STD Testing Specialist

Capital Women's Care

OBGYNs located in Manassas, Haymarket and Fairfax, VA

If you experience pelvic pain or other abnormal gynecological symptoms and are at risk of a sexually transmitted disease (STD), the experienced OB/GYNs at Capital Women’s Care offer solutions. With three convenient locations in Fairfax, Manassas, and Haymarket, Virginia, they use a simple blood test or other diagnostic tests to detect or rule out STDs and treat them accordingly. Don’t let an STD go untreated and lead to complications. Schedule an appointment with Capital Women’s Care over the phone or online today.

STD Testing Q & A

What is STD testing?

STD testing uses diagnostic tests to screen for sexually transmitted diseases, such as human papilloma virus (HPV), gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

When left untreated, STDs can lead to serious complications, such as infertility. That’s why routine STD testing is crucial if you’re at risk.

What are the symptoms of STDs?

You might not experience any symptoms at all if you have an STD, which is why routine screening is important. If you do have symptoms, you may notice:

Abdominal or pelvic pain
Painful or burning urination
Painful bowel movements
Vaginal discharge
Pain during sexual intercourse
Bleeding between periods or heavy menstrual periods
Genital or anal itching
Strong vaginal odor
Small red bumps, blisters, or warts near the genitals

Early signs of HIV include fever, sore throat, headache, swollen lymph glands, fatigue, and a rash. If you contract hepatitis A, B, or C, you might experience fatigue, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dark urine, muscle or joint pain, and yellowing of your skin or eyes.

What are the risk factors for STDs?

STDs are spread through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sexual intercourse and through blood. Your risk of developing an STD increases if you:

Have unprotected sexual intercourse with at-risk partners
Use intravenous (IV) drugs
Have been forced to have sexual intercourse against your will
Misuse recreational drugs or alcohol

The best way to avoid STDs is to abstain from sexual intercourse, use a condom every time you have sex, or have a monogamous sexual partner who’s been tested for STDs.

What does STD testing involve?

STD testing involves various diagnostic exams, including urine tests, blood tests, and swabs from a genital sore or cervical cells during a pelvic exam. The type of test you require depends on your symptoms and the STDs you’re at risk for.

Will I require STD treatment?

Not all STDs have a cure, but treatments can help alleviate symptoms and complications associated with STDs. Taking antibiotics can cure gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.

Antiviral drugs help manage symptoms and reduce complications associated with herpes and HIV. Removing a small portion of the cervix helps prevent precancerous cervical cells associated with HPV from spreading.

If you’re at risk of an STD or exhibit symptoms, don’t put off getting tested. Schedule an appointment with Capital Women's Care over the phone or online today.