What are the most common stds?
The following are the STDs you should get tested for annually, especially if you are starting a new relationship: • Chlamydia. Chlamydia often presents as nondescript pain in the lower abdomen or irritation inside the vagina, but many cases are completely without symptoms. This is the easiest STD to cure, but it can have serious consequences-Pelvic Inflammatory Disease-if left untreated. A swab of the cervix is all that’s required for a test, so make sure you get tested during each pelvic exam. • Gonorrhea. The tricky part about gonorrhea is that it is often asymptomatic, meaning you might not have any symptoms until a case of gonorrhea has advanced to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, which if left untreated can result in infertility. The test used to detect gonorrhea is a simple swap of the cervix; this is painless, quick and easy. • HPV (Human Papillomavirus). HPV is perhaps the most prevalent STD, and yet it has one of the most serious potential consequences: cervical cancer. The test f
