Help patients book appointments with you on Solv. It's free! Anyone who is sexually active should consider getting tested for STDs. This includes individuals who are in monogamous relationships, as STDs can remain dormant for years before showing symptoms. Those who have multiple sexual partners, engage in unprotected sex, or share needles for drug use are at a higher risk and should get tested regularly. According to the CDC, sexually active women under 25, men who have sex with men, and individuals with HIV should get tested at least once a year.
Getting tested for STDs is crucial for both individual and public health. Early detection can prevent serious health complications like infertility, cancer, and organ damage. It also helps stop the spread of these diseases, as many people with STDs don't show symptoms and can unknowingly pass them to others.
Regular testing is a responsible and proactive approach to maintaining your sexual health and that of your partners. Urgent care and walk-in clinics offer convenient, same-day STD testing. This highly-rated clinic provides a range of STD tests with short wait times. Your primary care provider can also test for STDs. They are a good option if you have a strong relationship with your doctor and feel comfortable discussing your sexual health with them.
For those without insurance or who are unable to afford testing, free STD testing is available at community health centers. While Birmingham does not have a community health center, nearby cities like Southfield and Madison Heights have facilities like 1st Choice Urgent Care and Medpro Urgent Care that offer testing services. At-home STD testing kits provide a private and convenient option.
These kits can be ordered online, and you send a sample back to a lab for testing. Results are usually available online within a few days. Birmingham, located in Oakland County, has seen a rise in STD rates in recent years, mirroring national trends. While these rates are lower than in some nearby counties like Chautauqua and Beaver, they are higher than others, such as Lawrence and Butler.
