Get Tested: Catching Sexually Transmitted Infections Early If you’re sexually active, you’re at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Though they might be uncomfortable to talk about, STIs are very common and affect tens of thousands of Warfighters every year. Many STIs don’t have symptoms, especially for men, so getting tested is the only way to know your STI status. Regular STI testing ensures that you are able to control and treat an infection before it causes serious health problems. Why Get Tested? Having an STI and not knowing can delay treatment, which is crucial for your health and readiness. Receiving early treatment ensures the infection can’t further harm your body and prevents you from transferring it to your partner. Most STIs are easily treatable once they’re diagnosed. However, leaving an STI untreated may lead to long-term health problems that affect your ability to perform duties or deploy. Even STIs that don’t show symptoms can cause permanent damage to your reproductive system. Without treatment, STIs can result in infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and other serious conditions that can impact your health and readiness. When Is STI Testing Recommended? You may be wondering how often you need to get screened for STIs. This depends on your sex, age and sexual history. Your health care provider can help you determine which tests are recommended. Have an honest discussion about your current sexual behaviors and inform your provider if you have: A new sex partner Multiple sex partners A sex partner with an STI STI symptoms or other concerns The Mission Wellness app can also be a helpful tool for managing your STI status. Download the app to learn more about common STIs and when to seek testing. Where Do I Get Tested? If you’re considering STI testing, visit your health care provider. TRICARE will cover most STI screenings performed during a health promotion and disease prevention or well-woman exam. These tests are confidential and available even while deployed. If you’re CONUS, community health clinics and local health departments usually offer affordable STI testing services. Urgent care clinics are another option, as most provide quick and private walk-in services. How Do I Tell My Partner? It’s important that you talk openly with your partner about getting tested, ideally before sexual activity occurs. Having an honest conversation can help you establish expectations for your relationship that protect your sexual health. Be sure to discuss sexual histories, including when you were last tested and whether you currently have symptoms. Learn more about healthy sexual communication. If you’re planning to get tested for STIs, consider asking your partner to do the same. Then, share your results with each other. If one of you has an STI, make sure its fully treated before engaging in sexual activity. It’s crucial to ensure you’re both STI-free prior to any sexual contact. Remember that practicing safe sex is the best way to limit your exposure to possible STIs, even after testing. Getting tested for STIs can be intimidating, but it’s an important part of protecting your sexual health. Catching and treating STIs early can help you, and your partner(s), avoid health problems that threaten your well-being and mission readiness. Additional ResourcesDefense Health Agency - “Sexual Health”Warfighter Wellness - “Myth or Fact: Sexually Transmitted Infections”ReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention - “Getting Tested for STIs”Health.mil - “Show You Care, Protect Yourself, Others from STIs”Health.mil - “Update: Sexually transmitted infections among active component members of the U.S. Armed Forces, 2016–2024”TRICARE - “Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention”
