Common questions about STI test results
How often should I get tested for STIs if I’m sexually active?
If you’re having sex with other humans, STI testing is basic maintenance, not a crisis ritual. Most sexually active people under 30 should aim for **at least once a year**. You’ll want to bump that up to **every 3–6 months** if:
You have multiple partners
You have new partners frequently
You don’t always use condoms/barriers
You or your partner(s) have other partners
If you’re on PrEP for HIV, many clinics will bundle in **regular STI screens** every 3 months. If you notice new symptoms—burning, weird discharge, sores, pelvic pain—test **right away**, regardless of when your last test was. Testing isn’t a judgment on your choices; it’s how you keep your body and future options protected.
Can my period or hormones mess up my STI test results?
Your hormones can absolutely mess with your mood, your discharge, and your patience—but **they don’t usually mess up STI test accuracy**. Blood tests (for HIV, syphilis, etc.) don’t care where you are in your cycle. Swab or urine tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trich are also generally fine at any time.What hormones *do* change:
Discharge (more stretchy at ovulation, thicker in luteal phase)
Cramping and pelvic pain around your period
Spotting or bleeding that can mimic infection
So your symptoms might feel worse or more confusing at certain points in your cycle, but the lab machines are not out here getting PMS. If a provider ever tells you “we can’t test because you’re on your period,” that’s a red flag—most tests are still totally doable.
Do I still need STI tests if I always use condoms?
Condoms are powerful, but they’re not a magic forcefield. They’re amazing at reducing risk for **chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, and many other STIs**, but things spread through **skin-to-skin contact**—like herpes and HPV—can still pass even with condom use. Also, condoms break, slip, or don’t always make it on from the very start of sex.Routine testing is still smart even with great condom habits, especially if you:
Have multiple or new partners
Do oral sex without barriers
Use toys with others without always using condoms on them
Think of condoms + testing as a **team:** condoms reduce risk in the moment, testing catches anything that sneaks through.
How long after STI treatment should I retest to make sure it’s gone?
For most bacterial STIs, retesting isn’t about “did the meds work” as much as “did I get re-exposed.” General guide:
Chlamydia & Gonorrhea: Retest at 3 months to check for re-infection, even if symptoms are gone.
Trichomoniasis: Often retested around 3 months too.
Syphilis: Follow-up blood tests at specific intervals (like 3, 6, 12 months) depending on stage and your provider’s plan.
If symptoms don’t clear within **a week or two** after finishing meds, or they come back, push for repeat testing sooner. For chronic infections (herpes, HIV, HPV), follow-up is about **monitoring and management**, not cure.
Can an STI affect my menstrual cycle?
Some pelvic infections can absolutely mess with your bleeding pattern. Untreated **chlamydia or gonorrhea** can cause inflammation in the uterus and fallopian tubes, which may show up as:
Spotting between periods
Bleeding after sex
Heavier or more painful periods
Your normal hormonal rhythm—menstrual, follicular, ovulation, luteal—runs on estrogen and progesterone, not STIs. But when infection irritates your reproductive organs, your period can look and feel different. If you notice new bleeding patterns plus pain, odor, or unusual discharge, that’s your sign to get checked for both **STIs and other gynecologic issues** like fibroids, polyps, or hormonal imbalances.If you’re staring at your results, your cycle app, and your group chat and still not sure what’s normal, you don’t have to guess alone—Gush is there when you want to ask the messy questions, unpack patterns, or just sanity-check what your body’s doing.
