STI testing for females

After reading the article that someone posted on chlamydia and how it ruined one woman's chances of having children etc, I've become a bit paranoid and decided I want an STI check up. Im 18 and have only ever slept with 1 person (we're not together now but once I slept with him without a condom and I'm worried). As people have pointed out, it only takes one encounter to become infected.
My question is, has anyone ever been tested before and what happens? I want to put my mind at rest but at the same time, I'm really nervous as it seems really invasive and embarrassing. Is it as bad as it seems?

Reply 1

username47781

20

Well because the problem has become so widespread now Boots are introducing home testing kits. Other than that i think you have to visit or GP or local hospital to get tested.

Reply 2

Fleece

15

No it's not that bad.

Some will involve wee, some will involve them putting a conical device into your vagina and cranking it open a bit and then taking swabs.

Reply 3

sunscreen

7

Fleece

No it's not that bad.

Some will involve wee, some will involve them putting a conical device into your vagina and cranking it open a bit and then taking swabs.

yuck! sometimes i wish i wasnt a girl

Reply 4

Apricot Fairy

16

It's uncomfortable and it's embarrassing, but worth it for the peace of mind. Just go in, keep reminding yourself that they do this every day, and it's nothing they haven't seen before, and grin and bear it. You'll be out in ten minutes.

Reply 5

norelle

5

When I got tested it was all very clinical, no embarrassment at all - the vibe I got from the doctor was sort of "I've seen thousands of vaginas in my time and yours is nothing out of the ordinary". When testing for chlamydia they have you lie back and they insert a speculum to open you up, so to speak, then they take a swab from the inside walls. It's not painful, just a bit uncomfortable, and the peace of mind you get afterwards from knowing you've taken action rather than sitting and worrying, and that you're either clear or on your way to it, is amazing.

Reply 6

sunscreen

7

uh im gonna have to stop reading this i feel sick lol "speculum" is making me gag

Reply 7

username47781

20

I do apologise for my thread earlier by the way i didn't intend to cause panick.

Reply 8

Anonymous #2

it's fine. i went to my doctor a couple of days ago with what i thought was a problem with the pill and she decided to test me for chlamydia to be on the safe side. it's a bit uncomfy but it only takes about two minutes, and it's really not as embarrassing as it sounds. however, a word of advice: i happened to be wearing a longish skirt for my doctor's appointment and, when she decided that it was funfun internal examination time, i realised that it had been a good garment choice - makes the whole thing a lot less awkward.

Reply 9

bunnycatkid

if its just a chlamydia test it only needs to be a urine test, not sure why the above poster had an internal but I suppose doctors differ. If you go to a brook clinic they only test for chlamydia with urine tests, and if you do have it they will then do an internal to check for other things, as most other stis have symptoms. Worth getting checked even if it is an internal exam, just for peace of mind.
Oh my god norelle, I am such an idiot, I read "the vibe I got from my doctor" and.. well, one track mind shall we say!

Reply 10

puppy

Personally I'm so scared of needles that by the time the nurse had finished taking my blood test amidst my sobs I was more than happy to have them stick weird things in me and swab my cervix.

In all seriousness, it may be a little embarassing for some (I never felt this way because I'm not that bothered about my 'downstairs'- I pretty much just think that they all look fairly similar so I'm unlikely to be judged on it!) but it's the nurses job to do that, they don't care, you want peace of mind, grit your teeth and bear it. It doesn't hurt or anything so certainly no need to have any worries about that.

Reply 11

Anonymous #1

OP

Cant you ask them not to bother with a blood test? I'm petrified of needles too :redface:

Reply 12

latot

sunscreen

yuck! sometimes i wish i wasnt a girl

HA!!!

If you think THAT'S bad then you'd be physically sick to hear what the hell we guys have to go through! It's almost enough to put a guy off sex for good!

Reply 13

Anonymous #3

Anonymous

Cant you ask them not to bother with a blood test? I'm petrified of needles too :redface:

The blood test is optional -- it's only to test for HIV and hepatitis, both of which are very rare.

latot

If you think THAT'S bad then you'd be physically sick to hear what the hell we guys have to go through! It's almost enough to put a guy off sex for good!

I wouldn't say the bloke's version (cotton bud up the urethra and a feel of the testicles) is any worse, probably equally bad though.

Reply 14

puppy

Anonymous

The blood test is optional -- it's only to test for HIV and hepatitis, both of which are very rare.

I wouldn't say the bloke's version (cotton bud up the urethra and a feel of the testicles) is any worse, probably equally bad though.

Yeah it's optional and they told me I probably didn't need it (which is responsible considering the rise of HIV amongst heterosexuals and the fact that they failed to question me on any of my sexual history :rolleyes:

) But I figured since I was there having people stick stuff in me I may as well get it done and never have to go back again (fingers crossed). Plus for me it was proving to myself I could do it... on a lot of valium.

Reply 15

sunscreen

7

latot

HA!!!

If you think THAT'S bad then you'd be physically sick to hear what the hell we guys have to go through! It's almost enough to put a guy off sex for good!

lol actually i was thinking of having a bit of a sex ban lol thenthought NAAA hehe

Reply 16

ciara

13

Aw don't worry, I read that thread and got totally paranoid too! Even though I've been really safe, especially when I compare myself to everyone I know, it just takes one encounter to infect you. I have decided to definitely get a full test, but the GUM clinics near me are absolutely useless and it takes months to get an appointment, so I'm going to wait until I get back to uni and hope it's a bit better there. Try not to worry anyway, in life eventually a doc is going to need to look at your vagina, so it'll do no harm to get used to it now!

Reply 17

latot

Anonymous

I wouldn't say the bloke's version (cotton bud up the urethra and a feel of the testicles) is any worse, probably equally bad though.

I'll take it you've never heard of the scrape test then?

STI testing for females

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