Who Should Be Tested for STDs and How Often?
Oct 09, 2025
You might think that being in a committed relationship with one partner or vigilantly using protection during sex means you can skip sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing. The reality is, testing is by far the best way to protect yourself from STDs regardless of your relationship status.
Everyone benefits from routine STD testing, but how often do you actually need it — and do you need to get tested for everything? At Tru Medical Management in the Navy Hill and Williamsburg neighborhoods of Brooklyn, New York, our board-certified physicians provide comprehensive STD testing in a comfortable, confidential environment.
We offer personalized testing recommendations based on your individual risk factors, sexual history, and lifestyle to ensure you receive the most appropriate screening for your needs. Here’s what you need to know about common STDs and our screening recommendations:
Yes, regular STD testing is an important part of maintaining your overall health, regardless of your relationship status or sexual activity level. Many people assume they don’t need testing if they’re in a monogamous relationship, but there are several important reasons why routine screening benefits everyone:
Many STDs show no symptoms, especially in their early stages. You or your partner could have an infection without knowing it, which means it can go untreated and potentially cause serious health complications in the future.
Even if you’re currently monogamous, you or your partner may have been exposed to an STD in a previous relationship. Some infections can remain dormant for months or even years before symptoms appear.
Even though barrier methods like condoms significantly reduce STD transmission risk, they don’t eliminate it entirely. Some infections spread through skin-to-skin contact in areas not covered by protection.
Regular testing removes uncertainty and allows you to make informed decisions about your health and sexual wellness. It also demonstrates care and responsibility toward your partner.
When you catch STDs early, they’re typically much easier to treat and less likely to cause long-term health problems.
Medical organizations have done the research and created clear guidelines based on your age, how sexually active you are, and your individual risk factors. We use these recommendations to help figure out what makes sense for you specifically.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and major medical organizations offer clear guidelines based on age, risk factors, and sexual activity. This guidance isn’t black and white, but it gives us a solid foundation to work from when creating your personalized testing plan.
Everyone ages 13 to 64 years should be tested at least once for HIV. From there, how often you need testing depends on your personal situation.
If you’re a sexually active woman under 25, we usually suggest getting tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea every year. Women 25 years and older with risk factors should also be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year. Those risk factors include things like having new partners, multiple partners, or being with someone who has an STD.
Sometimes we recommend testing every three to six months instead of annually. Sexually active men who have sex with men should be tested for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea at least once a year. Those with multiple or anonymous partners may need more frequent testing.
Depending on what you’re comfortable sharing with us about your sexual practices, you might need testing in places outside of the typical genital areas. If you have oral or anal sex, throat and rectal testing might make sense for you.
Pregnant women should be tested for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C starting early in pregnancy. We may suggest additional tests depending on your specific situation.
These guidelines give us a great starting point, but when you come in, we’ll have a one-on-one conversation about what testing schedule makes the most sense for your life and circumstances.
Our team strives to build an environment where you feel safe and comfortable undergoing STD testing without judgement. Whether you need routine annual screening or more frequent testing based on your risk factors, we're here to provide confidential, comprehensive care that fits your needs.
Contact our offices in the Navy Hill and Williamsburg neighborhoods of Brooklyn by phone, or schedule a consultation online.