Your Guide to STD Testing: What to Expect and Why It Matters

At Women’s Care of Beverly Hills, one of the most important conversations our OB/GYN team has with patients is about STD testing. The conversation can be unnecessarily stressful because there’s still stigma around it, but there shouldn’t be. Testing is a normal, responsible part of caring for your health.

Whether you’re in a new relationship, have multiple partners, are pregnant, or haven’t been tested in a while, understanding what to expect can make the process feel much easier.

Why STD testing matters

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are common, with 2.2 million cases reported in 2024. Many people have no symptoms at all, which means you can feel completely healthy and still carry an infection.

Untreated infections can lead to serious complications in women, including:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Infertility
• Pregnancy complications
• Increased risk of HIV transmission

Routine testing helps protect your long-term reproductive health — and your partners.

When to get tested

Testing recommendations vary based on age, sexual activity, and risk factors. However, we generally recommend:

• Sexually active women under 25 should be tested annually for chlamydia and gonorrhea
• Women 25 and older with new or multiple partners should be tested annually
• Anyone with symptoms (unusual discharge, pelvic pain, sores, burning with urination) should be evaluated right away
• All pregnant women should be screened early in pregnancy
• Anyone with a new partner should consider testing before becoming sexually active

If you’re unsure if you need to be tested, just ask our team. We’ll compassionately consider your case and give you the best advice we can.

What to expect at your appointment

STD testing is usually quick and straightforward. Exactly what happens at your appointment depends on what we’re testing for. But your experience may include:

• A urine sample
• A vaginal or cervical swab (similar to a Pap test)
• A blood test
• A swab of a sore, if present

Most tests are painless or mildly uncomfortable at most. We typically get your results within a few days, and can discuss next steps if anything comes back positive.

Common STDs screened for

We commonly test for:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• HIV
• Hepatitis B and C
• Trichomonas
• HPV (through Pap testing guidelines)

Each infection has its own screening protocol, which is why individualized care matters.

If your test comes back positive

Remember first and foremost: you are not alone. STDs are common and treatable.

Many infections, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, can be cured with antibiotics. Others, like herpes or HIV, can be effectively managed with medication so you can live a healthy, normal life.

We also discuss with you how to notify any partners, which is essential to prevent reinfection.

Schedule your STD testing

STD testing is private, straightforward, and one of the best ways to protect your reproductive health. If you’re sexually active, testing should be part of your routine wellness care.

If you have questions or are unsure whether you’re due for screening,  reach out to Women’s Care of Beverly Hills today by phone or make an appointment online.