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STD / STI & UTI TESTING

Difference Between STD, STI, and UTI

Did you know that the most common symptom for an STI (sexually transmitted infection) or STD (sexually transmitted disease) is no symptoms whatsoever? That’s right. Many people who contract an STI do not experience any symptoms or only experience mild symptoms.

The terms STI (sexually transmitted infection) and STD (sexually transmitted disease) are both terms used to describe the same things; diseases and infections transmitted sexually through oral, anal, or vaginal sex or contact with other bodily fluids, and can be viral or bacterial.

Common Symptoms of STIs

If you experience symptoms as a result of an STI, they will probably include one or more of the following:

  • Pain during sex
  • Fever
  • Pain in the lower abdomen
  • Bumps or sores on the genitals, oral, or rectal area
  • Painful or burning urination
  • Discharge from the penis
  • Irregular or odorous vaginal discharge
  • Irregular vaginal bleeding
  • Sore, swollen lymph nodes, usually in the groin
  • Rash on hands, feet, or trunk
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How STIs Affect Women

If left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea increase the risk of chronic pelvic pain and life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can also cause infertility if left untreated.

Compared to men, women have a higher risk of contracting an STI during unprotected vaginal sex. Unprotected anal sex puts women at an even higher risk of getting an STI than unprotected vaginal sex.

The chances of contracting a UTI are significantly higher for women than they are for men, with the odds of contracting at least one UTI in their lifetime being 1 in 2 for women.

Common Symptoms of UTI

The most common type of UTI is a bladder infection.

Symptoms of a bladder infection could include:

  • Frequently urinating
  • Experiencing a burning sensation or pain while urinating
  • Feeling like you have to urinate even if your bladder is empty.
  • Blood in the urine.
  • Cramping or pressure in the lower abdomen or groin.

Symptoms of a kidney infection may include:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Pain in the lower back or the side of your back
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

If you think you might have a UTI, schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional. At Elevation Women’s Healthcare, we provide free testing for UTIs. All services are free and at no cost to our clients. Additional restrictions may apply.

When to Get Tested for an STI

You will want to get tested for STIs if you have recently had unprotected sex, have recently changed partners, or are considering scheduling an abortion. It is always in your best interest to get tested. The sooner you diagnose and treat an STI, the more likely you are to avoid the most adverse effects of the STI.

It is essential to test for sexually transmitted diseases if you are considering abortion since the presence of STIs can increase your risk of contracting Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), a severe medical condition caused by untreated STIs.

Elevation Women’s Healthcare does not refer to or provide abortion services. Elevation Women’s Healthcare offers free pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and STI testing and treatment, among other services. All services offered at Elevation Women’s Healthcare are provided at no cost to the client.

STI & UTI Testing Available at Elevation Women’s Healthcare

Elevation Women’s Healthcare provides comprehensive STI and UTI testing and treatment completely free of charge.

All clients who test positive for an STI can receive antibiotic treatment from Elevation Women’s Healthcare free of charge, with no insurance needed.

Schedule Your Test Today

To schedule your free STI or UTI test, contact Elevation Women’s Healthcare today and schedule an appointment. All appointments, results, and medical information are entirely confidential.

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