Sexual Health and Getting Tested

Sexual health is of utmost importance. Being a (fairly) responsible adult, I like to stay on top of getting tested as often as needed. While I haven’t had partnered sex in a while, I still like the power of knowing my status and being as updated as possible. Staying on top of testing allows me to feel comfortable when and if I do have a future partner. It’s all a part of (informed) consent and communication. Since I have been in a sort of hiatus period for some time, this was kind of the perfect time to get tested! I was so intrigued when the folks at STDCheck.com contacted me wanting to partner up. Full disclosure, they offered me a free 10-Test Panel as well as compensation for writing up a post. All the opinions here are my own.

I am mostly going to be using the acronym “STIs” rather than “STDs.” In common parlance, these are interchangeable but there is a difference. Briefly, Sexually Transmitted Infections may develop into a disease without intervention and could then, therefore, be considered Sexually Transmitted Diseases. There’s a quick explanation in this STDCheck blog.

Placing the Order (And a Small Overview of What’s Available)

While I did not place the order myself, the person I was in contact with for this partnership had me pick a lab location so the order could be placed. I looked around the site to learn more about placing an order and there appears to be many payment options including PayPal, cryptocurrency, and a sort of “layaway” option. (Payment would have to be completed before the test results would be released.) You can purchase a 10-Test panel or you can select specific tests for individual STIs. You’re also able to add an HIV RNA Early Detection test for an additional fee.

Choosing a location close to me was easy. I live in Los Angeles and there were plenty of labs in the area. I opted for one within a couple miles of me for my test. I printed out the testing order the night before just as a backup to bring in with me and about an hour before I went over, I clicked the option to fax over the order to the lab as well. Then I drove over to the lab. Honestly, the most challenging part of this entire process was attempting to find a parking space when I arrived at the lab.

Checking in and My Lab Experience

Getting checked in was a breeze. I was asked to check in on a small touch pad that asked me a series of questions. I let the tech know that I had sent in a fax with my info, which she found. Then, I was given a paper cup with my name on it and told to go pee in the cup and then I would have blood drawn.

I’m a bit of a nerd for getting my blood drawn in a medical setting, the technology has changed so much over the years, so I always watch and marvel at it. Four vials of blood were taken from me. I had to verify my name and the spelling on a sheet of stickers. Finally I was wrapped in bright yellow athletic tape to secure the gauze over the crook of my elbow and that was that.

Getting My Results

It took about two days, maybe a little less, for me to see the results in my account on STDCheck.com. Before the results were visible there is a screen explaining that my package didn’t come with a physician consultation but that I could purchase that for a small fee. They also offered me a coupon for my next testing as well as for their sister-site which tests for other things.

The results sheet is pretty straightforward. They show what the test was for in one column followed by the result and how it’s flagged (Normal/Non-Reactive/Negative/Positive). You can take a look at my results here. (It’s a screenshot; I’ve blocked out any names and addresses of locations, labs, and physician.)

One (small) downside of STDCheck that’s struck me is the gendered language: men/women. It doesn’t surprise me, but I, and many other people would certainly appreciate more inclusive language (e.g., people with penises or people with vulvas, etc.).

Sexual Health is Important!

STIs have been on the rise. According to the CDC, since 2013 there has been a 22% increase in chlamydia, a 67% increase in gonorrhea, and a 76% increase in syphilis. Knowing your status regardless of who you have sex with,  how you identify, or what bits you have is empowering and essential. Even if you are in a monogamous relationship, getting tested can provide a peace of mind.

Some STIs don’t have any symptoms so we may not notice much of a difference physically via pain or discharge. Still, they might eventually lead to significant repercussions, illness, reproductive health issues, etc. without intervention and possible treatment.

Moving away from negative framing takes a cultural shift which can be glacially slow. I know I’m in a bit of a bubble, but it’s quite heartening to see and hear less-stigmatizing, more normalizing around STIs/STDs. They aren’t the end of the world. Moving away from phrases like “I’m clean” (the opposite implies dirtiness and is placing a value judgement on people who aren’t “clean”) and instead saying “I’m clear” or better yet using words like “negative” and “positive” would be more accurate.

The idea that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are these gross, life-altering conditions is also deeply stigmatizing, not to mention largely inaccurate. In reality, many STDs can be cured with a round of antibiotics, while others can be managed with medication. And you may never even know you have an STD, either because the symptoms are so subtle or because there are no symptoms at all. — 5 STDs You Can Have Without Knowing It, Amy Marturana, C.P.T., Self.com, 12/28/18

In addition to barrier protection (gloves, internal and external condoms, dental dams), birth control, and PrEP and PEP, getting tested regularly can help to keep you healthy.

Letting partners know of your status – going through a program like STDCheck allows you to share the physical results with them which can be helpful. Asking other people what their status is before hooking up as a matter of course and from a judgement-free space can be something that you incorporate in the getting to know each other, boundaries, limits, turn ons, and barrier methods conversation that we have before getting it on.

The more we normalize safer sex, getting tested regularly, and talk about it all, the less stigma there will be!