Can You Get An STD Test On Your Period?

If you are worried that you might have an STD, you need the right information and support to know what to do and how and when to get tested. Unfortunately, a stigma attaches itself to the subject of sexual health, and many people find it difficult to talk openly about STDs. The same applies to periods, and you may be asking: can you get STD tested on your period? 

While STDs can be contracted by both men and women, women’s bodies are different from men’s (for one thing, men don’t have periods), and women, therefore, can be affected differently. 

In this post, we’ll give you the information you need. We’ll discuss STDs that affect your period, what kind of STD tests you can take while you have your period, and can you get an STD from period blood.

Which Kinds of STDs Can Be Tested For?

STDs include a whole range of conditions, all of which can be tested for. They include: 

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Gardnerella Vaginalis
• HIV
• Hepatitis B and C
• Herpes Simplex I/II
• Mycoplasma
• Syphilis
• Ureaplasma
• Trichomonas Vaginalis

The short answer is yes; your period won’t affect the results (except perhaps in the case of a cervical swab test). In fact, it’s okay to get an STD test at any time in your menstrual cycle – there is no STD window period. Even when your period is heavy, it won’t influence the outcome of an STD test. 

What Does STD Testing Involve?

A test for STD is quick, easy, and won’t cause you any pain apart from the needle pinch if blood is drawn. The most common testing is done via a urine or blood sample. However, sometimes a swab test is the preferred method. 

Can You Do an STD Swab Test on Your Period?

An STD test involving a swab from the cervix is sometimes used to test for chlamydia or gonorrhea. From a technical point of view, an STD swab test is possible during your period. However, there is a slight chance that the test will give an inaccurate result and may have to be repeated.

If you are just scheduling a routine gynecological or sexual health test, it may be best to plan the swab test when you don’t have your period. This not only avoids the possibility of false results but also makes the process a little more comfortable for you.

However, if you think you may have an STD, you should not avoid being tested because of your period. If left undiagnosed and therefore untreated, some STDs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause reduced fertility.

Can You Get an STD From Period Blood?

You can catch an STD if you have sex during your period, and, in fact, you are putting yourself more at risk because of changes to your cervix that occur during your menstrual cycle.

When you have your period, your cervix will expand a little, so your body can more easily shed egg cells and pass menstrual blood. During this time, your uterus becomes more exposed to bacteria and infectious diseases and can, therefore, contract an STD more easily. In addition, your pH levels fluctuate, so your protective bacteria are not as strong. STDs are spread through bodily fluids, so the period blood can serve as a bridge that bacteria and infection can cross. 

What Happens to Your Period When You Have an STD?

There are some STDs that affect your period. If not detected and treated, an STD can make troublesome period symptoms more likely, including cramps and headaches. It’s also the case that an increase in bothersome period symptoms could possibly indicate an untreated STD.

Another common side effect that an STD can have on your period is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause bleeding between periods and long-term harm to your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Over the long term, PID can also result in:

• Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy in a fallopian tube).
• Infertility (inability to conceive a child).
• Chronic pelvic pain.

If not treated effectively with the right antibiotics, PID can invade the bloodstream and become seriously life-threatening. 

STDs and You: Final Thoughts

If you are sexually active, you should get a regular gynecological exam that includes STD testing. This way, you are sure of maintaining your sexual health and avoiding more serious medical issues arising from a late diagnosis of an STD. 

You can also get tested for an STD in complete privacy by purchasing an STD lab test order from STDCheck.com. After your purchase, you will be connected to a private lab (such as Quest) in or close to your zip code. Your family, friends, employer, or health insurer will not know – nothing is placed on your medical records or reported to your insurance provider. STDCheck.com is here to help you, so don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.