Getting an STD Test? Cover Your Bases With Three-Site Testing

published on March 28, 2018 by Stephen Hicks, in The Body

Sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention is HIV prevention, but the inverse doesn't necessarily hold true, and we must clear up any lingering confusion about that.

Three-site STD testing, also known as extragenital testing, entails appropriate screening of the throat, penis, and rectum. Simply put, wherever you sex it is where you should test it. This applies to oral and anal sex. You know better than anyone else what kind of sex you're having, and some doctors may not ask specific questions about it. This could be a helpful guide:

If your penis has been in someone's butt, throat, or vagina, then you should pee in a cup.
If someone's penis has been in your vagina, you should pee in a cup.
If another person's penis has been in your mouth, then you should get your throat swabbed.
If someone's penis has been in your butt, then you should get your butt swabbed.

Three-site STD testing should be a routine part of your sexual health care. Considering that most STDs do not have obvious symptoms, a test every three to six months is recommended (every three months if on PrEP). Providers should perform a thorough sexual history, including discussion of the 5Ps: partners, prevention of pregnancy, protection, practices, and past history of STDs. Of course, this needs to be done in an affirming, sex-positive, non-judgmental manner. It's understandable and well known that many people may feel uncomfortable talking with their doctors about their sex lives.

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BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

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Getting an STD Test? Cover Your Bases With Three-Site Testing

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