biological sex of your partners, and the type of sex you’re having. You should talk to your healthcare provider about what tests you should get, but at the very minimum, if you are sexually active you should be getting tested. In general, it’s a good idea to get tested when you have a new sexual partner, if you have multiple partners, if a partner was diagnosed with an STI, or if you have any symptoms.
It’s important to remember that many STIs don’t present any symptoms, so getting tested is the only way to know for sure if you have one. If left undetected and untreated, STIs can cause serious long-term health issues. With the launch of National Get Tested Day on September 30, our goal is to educate about the importance of STI testing and break down barriers to accessing this essential healthcare.
I imagine most people would consider themselves “safe” against STIs in a monogamous relationship but is that always the case?
If you are in a truly mutual monogamous relationship and you’ve both been tested for STIs, the chances of getting a new STI should be low. That said, some STIs, like herpes, are hard to test for if you don’t have symptoms and others are not always part of STI screening. It is possible for a monogamous partner to develop symptoms of an STI they got before the relationship began and for them to transmit it to their partner without even knowing it. That’s why regular STI testing is still important in a monogamous relationship.
Similarly, I think there’s a misconception that STIs are only common among young people and more prevalent in highly marginalized communities. Is this true?
It is true that STIs are most common in young people and more common in some communities, especially those that have less access to health care. That said, anyone can get an STI at any point in their life. In fact, recent data shows that STI rates continue to rise in people ages 55 and older. Rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis have doubled in people 55+ over the last 10 years.
Yet, the common misconception that STIs only impact young people is leading to low testing rates. Less than 20% of sexually active people are getting tested for STIs. We’ve also seen this trend in Everlywell at-home STI test takers. Only about 10% of our 80,000+ Everlywell STI test takers are over 50. We want to change this by launching National Get Tested Day, raising awareness about the importance of getting tested if you’re sexually active at any age.
So if you’re 40, 50, 60+ years old, and sexually active and single, you should get tested, correct?
Absolutely. Anyone that has new partners or multiple partners should get tested regardless of their age.
Why are STIs stigmatized?
Many people were raised with the idea that sex—especially sex outside of a traditional marriage relationship—is shameful, and worse that, STIs are the punishment for that shame. We may talk about sex a little more and see it more in movies and on television than we used to, but these messages are still around. We need to move past them because stigma can keep some people from getting the testing and treatment they need.
That’s one of the main reasons we’re launching National Get Tested Day on September 30 to advance the conversation around sexual health. We are also increasing access to STI testing by giving away 250 free Everlywell at-home Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Tests.
If you’ve tested positive for an STI, what are some tips on how to communicate that news with your sexual partners?
Establish honesty early on by having important conversations about your sexual health, before engaging in a sexual relationship. You can even get tested together with easy at-home STI testing options.
Simple and honest communication tends to be the best way to communicate about most things in a relationship, and STIs are no different. The most important thing is that you tell them as soon as you find out that you have an STI, so that they can find the testing and treatment they need.
If you’re living with an STI, what are some of the mental and emotional repercussions experienced? What’s your advice to best cope? How can someone receive the help they need?
People often feel a lot of shame when they’ve been diagnosed with an STI. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. 1 in 2 people will get an STI at some point in their life. Getting an STI is not a negative reflection on your character or behavior, it’s a fact of life. It can help to talk to other people who have gone through the same experience. Ask your healthcare provider if they know of support groups in the area or look at online support groups like Something Positive for Positive People.
If you have an STI does that mean you can’t ever have sex again?
Of course not. Many people have happy and healthy sex lives after an STI diagnosis. Bacterial STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea can be cured with antibiotics. Once all partners have taken the full course of their medication and allowed it time to work, they can safely resume sexual activities. People living with other STIs, like herpes, that may recur periodically, should talk to their health care providers about how to best keep their partners safe, but avoiding all sexual contact does not need to be the answer.
Lastly, how can people prevent STIs?
Condoms. We don’t talk about condoms as much as we used to, but they are still the best protection against STIs for most people. Condoms are easy to get, inexpensive, and—as an added benefit to people having penis-in-vagina sex—also prevent pregnancy. It’s also important to stay up-to-date on your STI testing and have honest conversations about STI testing before engaging in a new sexual relationship. This helps establish trust early on and ensures your partners are taking their sexual health as seriously as you are.
Remember: asking about STIs and getting tested can be as easy as asking your partner what they like to eat for breakfast! Lead with honesty and curiosity, and never do it in the heat of the moment! Because by then, it’ll be too late. You’ll just ending up having sex. Be direct and let the moment become a bonding experience for you. For the love of your health, just do it.
Thanks for being here!
Love, Brie xo
