Complete STD Test for Women

For the Complete STD Test for Women we analyze:

HIV

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is a blood-borne virus that can be transmitted through unprotected anal or vaginal sex and sharing HIV contaminated syringes. HIV weakens the immune system by destroying important cells that fight disease and infection. There are varying symptoms of HIV depending upon the stage of disease. Most people with acute infection experience a short flu-like illness. After initial symptoms disappear, there is often a long, silent period of HIV infection before the disease progresses to AIDS. There is no cure to HIV, but early diagnosis allows for treatment with medication that can help to suppress levels of virus.

Hepatitis C Virus

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). HCV is more commonly transmitted through needles or blood exposure and only rarely spread through sexual intercourse. The infection is usually asymptomatic. When symptoms do occur, they can include fatigue, nausea, muscle aches or jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). For some people, Hepatitis C is a short-term illness but for 70%-85% of people who become infected, Hepatitis C becomes a long-term, chronic infection. Chronic Hepatitis C is a serious disease that can result in long-term health problems, even death. 

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) is a virus that is responsible for genital herpes. Symptoms of HSV-2 typically appear as blistering sores, on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth that break and leave painful ulcers. Infection with HSV-2 is lifelong and the sores may recur periodically during times of emotional stress or illness. Although there is no cure for genital herpes, severe episodes can be lessened and prevented with treatment.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a highly contagious bacterial infection by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Syphilis is transmitted through sexual contact. The symptoms are related to the stage of the infection. Typically, the first sign of infection is a small, painless sore (called chancre) on the penis, vagina, or around the anus. Treponema pallidum eventually enters the bloodstream and causes rashes anywhere on the body and flu-like symptoms. If not treated, syphilis may progress to the symptom-less latent phase and may damage heart, brain and nervous system. Therefore, early treatment is important, as damage caused by late-stage syphilis infection is often irreversible.

Chlamydia 

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia can be transmitted through sexual contact and generally shows no symptoms. Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States, with about 4 million new cases diagnosed every year. It can cause serious, permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system. This can make it difficult or impossible for a woman to get pregnant later on. Chlamydia can also cause a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb). 

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is transmitted through sexual contact and is most commonly asymptomatic in women. Gonorrhea can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, and throat. If not treated, gonorrhea is associated with complications that may result in infertility. There is a high prevalence of co-infection with chlamydia and an increased susceptibility to HIV.  

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis is transmitted through sexual contact. Women who are infected are more likely to develop symptoms than men. Symptoms usually include a foul-smelling discharge, genital itching and pain during urination or sexual intercourse. Complications are rare, although trichomoniasis in pregnancy can be linked to pre-labor rupture of membranes, preterm delivery and low birth weight. Untreated trichomoniasis can increase the risk of HIV infection.

HPV 

HPV is caused by human papillomavirus, a DNA virus from the papillomavirus family. HPV is the most commonly diagnosed STD worldwide. It is transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact and can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms. In most cases HPV goes away on its own and does not cause major health problems. Most HPV infections are self-limited. They may cause genital warts that can be treated with various medications and are without long-term health consequences. However, there are "high risk" virus types of HPV that increase the risk of cancer. About 10% of women with HPV type 16 or 18 will develop long-lasting HPV infections that put them at risk for cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancer. 

Mycoplasma

Two species of Mycoplasma have been proven to have a connection to STDs: Mycoplasma hominis and Mycoplasma genitalium. Mycoplasma hominis is the most frequently isolated Mycoplasma species from the human genital tract. Genital infections in women are more frequent than in men. Although the majority of individuals do not develop any disease, Mycoplasma hominis has been linked to pelvic inflammatory disease and is responsible for infections related to pregnancy. Mycoplasma genitalium is a bacterium found in the urinary tract and can cause abnormal discharge, pain during sex, abdominal discomfort and a burning pain in the genitals. Among men and women, many Mycoplasma genitalium infections are without symptoms at all. If symptoms do appear, they are nonspecific and easily mistaken for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Existing data on infection in women are limited and inconsistent but suggest that Mycoplasma genitalium can lead to infertility, if left untreated.

Ureaplasma

Two species of Ureaplasma have been proven to have a connection to STDs: Ureaplasma urealyticum and Ureaplasma palvum. Ureaplasma urealyticum is a bacterium that infects the urogenital tract. If symptoms occur, they are easily mistaken for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Colonization of lower genital tract by Ureaplasma urealyticum has been evaluated as a cause of infertility and is also associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Ureaplasma parvum does not seem to cause symptoms in females, but their role in the female urogenital tract remains unknown and is still being researched.

• - burning sensation when urinating

• - increased vaginal discharge

• - vaginal bleeding between periods

• - white, yellow, or green discharge

• - fever

• - fatigue and headache

• - swollen lymph nodes

• - skin rash

• - joint and muscle pain

• - night sweats

• - dark urine

• - clay-colored stool

• - abdominal pain

• - loss of appetite

• - nausea

• - vomiting

• - jaundice

• - swollen glands

• - muscle aches

• - sore throat

Vaginal Swab

Please note the following guidelines regarding the vaginal swab – the correct collection is important for achieving unaltered laboratory results! If you are having your period, please wait until after your period stops. If the soft tip is touched, the swab is dropped, the contents of the tube are spilled request a new Swab Specimen Collection Kit.

Safety Precaution

The collection tube media can cause irritation if contacted with skin or other body parts. Handle the collection tube carefully. Do NOT pre-wet collection swab with the collection media. If the contents of the tube are spilled on your skin, wash the affected area with soap and water. Immediatly notify your healthcare provider. Keep out of the reach of children.

During the sample collection 

1. Wash hands with soap and water. Sit with your legs apart, or stand with one leg up on the toilet or the edge of the tub. 

2. Hold the swab in one hand and with the other separate the folds of skin around the vagina opening.

3. Insert the swab about 2 inches into the vagina opening. Gently rotate the swab for 30 seconds to ensure adequate sampling. 

4. Make sure the swab touches the walls of the vagina. Withdraw swab carefully without touching the skin.

5. While holding the swab in the same hand remove the cap from the tube. Do not spill the contents of the tube.

6. Do not touch the swab to any surface before placing it into the collection tube.

7. Place the swab into the transport tube, lowering the swab until the line on the swab is the same level as the tube rim.

8. Carefully break the swab shaft at the score line against the side of the tube. Tightly screw the cap onto the tube.

9. Place tube into biohazard bag with the absorbend pad. Ensure biohazard bag is properly sealed.

10. For shipping, place everything together with the sample dispatch note in the grey plastic envelope.

Blood Spot

Please note the following guidelines regarding the blood collection – the correct collection is important for achieving unaltered laboratory results! Do not forget to label your blood collection card! Hydration promotes blood flow. Be sure you are not dehydrated when performing collection. Do not perform collection immediately after smoking. Keep blood card and hands below your heart during collection for best blood flow.

Safety Precaution

Keep this kit out of the reach of children. Do not use without the presence of another person if you have problems with seeing blood. Do not use without consulting your doctor or practitioner if you have a history of congenital or acquired blood-clotting disorder or if you use certain anticoagulant treatment.

During the sample collection 

1. Wash your hands with warm water for at least 30 sec, then shake hands vigorously for 15 sec towards the floor. 

2. Clean fingertip of the middle or ring finger your non-dominant hand with alcohol pad.

3. Take the single use lancet and twist off the cap. 

4. Place your hand on a solid surface and press the lancet firmly into the side of your fingertip, until the needle ejects with a click.

5. As blood drop is ready to fall, touch the drop to the center of the circle – without touching the blood collection paper with your finger.

6. Fill each circle on the blood collection paper completely. 

7. More than one drop of blood will be required to fill each circle. Blood should soak all the way through each circle of the paper. It is okay for blood to extend a little beyond lines.

8. Allow blood card to air for at least 10 minutes. Do not heat or blow dry! 

9. Place blood card into biohazard bag with the desicant pack. Ensure biohazard bag is properly sealed. 

10. For shipping, place everything together with the sample dispatch note in the grey plastic envelope.

Questions about the order

• Which test should I order?
• Can I also order by phone?
• How long does it take for my order to arrive?
• I have not received an order confirmation.
• My package did not arrive or my order was not completely delivered.
• I want to cancel my order.

Questions about sample submission & findings

• How long will it take to receive my findings?
• How do I get my findings?
• Can I get advice for my test result? Can you tell me what remedy to take?
• I forgot to put the sample dispatch note in the package when sending the sample back.
• I take medication. Can this affect the outcome?

Questions about STD testing

• Why should I get tested?
• How frequently shoud I get tested?
• Can I get the same STD multiple times?

• Who will have access to my results?
• If I test positive for an STD, what should I do?
• Is the shipping and packaging discreet?

Which test should I order?

To find the right test for you, click through our additional product information covered in the categories <Details>, <Symptoms> and <Test includes>. You can also call us at (703) 722 6067 (08:00am - 11:30am EST) or write an email to contact@verisana.com.

Can I also order by phone?

Yes. Please call us at (703) 722 6067 (08:00am - 11:30am EST). The payment in this case is only possible via Paypal. We take your order and you will receive the payment request by mail.

How long does it take for my order to arrive?

We process orders on a daily basis (apart from weekends and public holidays). You have the possibility to choose between two shipping options: free standard shipping and two day shipping.

The standard shipping option is for free and you will receive your order in 5-7 days. The two day shipping option is only for free when your purchase amount is higher than 100 $, if this is not the case you will have to pay an additional amount of 5 $. Regardless of the purchase amount you will receive your order in 2 days if you have chosen the two day shipping option.

I have not received an order confirmation.

Please contact us to check if your order was registered. We will gladly send you the confirmation again.

My package did not arrive or my order was not completely delivered.

Please contact our customer service team at (703) 722 6067 (08:00am - 11:30am EST) or write an email to contact@verisana.com.

I want to cancel my order. 

The withdrawal period from the purchase of all our items is 2 weeks from the receipt of the goods. Please inform us via mail about the desired cancellation and note the following information:  Laboratory analyzes can only be canceled if the analysis has not yet been carried out. 

How long will it take to receive my findings?

From the day the sample arrives in our laboratory, it takes:

- saliva tests 2 weeks 
- stool tests 2-3 weeks
- STD tests 3-4 weeks 

until the findings are completed.

If you have not received your report after this deadline, please contact us. Please understand that we can not speed up the processing of your sample.

How do I get my findings?

You will receive your findings via mail.

Can I get advice for my test result? Can you tell me what remedy to take?

For legal reasons, our findings do not include individualized therapy recommendations. 

If you have any questions regarding the understanding of your findings, please contact our laboratory team.

I forgot to put the sample dispatch note in the package when sending the sample back.

Please send us the completed and signed dispatch note, preferably by mail to contact@verisana.com. Unfortunately, we can not complete your sample without a dispatch note.

I take medication. Can this affect the outcome?

That depends on the test you want to carry out and the medications you are taking. In case of doubt, please ask your doctor regarding the areas that are influenced by the medication prescribed by him and do not stop taking your medication without consulting him.

Why should I get tested?

If you are sexually active, it is recommended to get tested at minimum once a year for your own and your partner’s safety and sexual health. Every year in the United States, there are around 19.7 million new STD infections. Without knowing it, many people can have an STD without experiencing symptoms.

Getting tested regularly helps to prevent infection that could harm you if left undiagnosed and untreated. Preventing the spread of STDs is everybody’s responsibility and knowing your status is a way to do your part while also keeping yourself healthy.

How frequently shoud I get tested?

Anyone who is sexually active should get tested for STDs on a regular basis. The frequency of testing is dependent on how active you are and if you are currently outside of a monogamous relationship. The CDC recommends testing every 3-12 months depending on risk category. A yearly STD test is the minimum responsible frequency and testing should be done more if you engage in unprotected sex with a new partner.

Can I get the same STD multiple times?

Even if you have had an STD before, you are not immune. Bacterial STDs can be treated and cured, but can be contracted again upon exposure. Most viral STDs are incurable and will stay in your system for life. However, they can be controlled with proper medication and treatment.

Who will have access to my results?

We take customer privacy very seriously. Only you will have access to your results and we will not share your results with any third party. All samples are disposed of following analysis.

If I test positive for an STD, what should I do?

After you get tested, it’s important for you to find out the result of your test so that you can talk to a doctor about treatment options if one or several of the tested STDs were detected. For bacterial STDs (e.g. Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis) you will want to begin a doctor-prescribed treatment immediately. For viral STDs (e.g. HIV) you will want to figure out with your doctor how to best manage the infection along with its associated symptoms. With proper care and management of the infection, you can still enjoy a long and sexual life. 

Is the shipping and packaging discreet?

We understand the importance of being able to test yourself for STDs in the privacy of your own home. Thus, the package you receive will have no identifiable information or visuals.

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