- April 20, 2022
The month of April is STI Awareness Month, giving us at METRO another reason to share the many ways we can support your overall health. Today, there are an estimated 20 million new STI (sexually transmitted infection) cases in the U.S. each year. However, through STI awareness and testing, you can protect yourself and others.
Same-Day STI Testing
Get complete STI testing at any METRO health center and rapid STI testing with same-day results at our Seminole Heights and North St. Pete (Gandy area) health centers. – covered by most insurances, Medicare and Medicaid – you can quickly get a reliable update on your sexual health in as little as 90 minutes (or less).
You don’t have to say no to sex. As the American Sexual Health Association has coined it, “yes means test.” If you say yes to sex, then say yes to a test.
In short, STI screening services at METRO include testing for: Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, HIV, and Hepatitis A, B, and C.
Treatment for STIs
We can evaluate new STI symptoms, as well. While the hope for screening is always a clean bill of health, we’re also here to provide support and STI treatment after a positive diagnosis. For example, we offer on-site injectable medications to prescriptions and guided treatment.
Overall, our goal is to provide care for all who need it, while reducing the stigma surrounding STI awareness, testing and treatment.
@metroinclusivehealth Destigmatizing STI testing one day at a time 💅🏽 #stiawareness #lgbtq #trending #sexualhealth #metroinclusivehealth ♬ you belong with me - sia
Maintaining Your Sexual Health
Of course, screening alone isn’t the only step to protecting your sexual health. At METRO, we offer access to PrEP, or pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, in 30 minutes or less. Covered by most insurance plans, PrEP is an extremely effective treatment and can reduce your risk of contracting HIV by 99 percent.
In addition, METRO offers screening and immunization against common viral infections including Hepatitis A and B, TDAP, Pneumococcal and MMR.
5 Steps for Prevention
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) provides five simple steps to help prevent infection and maintain good health while sexually active.
- Use condoms – Most people say they used a condom the first time they ever had sex, but when asked about the last four weeks, less than a quarter said they used a condom every time.
- Have fewer partners – It may be obvious, but by mutually agreeing to be tested, partners can help protect each other.
- Get vaccinated – The most common STI in the country is actually preventable by vaccine. Getting vaccines for HPV and other STIs is highly effective.
- Talk with your partner – While some steps are tangible actions, a significant way to protect yourself and others is just to talk with your partner before sex. It may be uncomfortable to bring up, but protecting your health is a responsibility to be taken seriously.
- Get tested – That’s where we come in! The best thing you can do for your sexual health is to stay informed about it. Regular testing keeps you confident and paves the way for treatment if ever necessary.
In conclusion, if you still have questions, you can always talk to your Primary Care provider, who can offer personalized guidance to support your overall health. Just remember, STI awareness and testing are the first steps to a healthy sexual life, and we make it easy at Metro Inclusive Health.
