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Screening guidelines exist for a reason.
The problem is that this doesnt account for individual case considerations.
There are many reasons why people might wish to be tested for STIs more often than guidelines recommend.
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If youre still met with a no or you cant get a referral, consider getting a second opinion.
Not all healthcare providers have these at their disposal.
Your healthcare provider may even have a provider or lab that they refer patients to regularly.
Sometimes, they simply dont realize that they should.
The Pap screening test itself is very safe.
Studies have shown that, if left untreated, many precancerous lesions will eventually spontaneously resolve on their own.
Testing, then, may reveal an infection that really could just be left alone.
Unfortunately, many healthcare providers are afraid to screen andnot treat.
If watchful waiting without treatment turns out to be the wrong decision, there may be legal consequences.
However, others go too often.
Certain individuals may excessively worry about STIs every single time they have sex.
Your healthcare provider may be concerned about exacerbating this kind of fear by agreeing to frequent testing.
They Dont Know STI Test Protocols
The diagnostic tests that are available change over time.
If that is the case, discuss their concerns.
They may be legitimate.
For example, many healthcare providers are extremely concerned about the potential emotional consequences of afalse positive testresult.
This may be particularly true for rapid HIV tests, which are not as accurate as lab tests.
They may be hesitant to screen people for asymptomatic diseases, particularly those without serious long-term health risks.
Knowing your status is especially important if your behavior may be putting a new sexual partner at risk.
Its true that finding out you have herpes or genital warts can be a life-changing experience.
But if youre older, many healthcare providers may not be as worried about you as they should be.
In part, this is because young people are actually at greater risk of STIs.
It Isnt Their Area of Expertise
Who should test you for sexually transmitted infections?
Your primary care physician?
Realistically speaking, any of those healthcare providers could test you for most STIs.
But STI screening isnt always available in every clinic.
Someblood testscan be ordered by almost any healthcare provider.
Other urine and swab tests require skills or expertise that not all healthcare providers have.
For those at higher risk, the CDC recommends getting tested at least once a year.
2018;320(7):687-705. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.10400
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to get tested for HIV.
