So, about getting an STI test during your period…
Alright, let’s talk about something a bit personal but super important. The question came up for me a while back: can I get STI tested on my period? And let me tell you, my mind went into a bit of a spin. You know how it is, you schedule something, and then bam, nature calls at the most “inconvenient” time. Classic, right?
I remember thinking, “Oh great, now I have to reschedule everything, this is going to be a pain.” I was already a bit antsy about getting tested, you know, just the usual nerves, and this just added another layer of “ugh” to it all.
But I figured, what the heck, let me just go ahead and see. I’d already booked the appointment, and frankly, I just wanted to get it over with. So, I went. Showed up, period and all. I was half expecting them to say, “Nope, come back another time,” but they were surprisingly chill about it.
Turns out, for most tests, it’s really not a big deal. They explained that for stuff like blood tests, well, obviously your period doesn’t matter one bit. Makes sense. Then for the urine test, they said it’s generally fine too. I just made sure, you know, to give as “clean” a sample as I could, if you catch my drift. They didn’t seem fussed.
The one I was a bit more worried about was the swab test. I mean, it’s a bit more direct, right? I specifically asked about this. The nurse told me that even with menstrual blood, those super sensitive DNA tests for things like Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea are usually pretty accurate. She did mention that sometimes, very rarely, a swab might need to be redone, but often it’s for reasons totally unrelated to your period. So, I went ahead with it.
- Blood test? No problem.
- Urine sample? Handled it.
- Swab? They said it’s generally okay.
And you know what? Everything came back clear, no issues with the samples. It was such a relief. It reminded me of how you can take a pregnancy test even if you’re spotting or think you’re on your period. The blood in the urine doesn’t mess with the pregnancy test results. Though, let’s be real, having your period is usually a pretty good sign you’re not pregnant, but hey, bodies are weird!
My big takeaway? Don’t let your period stop you from taking care of your health. If you’re due for an STI test, or you’re worried about something, just go. Talk to the clinic or the doctor. They’ve seen it all, trust me. It’s way better to get tested and have peace of mind, or get treatment if you need it, than to put it off because Aunt Flo decided to visit.
It’s funny, I was so worked up about it, and in the end, it was just another appointment. Sometimes we overthink these things. Just get it done, period or no period. Your health is what matters.
