Syphilis
6 Best At-Home STD Tests Of 2024
Brooke Murad recognized that STIs that go undetected can affect fertility in people with vaginas, and as a newlywed, she thought it wise to test preemptively.
"It's important [for all folx] to get tested regularly, even when you have a long-term partner (as I do). We will be family planning in the next couple of years, so we will want to know of anything that might hurt our chances of a successful pregnancy and try to nip it in the bud."
Murad appreciated Nurx's package delivery, saying: "The test kit came in discreet packaging; the box the tests came in was completely blank, with no text. I appreciated their thoughtfulness on this, in case one might want to keep this information private."
Murad also said the kit included three tests: vaginal, throat, and blood — as well as a large step-by-step instructional card to guide you through the collection processes with visuals. She said each of the printed materials came with a corresponding QR code that provided videos and online instruction.
"My only qualm with this test is that they send you many more materials than you actually need. For example, they sent me four of the little pricking tools and several bandages, when they only instructed me to take a single prick.
"I was definitely more nervous heading into this test than I needed to be because I thought I might need to prick myself a few times."
Nurx processing seemed to take a little longer than other tests by Murad's account: "I shipped my results on a Tuesday and got a notice that they were received by Nurx on Saturday. It took an additional 5 days to receive the final results."
Murad says her results were shared directly from a nurse on their team. It came directly to her email inbox, as well as a message in the app.
"I was surprised that the results did not include any numbers/measurements. [My nurse] Carol interpreted my results for me. She explained that all of my results were negative, indicating that I do not have any of the conditions I was testing for. If a condition is present, you might expect to see more stats to help explain any abnormalities."
Murad notes that patients are eligible for follow-ups or to ask questions as part of this step.
Types Of STDs: Everything You Need To Know
An STD (sexually transmitted disease) is a condition that develops due to a virus, bacteria, or parasite that spreads through sexual contact. STDs may be referred to as STIs (sexually transmitted infections). An STI causes the condition, and an STD develops as a result of that infection. Many sources use these terms interchangeably.
Many different types of STDs present with various symptoms, such as rashes, itching, unusual discharge or bleeding, fever, and flu-like symptoms. Some STDs can lead to complications like infertility and cancer, especially if untreated.
Most STDs are curable, but some are chronic (long-lasting). About 20 million new cases of STIs occur each year, and this number appears to be increasing. Anyone sexually active can get an STD, but teenagers, young adults, and men who have sex with men are at the highest risk.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STD in the United States, and it's a virus that can affect anyone. HPV often doesn't cause symptoms, but some types of HPV can cause genital warts. In some cases, the virus may remain dormant and reactivate later. Routine screening is essential for identifying and treating HPV as soon as possible. When untreated, HPV can lead to various types of cancers, including mouth, throat, cervical, vulvar, penile, and anal cancer. While there is no medication to treat HPV, a vaccine is available to prevent contracting the virus. HPV treatment includes removals of warts. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV affects the body's immune system, destroying the blood cells that help fight infection and leading to a severely weakened immune system. Although there is no cure for HIV, there are antiviral medications that can significantly lower your viral load and allow you to live a long and healthy life. Chlamydia is an STD caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. Symptoms include unusual discharge, burning when peeing, stomach pain, and fever. Some people who contract chlamydia don't have any symptoms. Untreated chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause pelvic pain and damage the reproductive system. Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics. Gonorrhea is a condition caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacteria grows quickly in your reproductive tract and can cause unusual discharge and pain during urination. The infection can also spread to your mouth, throat, joints, rectum, and eyes. Gonorrhea is another STD that can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. Public lice are tiny crab-looking parasites that attach to pubic hair and live off human blood. Symptoms include itching and the appearance of pubic lice and nits. Treatment involves washing all objects, towels, and linens you come into contact with and treating the lice with lice-killing lotions. Genital herpes is caused by a virus known as herpes simplex virus (HSV). Symptoms of genital herpes include cold sores on the mouth, genitals, or anus. It's also possible to have no symptoms. There is no cure for genital herpes, but medication can treat symptoms. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a condition affecting the female reproductive organs, such as the uterus, ovaries, cervix, and fallopian tubes. Various types of bacteria cause PID, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and the bacteria that normally live in the vagina. PID can cause pelvic pain, unusual discharge, and fever. It may also lead to serious complications like infertility, increased risk for ectopic pregnancy, and tubo-ovarian abscess—an infectious mass in the ovaries that may lead to sepsis. PID is managed by treating the underlying bacterial infection with antibiotics. Syphilis is an STD caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. The main symptom of syphilis is an ulcer on the penis or vagina called a chancre. Untreated syphilis can spread to other areas of the body, as well as to a fetus during pregnancy—leading to congenital disorders. Syphilis is treated with antibiotics. Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Symptoms include a burning sensation while peeing, genital soreness, redness, itching, and unusual discharge. Untreated trichomoniasis can increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. Trichomoniasis can be treated with antibiotics. Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen) is a bacteria that can cause infections in the cervix, uterus, rectum, or the urethra in the penis. Symptoms include unusual vaginal or penile discharge or burning while peeing, though some people experience no symptoms. Mgen can be treated with a course of antibiotics. Most cases of Zika spread through mosquitoes, but if you contract the virus that causes Zika, you can transmit it through sexual contact. Zika typically causes symptoms like fever, rash, and muscle aches. The virus can be passed to a developing fetus during pregnancy, which may result in congenital anomalies. There is no treatment for Zika currently, but you can help prevent contracting it by not traveling to places with Zika outbreaks and taking steps to prevent mosquito bites. Viral hepatitis is caused by three different hepatitis viruses: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. All hepatitis viruses can cause serious inflammation of the liver. Most hepatitis infections can be prevented with vaccines and treated with antiviral agents. Bacterial vaginosis is a condition that occurs when the bacteria present in the vagina and surrounding area reach abnormally high levels, resulting in unusual vaginal discharge that may have a fish-like odor. If left untreated, bacterial vaginosis can progress to pelvic inflammatory disease and may increase the risk of preterm labor. Bacterial vaginosis can be treated with antibiotics. Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is an infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis—a different strain of the bacteria that causes chlamydia. LGV affects the lymphatic system and can cause genital sores, genital swelling, pain during bowel movements, swollen lymph nodes in the groin area, and blood or pus in your stool. LGV can be treated with antibiotics. Chancroid is a rare STD caused by a bacteria named Haemophilus ducreyi. It causes ulcers in the genital area and swollen lymph nodes. Untreated chancroid increases the likelihood of HIV transmission. Chancroid is treated with antibiotics. The only way to completely prevent STDs is to not engage in sexual contact. There are several other ways to significantly lower your chances of contracting an STD. Here are some steps you can take to decrease your risk: Regularly get STD testing and ask any potential partners to get tested before engaging in sex Use a condom or dental dam each time you have sex Decrease the number of people you have sexual contact with If you test positive for an STD, make sure to get treatment right away. Getting treated for STDs often reduces the risk of spreading them to others. It also prevents complications, protecting your overall health and sexual health. There are many different types of STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases. Viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections cause STDs. Each STD presents with different symptoms and can affect the body in varying ways. It's important to identify and treat STDs promptly to reduce the risk of complications and transmission to others. Taking steps to practice safe sex can help prevent the transmission of STDs.Thanks for your feedback!
Exposing Chlamydia
Chlamydia is an infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It's one of the most widespread of all sexually transmitted diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal or anal sex when one partner is infected. It can also be passed on to the eye by a hand moistened with infected secretions, and to a newborn from an infected mother during delivery. It's possible, but rare, to pass chlamydia to the throat through an act of oral sex with an infected man.
Symptoms usually show up one to three weeks after infection, if they appear at all. According to the American Social Health Association (ASHA), men are much more likely to have symptoms than women.
If a man does have symptoms, it's usually a burning sensation when urinating, especially the first time in the morning, and a discharge from the penis. The most common symptom for women is increased vaginal discharge; less common are painful urination, unusual vaginal bleeding, bleeding after sex, and lower abdominal pain.
According to ASHA, unchecked and untreated chlamydia can lead to many problems. In men, the epididymis -- the region of the male genitals where sperm mature -- can become infected. Women can get pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection of the upper genital tract that can lead to scarring of the fallopian tubes. The scarring can increase a woman's risk of ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility.
If you're sexually active, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that you get tested for chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases once a year. If you test positive for chlamydia, you can be treated very simply and quickly with oral medication. You should also let your sexual partners know so they can get treatment, too.
If you remain sexually active, here are a few simple things you can do to minimize your risk of getting chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs):
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