You think you have a STI/STD, now what?
We know you may be having mixed feelings right now about the possibility of having a STI. We are here to help you navigate next steps that are cost free to you.
You are not alone in what you are experiencing and in this moment you need to take care of yourself. You can gain peace of mind about the situation you’re facing by requesting an appointment at EPS for STI Screening and accurate medical information. EPS has eight nurses on staff with 30.5 years of combined experience. You are so worth taking the time to talk with a professional about your concerns to ensure your health is not jeopardized by a STI.
At Essential Pregnancy Services (EPS), we screen and treat women for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Our services are free, and you do not need to be pregnant to be seen at EPS. You can request a free appointment online now or call to speak with a nurse and have your questions answered now. There are no hidden fees, and our services are completely confidential. We exist to help arm you with knowledge of the issues you’re facing so you can make informed choices about your health.
To learn about STIs and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, keeping reading. However, the information below – although helpful – is not comprehensive. That’s why we invite you to call or text a nurse for help now.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are very common. In the United States, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there are approximately 20 million new STD infections each year—almost half of them among young people ages 15 to 24” (Healthy People). And the World Health Organization reports that each year there are an estimated “374 million new infections with 1 of 4 STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis.”
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two of the most reported bacterial infections among adults. These two STIs are treatable. However, if left untreated, they can cause potential damage to a woman’s reproductive system, possibly causing infertility.
PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is often mentioned when talking about STIs and women. You may have heard it referred to as a silent infection because many women do not know they have it until they have chronic pelvic pain, or they try to get pregnant.
PID is an “infection of one or more of the upper reproductive organs, including the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Untreated PID can cause scar tissue and pockets of infected fluid (abscesses) to develop in the reproductive tract, which can cause permanent damage.” (Mayo Clinic).
Some women don’t have any signs or symptoms. When signs and symptoms of PID are present, they most often include:
• Pain — ranging from mild to severe — in your lower abdomen and pelvis
• Unusual or heavy vaginal discharge that may have an unpleasant odor
• Unusual bleeding from the vagina, especially during or after sex, or between periods
• Pain during sex
• Fever, sometimes with chills
• Painful, frequent or difficult urination
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
See your healthcare provider or seek urgent medical care if you experience:
• Severe pain low in your abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting, with an inability to keep anything down
• Fever, with a temperature higher than 101 F (38.3 C)
• Foul vaginal discharge
(Mayo Clinic)
COMPLICATIONS OF UNTREATED PID
The CDC states that left untreated, “about 10-15% of women with chlamydia will develop PID. Chlamydia can also cause fallopian tube infection without any symptoms. PID and “silent” infection in the upper genital tract may cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues, which can lead to infertility.”
“Untreated STDs can lead to serious long-term health consequences, especially for adolescent girls and young women. CDC estimates that undiagnosed and untreated STDs cause at least 24,000 women in the United States each year to become infertile” (Healthy People).
Get help now. Request your free appointment.
You don’t have to wait any longer to connect with a nurse now. Call, text or request an appointment online now. There are no obligations, no judgments, and no expectations. And not only can we help you, but we can help your male partner too. If you test positive, we’ll provide screening and treatment to him as well at no cost.
You are not alone. We are here to help you!
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SOURCES
HealthyPeople.gov. Sexually transmitted infections. https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/sexually-transmitted-diseases
Mayo Clinic. Pelvic inflammatory disease. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
World Health Organization. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis)#:~:text=Each%20year%20there%20are%20an,(HSV)%20(1)
ADDITIONAL READING FROM EPS
If you think you may be pregnant and have an STI, read more here.
We’ve written about how ways to work towards healthy communication and respect in a relationship, especially when you’re facing tough situations like an unplanned pregnancy. Read more here.
Will having an abortion hurt your relationship? If you are pregnant and considering an abortion, there are things you need to consider, especially when it comes to your relationship. Find out more here.