Testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is compulsory to preserve sexual health. However, there are specific actions you should bypass before an STD test to secure accurate results and a smooth testing process. After reading this, you will learn what not to do before an STD test and get some essential information and guidelines to follow.
Before starting what you should bypass before an STD test, let’s study what an STD test is. An STD test (sexually transmitted disease) is a medical examination that inspects the existence of sexually transmitted infections or conditions in a person’s body. Knowing your STD status can aid you in taking steps to control transmitting the infection to your sexual partners. Healthcare professionals perform these tests and can entangle multifarious methods or techniques such as blood tests, urine tests, swabs, or physical examinations.
Pre-test precautions
Before going for an STD test, here are some crucial precautions
● Avoid having sex.
When you engage in sexual activity, you may get exposed to various pathogens or bacteria that can provoke sexually transmitted infections. These infections take some time to set in your body before they can be detected through testing. If you have sex before a test, you might get new conditions or elevate the levels of existing ones. This can usher in negative results, and the test might not detect an infection that’s present.
● Avoid using vaginal products.
Such as douches, creams, and suppositories can change the natural microbial balance in the vaginal area. These changes can disrupt the composition of the vaginal secretions and affect the test samples collected during an STD test. It might dilute or wash away the organisms or markers the test tries to catch. When the composition of vaginal secretions is changed by using these products, it can usher in false or negative results. False negatives arise when an STD test fails to detect an infection that is present.
● Skip bath
The timing of bathing is compulsory. If you bathe too close to the test, it can significantly impact the results. Bathing can wash away or cut substances on the skin and genital area. Many STD tests are conducted by collecting samples from the genital area through swabs or urine samples. If you take a bath before the test, you might withdraw some bodily fluids or secretions that the test counts on for accurate detection. This can usher in false or negative results.
● Don’t urinate before the test.
The timing of urination is crucial. For some STD tests, healthcare providers suggest collecting the sample of the first urine of the day and urinating right before the test can usher to sample dilution. This can diminish the concentration of any pathogens or markers of infection that the test is devised to detect. STD tests that employ urine samples often depend on the existence of specific microorganisms or markers linked with the infection. If you urinate just before the test, you might eliminate some of these microorganisms from your urinary tract, making it more challenging for the test to detect them.
● Avoid alcohol.
Some STD tests mandate a blood sample to detect specific antibodies or infection markers. Alcohol can affect your blood chemistry, mainly if consumed in quantity. This can impact the concentration of specific markers in your blood, ushering in inaccurate results. Excessive alcohol consumption can also weaken the immune system, making it less effective at responding to infections. If your immune system is compromised due to alcohol use, it could impact the accuracy of the test results.
● Avoid caffeine and spicy food.
Caffeine in coffee or tea and some soft drinks can increase urination frequency. Spicy foods can also upset the urinary tract in some people, potentially ushering to more frequent urination. If you consume caffeine or spicy foods shortly before an STD test, you might go for urination more frequently. This could be problematic if you provide a urine sample for testing, as collecting an adequate example may save time.
To end, getting ready for an STD test entangles a few essential steps to secure the most accurate and reliable results. Avoiding sexual activity, vaginal products, certain foods, and medications before your test are crucial for receiving precise results that can aid your health decisions. Testing gives access to appropriate treatment options if an STD is detected. Most STDs are treatable with medications, but without testing, you may never acquire the necessary care. Remember, the purpose of STD testing is to safeguard your health and the health of your sexual partners. Discover free STD testing options in Portland and protect your health today!
