One unfortunate truth about STD tests is that women seem more willing to get them than men. This might be because many STDs cause symptoms more commonly in women than in men. It could also relate to a common misconception about certain STDs.
Chlamydia, for example, is often thought of as a "women's disease," though it infects both women and men with ease. And research points to plenty of reasons for men to pick up the slack on having STD testing done:
- Men with Chlamydia who don't get treated can re-infect female partners who do get treated (and cured). Re-infection can be avoided if men treat their infections with antibiotics.
- Chlamydia symptoms in men can range from burning during urination and penile discharge to swollen testicles. But many men have no symptoms at all when they’re infected with Chlamydia. That's why so few go in for Chlamydia tests even when their partners have been infected.
- Untreated Chlamydia can cause infertility in women and, less commonly, in men. But even if it doesn't make them sterile, Chlamydia can cause infections in men's reproductive organs.
- Chlamydia is one of the most common STDs in the United States: about 2.8 million new infections occur each year. Many of those are thought to be re-infections (that is, infections of someone who has been treated for the disease in the past.
How Often Is STD Testing Needed for Men?
The rules for STD testing don't vary much by gender: according to the CDC, sexually active adults should get screened for STDs before every new sexual partner. And getting proper treatment is just as important as getting tested.
Chlamydia is easy to treat with antibiotics, but not taking the full course of medicine can lead to a recurrence of the infection and increase the chances of infecting a partner.
