STI Testing Montgomery, Alabama

STI Testing Montgomery, Alabama

We provide free STI Testing in Montgomery, AL. To better serve the women in our community, we offer STD/STI testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, syphilis, and HIV. All testing is by appointment only; give us a call today at (334) 260-8010 to get scheduled.

STDs and STIs – What’s the Difference?

The terms STD and STI are often used interchangeably, but contrary to popular belief, they do not mean the same thing. The term STI is used to describe the presence of an infection in the body, which may or may not be accompanied by symptoms. The term STD, on the other hand, describes an STI that has progressed from an infection to a disease that has caused damage in a person’s body (again, this can be with or without symptoms). To sum it all up, all STDs are STIs, though not all STIs become STDs.

STI TESTING

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Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are diseases passed from person to person during sexual activity, typically through bodily fluids and, in some cases, skin-to-skin contact.

STDs and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) often go undetected and can lead to serious health concerns. Left untreated, some of these infections can cause irreversible damage to your reproductive system. In addition, both STIs and STDs can be passed on to newborns during childbirth if the mother is infected and remains untreated before giving birth.

It’s important to note that not everyone infected with an STD will experience signs or symptoms, meaning they can be passed along to your partner(s) without your knowledge. Get free STI Testing in Montgomery, AL.

GONORRHEA
Gonorrhea can be passed to both men and women by having sex and most commonly affects those in the 15-24 year age demographic. With this STI, women often show mild to no symptoms at all, making it hard to know if you have it without regular STI testing. Gonorrhea is both treatable and curable; If left untreated, complications can occur down the road. If you sexually active and under the age of 25, the CDC recommends getting STI testing once each year.
CHLAMYDIA
Chlamydia is a common STI that can be passed to both men and women. If you are positive for chlamydia, you will not always have symptoms, but the infection is still present and will require treatment to avoid permanent damage. Severe repercussions such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women, complications or complete inability to conceive, risk of contracting HIV, or in rare cases, sterility for men, can occur if the STD is not treated. In addition, even if you are cured of chlamydia, you are able to contract the disease again, so it is important to get STI testing regularly if you are sexually active.
TRICHOMONIASIS
Trichomoniasis (trich, for sort) is a very common STI that is also easily curable. Only about one in three people who contract this STI present with symptoms, making it difficult to know if you have it without getting tested. Trich is most common among women, but it is possible for men to contract the infection as well. Trich can stay alive in the body for years after being infected and can make you more susceptible to contract other STIs; you can also contract it again after being treated for it previously.
SYPHILIS
Syphilis is an STD that is generally divided into four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. Syphilis can often cause sores, and direct contact with these sores on a sexual partner during can transmit the infection. Even if syphilis is not treated, many people affected by this STD never reach the tertiary stage. If one does enter this stage, however, consequences can be severe. Organ systems like the heart and nervous system, and in rare cases, the brain, can become affected.
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a dangerous STD that causes your immune system to weaken. The virus is incurable, but it can be managed with medication, allowing many people with HIV to live a long and healthy life. HIV is contracted through sexual contact and can be passed from a pregnant mother to her unborn child. HIV is divided into three stages: acute HIV infection, chronic HIV infection, and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV spreads throughout the body, making it very easy to pass on to your partners; if left untreated and if it progresses to the third stage, severe damage to your immune system and eventual death can occur. This is why it is so important for STI testing if you are sexually active.

Your health and well-being is the most important thing. We offer STD and STI testing in Montgomery, AL. Our STI testing for women is by appointment only. Call us at (334) 260-8010 to schedule a free and confidential appointment.

ADDITIONAL RISKS

If not treated prior to an abortion, STDs can be carried from the vagina up into the uterus. When this occurs, a second condition called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) may develop. Immediate symptoms of PID can be mild and even non-existent, but the effects are long lasting. According to the CDC, 1 in 8 women with a history of PID experience difficulty getting pregnant in the future and can lead to an increased risk of an ectopic pregnancy, resulting in serious medical complications and, in some cases, death.

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Call First Choice today for an appointment.