I decided to get tested because a friend explained that it’s a part of my physical wellness. It wasn’t something I had ever put much thought into, I guess. I had been in a long-term relationship for the past five years, and before that I didn’t have much sex. My girlfriend and I broke up because she cheated on me. Going back out into the dating scene, one of my friends mentioned that it might be a good idea to get tested. They explained that they go about every 3-4 months.
At first, that seemed like a lot to me, but they said that is what’s recommended if you aren’t in a mutually monogamous relationship. I hate needles, but I guess it’s worth it if it keeps me protected. When they explained that it’s part of physical wellness, just like exercising or getting a good night’s rest, it made a lot more sense to me.
I called my insurance and found out that I could get all my testing done with my primary care doctor. I was tested for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV. I learned that it’s best to talk about what tests you are wanting with your doctor, instead of just expecting that they’ll know or give you a “full panel.” It also gave me the chance to ask my doctor questions, and I learned that there was a lot about sexual health I didn’t know. They talked to me about ways I can protect myself, including condoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). I may spend some more time Googling PrEP before my next visit so that I can ask more questions. I got my results pretty quick too. Overall, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. Anyone that’s sexually active should get tested.
