Urine is a valuable tool for detecting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It can be used to test for gonorrhea and chlamydia, two of the most common STIs. Blood tests are also available to detect HIV and syphilis. If you have any symptoms, your doctor will evaluate them and may take a swab from the affected area to perform the tests.
Today, urinalysis is primarily used to detect bacterial STIs. Urine tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea are widely available, and tests for trichomoniasis are less common. Home collection kits are also available to detect chlamydia and other STDs. With these kits, you collect a swab or urine sample at home and send it to a lab for testing.
It is important to follow all instructions carefully. Health care providers test people for chlamydia and gonorrhea using a urinalysis or swab. Swabs are taken from the inside of the penis in men or from the cervix in women. The sample is then studied in a laboratory.
Screening tests are important because if you don't have symptoms, you may not know you're infected. Sexually transmitted diseases are common, but the types of STI tests you need may vary depending on your risk factors. Knowing which tests to get can help you stay healthy and protect your sexual partners from infection. It's important to talk to your doctor about your sexual health and get tested regularly.
