STD Testing Is More Important Than We Think

Health screening tests are becoming a routine and norm as part of medical checkups in Singapore.  These medical checkups are aim to screen for asymptomatic medical diseases, allowing early intervention, prompt treatment and better long-term health outcome. 

While we are fairly open for general health screening, we tend to be hesitant towards STD screening. Why so? And why is STD testing important? Should STD testing be as important as general health screening?

Do read on this article.

Reasons for Dissuasion and Hesitation against STD Screening

Common reasons that one thinks twice about getting tested for STDs:

• I don't have any unusual symptoms, therefore I should be STD free, I don't need STD testing.
• I am in a monogamous relationship. STD testing is only for those with 'multiple' sexual partners.
• I use condom/barrier protection; therefore, I am safe from STDs.
• My partner(s) has tested negative for STDs, therefore, I should be negative, and don't require STD testing.
• I don't know which healthcare facilities to go for STD testing.
• I might be judged and discriminated upon when getting tested for STDs.

Stigma over STD testing

STD testing stigma comes from our society and cultural beliefs. 

This stereotyping often deters most of us from even considering STD testing. 

Truth is,

While we discriminate against STDs and even screening for STDs, STD infections are quite the opposite. It can potentially affect anyone who is sexually active regardless of background and occupation.

Reasons STD Testing Should Not Be Neglected

Most STDs have no symptoms. Screening is the only way to detect silent STD infection.

Infections such as HIV, syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhea can stay indolent in our body, without causing clear physical symptoms for a long period of time. It is important to note that even without symptoms, with the presence of underlying STD infection(s), one can insidiously develop health complications such as chronic inflammation of the reproductive organs, or deterioration in general immune system following progression of infection (in the case of HIV). It is only via screening that we can detect the infection(s) early, promptly control and treat the condition, to reduce further health destruction or transmission of STDs to others.

Prevent long term health complications

Untreated STDs can progress to irreversible health complications such as chronic pain from pelvic inflammatory and scarring disease, testicular and prostate inflammation, infertility in both men and women. In certain STDs such as HPV infections, one may even develop cancer unknowingly. It is imperative to note that many STDs are curable if picked up early and medically treated without delay. 

Prevent and minimize risk of spreading

STDs, as the name suggested, can be passed on sexually to partner(s). If one is unaware of their own infection(s), not tested and not treated, one can spread sexual viruses and bacterias to their love ones inadvertently. With proper treatment and management of STD conditions, one can protect their love ones, lowers the risk of passing infection(s)to their partner(s).

STDs can affect offspring

During pregnancy, untreated STDs increase risk of pregnancy complications and stillbirth. STDs can also affect the newborn- causing birth defects, blindness, deafness, nerve damage, lung infections, rashes, learning delay and disability. Some of the blood-borne STDs such as HIV, hepatitis B infection may carry long term health complications in the child.  

In the recent years, medical research highlights the association of STD infections and poorer quality sperm and ovum, can play a role in long-term epigenetics of the future infant even if conception is successful. Hence, STD testing is encouraged for everyone, including couples who are in the midst of conceiving.

Allows inform consent and decisions among couples

Certain STD conditions such as HPV infections, Herpes, HIV infection, Hepatitis infections can be life-long (though there are effective medications in the pipeline to control and manage the symptoms, minimizing the spread of infection to partners). As these medical infections are asymptomatic, STD screening allows couple to understand their sexual medical health background better, giving ample opportunities for inform consent and decisions before proceeding into the next stage of sexual relationship. This will also be preparing couples on possible consequences and understand the best way to reduce risk of transmission of disease among each other.

Ease our mind, prevent long term mental stress

Living in fear, not knowing one's own health status, especially after sexual intercourse with others can place a toll on a person's mental health. This stress is further amplified with the associated stigma against STDs and incurability of certain STD infections. STD testing proactively relieves a person's anxiety and mental stress and encourages one take charge and be responsible to own health.

Normalizing STD testing…

• STD testing is just as important as general health medical testing.
• There should be no reason to be embarrassed about. If we can seek medical aid for symptoms of other organs of our body, there is nothing wrong to seek medical guidance and testing when we have health concerns over our sexual health.
• STD testing is as important as a form of medical checkup and should not be neglected due to its health and social repercussions.
• Proactive STD testing empowers one to understand their sexual health background, detect insidious STD infections, allow necessarily treatment, intervention and precaution to be taken to reduce health complications and further spread of diseases to others.
• Comfortable healthcare facilities which are discreet, confidential, non-judgmental, seamless in screening, education and STD treatment are vital in encouraging one to undergo STD medical checkups. 

In Dr Ben Medical Clinic, we offer a wide range of patient-centered STD testing, allowing you to undergo STD checkups in a safe environment. Do reach out to us via call/ whatsapp/ email!

References:

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