Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Screenings

Know about it because it affects more than you know. Women’s health care screenings can help you.

All females need to be aware on how to detect and treat this infection. 

Did you know chlamydia and gonorrhea are bacterial infections that are spread through sexual contact. They are common, particularly among young sexually active people. Symptoms could include pelvic pain or vaginal discharge; or there may be no symptoms at all. Untreated infections are spread and may cause irreversible damage, along with causing complications in pregnancy health. This is an infection easily detected from a urinalysis, PAP or swab sample. It also can be cured with prescribed antibiotics. 

The Centers for Disease Control chlamydia and gonorrhea screening guidelines are as follows:

• Sexually active women under age 25 (annual screenings)
• Women age 25 and older at increased risk
• Women with symptoms of cervicitis
• All pregnant women should be treated during their first trimesters then if positive would need to tested again in their third trimester
• Women and men who test positive should be retested at 3 months

Based on how common these infections are, it is part of The Center for Women’s universal women’s health care screening strategy to automatically perform these screening tests for all patients as recommended by CDC guidelines.

In many cases, women’s health care screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea is a covered benefit under the Affordable Care Act. If covered, this would mean no co-pay, no deductible or no out-of-pocket cost to you.

If you test positive, it is important to discuss your test results with your partner as they may need to seek treatment as well. It is also just as important to be re-tested in three months because re-infection is common, even after treatment. Both gynecology and obstetrics care are affected by this infection, therefore follow-up is always necessary.

If you test negative, GREAT NEWS! It is important to schedule a woman health care exam every year and you can be tested during this exam. Woman health care exam is more than just PAP; it’s an opportunity for your healthcare provider to examine your overall health.

To learn more, schedule an appointment at The Center for Women, in Mountain Home, AR.  Contact them online, or call (870) 425-7300.