Do you suspect that you have a sexually transmitted disease? Do you have major concerns about the impact on your personal life and health? Are you wondering what you can do next to bring yourself some peace of mind?
While no two people are dealing with the exact same circumstances, there are steps you should take if you suspect you have an STD.
With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating that one in five people in the United States has an STD, it’s possible that you could be among this group.
What should you do?
Yes, you could hope that you don’t have an STD and whatever issue you’re facing goes away. And while you may be fortunate enough for this to happen, it’s not the approach you want to take.
Here’s what you should do:
Assess the Situation.
Above all else, you need to know exactly what you’re up against. Until you assess your situation, it’s difficult to decide what to do next.
Why do you think you have an STD? Have you had an STD in the past? Are you confident that you know where it came from?
The more information you gather at this stage of the process, the better off you’ll be.
Consider How to Get Tested
There is more than one way to get tested for an STD, with two options standing out from the crowd:
– A local doctor’s office or urgent care facility
– An at-home test
While there are benefits of both, many people would rather opt for an at-home test. For example, an at home std test for men allows you to receive results in a timely manner, without having an awkward conversation with a doctor and other medical professionals.
What matters most is that you get tested as soon as possible and then take the applicable action. This is the only way to put your mind at ease and provide yourself with direction on what comes next.
Review the Results
For example, if you opted for an at-home STD test, you’ll wait to receive the results online. This generally happens quickly, so don’t delay in sending your test kit back.
You’ll either find that you’re positive or negative for an STD. This will help you decide what to do next. If you’re positive, it means that you need to consider which line of treatment is best for you. At this point, you may need to consult with your medical team to determine what comes next.
Conversely, if you’re negative, you’re likely to feel a sense of relief. But remember this: you may still have another medical issue that is causing you trouble. Your symptoms could be related to another type of ailment.
Decide on a Plan of Action
Your health is the most important thing in your life, so you want to deal with any ailment that comes your way in a timely and responsible manner.
The plan of action that’s best for you may not be best for the next person, and vice versa. However, it’s good to know that there are steps you can take no matter what situation you’re faced with.
You can start by completing research online. This gives you a better understanding of what your STD is all about, which will point you toward receiving the right type of treatment.
And of course, if you consult with your primary care physician, you’ll have someone on your side who can help you make a recovery.
Tip: don’t be embarrassed to seek treatment for an STD.
Final Thoughts
These are the types of steps you can take if you suspect that you have an STD. You’ll never know for sure until you take an STD test and review the results.
Even though an STD can affect your health and well-being, both now and in the future, don’t let that scare you from seeking the truth. This allows you to take action. Have you ever been diagnosed with an STD? How did you receive a test and results? Were you eventually able to get your problem under control? How long did it take?
