Thanks for your question. For anyone who has ever had sex it’s important to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) regularly.

Where to Get Tested

• You can get tested for STDs at your health care providers office.
• If you are in the United States, here’s a website that can help you find STI testing near you:
  https://gettested.cdc.gov/

How Testing is Done for STDs

• Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: For guys this is usually done by taking a sample of urine, which basically means you pee into a cup and they test the urine. It is important test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea at all sites of sexual contact. So, if you have oral sex, you should also get a throat swab. This test is like the test for Strep throat. If you have anal sex, you should also get a rectal/anal swab. This swab can be done by you or by the health care provider.
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Syphilis, Hepatitis C: There are blood tests to check for HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis C.
• Herpes Simplex Virus: This testing is usually done by taking a swab of a vesicle (a small fluid filled cyst) or ulcer on your skin/genitals. Sometimes blood tests are used to check for Herpes.