Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Testing

STD testing  for common  sexual  diseasesSexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are among the most common infections and transferable through any sexual contact. If you’re sexually active, it’s vital to your health and the health of your sexual partner(s) to be routinely tested for STDs. Dr. Jill Gibson is an obstetrician/gynecologist who provides personalized care for women in all stages of life. This includes administering STD tests to female patients in Louisiana’s Northshore area.

Why is STD Testing Important?

STDs can compromise your health and cause incurable lifelong afflictions or even death. Testing is the only way to determine whether you have one or more STDs. Many STDs include flu-like symptoms, so it’s easy to mistake it for a cold or flu. Others are completely asymptomatic, which means you don’t have any symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases. These are the most dangerous because you unknowingly allow the disease to progress and spread.

While most STDS are easily treated when detected early, others like syphilis can cause severe complications or even death when left untreated. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause serious, permanent damage to your reproductive system and lead to serious complications like pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Incurable viral STDs like HIV, genital herpes, and hepatitis are manageable with medication, but become life-threatening when left undetected and untreated for too long.

Standard STD Testing

There isn’t a single test that covers all STDs, and testing frequency depends on your age, sexual behavior and other risk factors. During testing, we may take one or more of the following:

  • blood sample (HIV, syphilis, hepatitis)
  • urine sample (chlamydia, gonorrhea)
  • mouth swab
  • swab from the genitals
  • swab of discharge or genital sores (herpes)

Testing for trichomoniasis also includes a pelvic exam to retrieve vaginal discharge for a wet mount test. No good screening tests exist for herpes. However, we can take a tissue scraping of existing blisters for a laboratory examination.

Dr. Gibson also can perform a colposcopy to closely examine your cervix, vagina and vulva for signs of disease, including:

  • Condyloma or genital/venereal warts caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
  • Cervicitis often resulting from STDs like chlamydia, trichomonas, or gonorrhea.

Women’s Health Services

Dr. Gibson offers compassionate OB/GYN care for women in all stages of life, from adolescence through menopause. We offer a relaxing environment at two convenient locations. Visit our Covington or Franklinton office, or contact us at 985-898-5990 to schedule your appointment today!