Here are 4 reasons you need to have a venereal disease test

HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis, or chlamydia may be familiar to you. These are all diseases that can be transmitted through risky sexual activity. If you or someone closest to you has recently engaged in risky sex, you will need to undergo a venereal disease test to detect how much you are at risk for the above diseases. However, that's not all the reason you take a venereal disease test. Want to know anything? Come on, consider the following reasons.

The reason you need to be tested for venereal disease

Like most diseases, sexually transmitted diseases can cause various symptoms that interfere with daily life. Whether it's genital itching, pain during sex or urination, or a weakened immune system.

If diagnosed and treated late, there is a big risk of venereal disease being transmitted to others or even causing complications in oneself, leading to death.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States (CDC) listed several reasons that could encourage you to undergo sexually transmitted disease detection tests. Among them:

1. Active sexual intercourse

Those of you who are sexually active are more likely to contract venereal diseases. Having unprotected intercourse such as a condom can transmit various viruses that cause disease.

Tests for venereal disease that are highly recommended for people who are sexually active include chlamydia and gonorrhea tests once per year.

The reason why this venereal disease test needs to be done regularly is to detect possible infection in people who are not experiencing symptoms.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea tests are usually done through a urine test or swab that is inserted into a woman's penis or cervix.

2. Having sex with other men

Men who have sex with men are at high risk of contracting venereal diseases. Especially if you don't use safety equipment, such as condoms.

It is highly recommended that gay couples undergo testing for venereal disease, such as testing for chlamydia, HIV, syphilis, and chlamydia, more often than heterosexual couples; that is, once every 3 or 6 months.

The timing of this test needs to be consulted with your doctor first.

3. Female

Certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer and genital warts.

The reason this HPV test needs to be done by women is because the virus can cause cervical cancer. HPV testing is very important especially because many people who are sexually active are infected but have no symptoms.

In women, the HPV test will involve a pap smear test (checking for abnormal cells) which needs to be done regularly every 3 years.

In addition to the HPV test, tests for venereal disease need to be done by women testing for HIV and chlamydia.

4. Are planning a pregnancy

Another reason to do a venereal disease test is pregnancy. This really needs to be done, especially in women who are at risk of being infected with venereal diseases.

Tests that need to be done early in pregnancy include tests for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. These tests may need to be repeated as needed to protect the health of the mother and baby. The reason is, some diseases that are transmitted through sex can be transmitted to the fetus.

In order to avoid risks, also adopt a healthy lifestyle

To prevent sexually transmitted diseases, you need to adopt a healthy sex life, such as using condoms, maintaining genital hygiene and sex toys, and not changing sex partners.

In addition to undergoing tests, preventive measures will be more complete if you get a complete venereal disease vaccine.