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STD Testing in Houston, TX

At NorthWest Women’s Center, we understand how personal the topic of sexual wellness is. We also understand how uncomfortable talking about your sexual health and the possibility of having an STD can be.

That’s why we make your privacy our top priority.

STD Testing Specialist

STDs can be easily spread from one person to another, especially in their early stages when symptoms may not be present. Regular STD testing at Northwest Women’s Center in Houston, TX, helps ensure diseases are caught early so women can enjoy better health and prevent continued transmission of infection.

Why You Should Choose NorthWest Women’s Center For STD Testing

In addition to providing you with fast and reliable information and results, we also offer all of our patients the following:

  • Privacy: Your sexual health is your business, no one else’s, so that is why we take the necessary steps to safeguard your medication information. Any and all test results are also kept confidential.
  • Accuracy and Speed: We use state-of-the-art testing methods to accurately make a diagnosis.
  • Supportive Care: Our highly experienced staff dedicate themselves to providing quality care to all of our patients.

The Testing Process

At NorthWest Women’s Center, it all starts with a phone call. You can easily schedule your appointment for STD testing. At your appointment, we offer a private consultation room where you can discuss your concerns with a medical professional prior to testing.

Once your sample is collected, it is discreetly sent off for laboratory analysis. Once your final results are available, we will notify you immediately, so you can take the necessary steps for treatment if needed.

female friends looking back and smiling towards the camera

STD Testing Q & A

STD testing can be performed using different techniques depending on the symptoms. If a routine exam reveals sores or other abnormal areas or a Pap test or HPV test yields abnormal results, testing may be performed using a minimally-invasive exam called a colposcopy that uses a magnifying scope to identify areas of abnormal tissue inside the vaginal canal and on the cervix. These areas can be sampled or biopsied and examined more closely under a microscope to determine if an infection is present. Other times, blood tests or urinalysis may be ordered to test for the presence of specific germs in the blood or urine. At Northwest Women’s Center, we use state-of-the-art testing technology and processes for fast, accurate and confidential results.

Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health recommend all sexually-active people have STD testing performed annually, and every three to six months for those who engage in risky sexual activity. STDs can be difficult to detect, especially in their early stages when they may cause few or no noticeable symptoms. That means not only can an infection progress to a more serious stage that may be more difficult to treat, but it’s also easy to spread disease unknowingly to another person. Being tested for STDs on a regular basis is important for the patient’s own health as well as for the health of the patient’s partners.

Most STDs can be treated and eradicated using medications. The type of medication and the duration of treatment will depend on the type of infection that’s present, how far the disease has progressed and other factors like the patient’s own health. Some STDs like herpes and HIV cannot be cured, but they can be managed with ongoing treatment.

Usually, it takes a few weeks for the germs to reach a level where they can be accurately assessed using blood tests or other testing. Patients who have engaged in risky sex or who simply want to be tested should call the office to inquire about optimal scheduling.

Most people with STDs don’t show any symptoms, so the only way to know if you or your partner has an STD is to get tested. It’s especially important to get tested in you’ve had unprotected sex, or if you find out your partner has an STD. What’s the big deal? If you do have an STD, you want to know as soon as possible, as STDs can cause serious damage over time. Plus, you can spread them unknowingly to other people you have sex with.

Besides, after you get tested at Northwest Women’s Center, you can put your mind at ease. Regular STD testing is just a part of being a responsible person and taking care of yourself...and your partner.

Most results are available in 1-2 business days. A few tests may take an additional day or so.

Sexually transmitted disease (STD) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) are often used interchangeably, but they are different. If you have an STI, you have an infection that hasn’t yet developed into a disease. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a prime example. Many people have HPV but no symptoms. Still, they carry the virus and have an STI. If a woman, for instance, develops cervical cancer from HPV, she now has an STD since cancer is a disease.

If you want to get technical, all STDs start as STIs.

Since the name is “sexually” transmitted disease, you’d think that is the only way to catch a STD. Not true. Yes, sexual intercourse is a common way to contract an STD, but here are some other ways:

  • Kissing – Kissing trades saliva between kisser and kissee. Mono is one that comes to mind, but herpes also transmits this way through cold sores.
  • Oral sex – Many people don’t consider this “real” sex, but oral sex can transmit diseases if the penis, vagina, or anus involved are infected. Genital herpes, chlamydia, and HPV can all spread orally.
  • Contaminated food – Hepatitis A can spread from food prep being done by a person who didn’t wash his or her hands after using the restroom.
  • Skin-to-skin contact – Herpes and HPV can spread through skin contact between people. This is especially true if there is a nick from shaving or the like.
  • Tanning bed – Molluscum contagiosum, a bumpy genital infection, can spread by skin-to-skin contact or from shared contaminated surfaces such as your friendly neighborhood tanning bed.

There are other ways to spread STDs, as well. Just know it’s way more than simply intercourse.

Yes, just because you had one once and treated it doesn’t mean you can’t get it again. You don’t build up immunity to stuff like chlamydia.

Yes indeed. Some STDs actually make you more susceptible to contracting other STDs. That’s why you need to get tested for all STDs, not just one or two.

While condoms do increase your odds of not getting an STD, they are not 100 percent effective in preventing all of them. STDs such as HPV, genital herpes, syphilis, and crabs can all spread even with a condom.

Hear what our patients have to say!

"The staff was very friendly, the assistant was happy and polite. Gave me great instructions. Dr. McGuirk was very gentle during my exam and procedure. He explained everything he was doing. Put me at ease and made sure I was comfortable. I really feel comfortable seeing him." - Rosie M.

"They made me feel so welcome and they were so friendly. EVERYONE in the building had the most positive energy. I’m so grateful to the staff for calming me when I was a complete wreck. Thank you so much." - lacamri T.

"Best experience I’ve ever had at any doctors! The staff was all extremely friendly and I was in and out! Dr. Nwogwugwu has the best bedside manner. She did a great job at describing what was going to be done and making me feel comfortable." - Tiffani K.

Ready to take the Next Step? Contact Us.

If you have questions about STD testing or would like to learn more about our treatment options, call us at 281.444.3440 to schedule a consultation. Northwest Women's Center is proud to serve Houston, TX and the surrounding areas.

Schedule A Consultation

New to our practice and want to schedule an appointment? Contact us by calling our office.

For existing patients, please contact us through the Patient Portal.

What happens in a consultation?

01. Get to know your Northwest Women’s Center physician.

02. Discuss your unique goals and concerns.

03. Receive a personalized procedure plan.

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