Getting Tested For An STI? You REALLY Need To Ask For This Check

Sex is one of life’s little pleasures. While it’s all fun and games at the time, unfortunately there can be a downside to our no-pants dance. If we’re being responsible, we know that having regular sex means we should be getting tested annually. While most sexually active women will have a vaginal exam, a new study published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases show an alarming number of women carrying unidentified infections due to a lack of screening. Thankfully with modern society, women can enjoy a buffet of sexual activities. But when STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea are located in areas outside of the genitals, (such as your throat or anus), you typically don't experience any symptoms. The research notes that although homosexual men are currently the only people recommended for oral and anal testing, the study suggests young women should now be tested for infections in these areas to increase the likelihood of detection. Researchers at Johns Hopkins examined data from 10,000 patients at a Baltimore STI clinic. The case studies included women and men, who were both hetero and homo-sexual, but all of who had recent exposure to oral or anal sex. The study found that where female patients only had genital tests, doctors would have missed 14% of the chlamydia cases and 30% of gonorrhoea cases in the group. It might sound like a slightly uncomfortable procedure, but remember safe sex makes sense, and it’s better to catch it now than to deal with complications further down the line. If you’re experimenting in your sexual appetite, just make sure to take the proper precautions (and be honest with your doctor about any tests that might be required). H/T Marie Claire