Can You Take an STI Test During Your Period? What You Need to Know

As a sexually active woman having your period, you may have found yourself wondering, “Can I take an STI test during my period?” If you suspect that you might have an STD or STI, you’ll want to get tested as quickly as possible. Still, if you’re a woman who menstruates, you may have concerns about getting tested while on your period. 

Rapid STD Testing is here to answer your questions and discuss exactly what you need to know about getting tested for STIs or STDs during your period. Sexual health should be a shame-free zone, and we’re here to help.

STD Tests That Require Blood or Urine

Chlamydia

Many people may not experience any symptoms with chlamydia, making it one of the most common STIs, as you can pass it on without realizing it. Symptoms that can occur when you have chlamydia include unusual discharge and pain during sex or urination. You may also notice excess bleeding after sex or between periods. 

Chlamydia typically spreads among young people during unprotected sex, and you can transmit it vaginally, anally, or orally. Doctors treat this STI with antibiotics, especially if you catch it early. However, chlamydia can lead to severe medical conditions such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and infertility if left untreated.

Gonorrhea

Another STI for which you may not show symptoms is gonorrhea. You can contract gonorrhea through unprotected sex and transmit it vaginally, anally, or orally. Typical symptoms of gonorrhea include strange discharge, abdominal pain, and a burning or tingling sensation while urinating. 

Gonorrhea infections generally appear in the urethra, rectum, throat, or cervix. If gonorrhea spreads, it can also affect your joints, and you may experience inflammation and pain in these areas. You may be at higher risk for HIV/AIDS and loss of fertility if you fail to treat a gonorrhea infection.

Hepatitis

At Rapid STD Testing, we can test for both hepatitis B and C using blood or urine. Hepatitis is a viral infection that can cause severe damage to your liver. Hepatitis can have lifelong effects on your body. If you have multiple sexual partners or are in a non-monogamous relationship, you may want to test regularly.

Symptoms from hepatitis can include loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, extreme exhaustion, discolored urine or stool, and jaundice. Hepatitis can be short-term or long-term. In short-term cases, you’ll receive treatments for your specific symptoms. For long-term treatment, your doctor will typically prescribe antiviral medication.

Herpes

Herpes is another STD that is very easy to pass from person to person during sexual intercourse. In this case, herpes spreads via skin-to-skin contact with an open sore. Once you have contracted herpes, you will have the virus forever, with sporadic outbreaks. 

These outbreaks appear as small red bumps that typically pop and leave open sores in their wake. Herpes can also occur on your face like a cold sore. You may notice pain, redness, or itching around herpes sores. 

Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications to treat herpes outbreaks.

HIV

HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a dangerous STD that compromises your immune system, making it difficult for your body to handle any infection. Generally, HIV transmits vaginally or anally or through the bloodstream. Currently, no cure for HIV exists, and infected individuals will have the disease forever. However, doctors can prescribe medications to manage the effects of HIV.

Early symptoms of an HIV infection include fever and chills, aches and pains, exhaustion, muscle aches, night sweats, and rashes. If you suspect you might have contracted HIV, you should get tested relatively soon. The window period for HIV ranges from 10 to 90 days, and rapid STD Testing offers same-day STD testing. 

If you leave HIV untreated, you could develop AIDS. AIDS is life-threatening, and the symptoms include sudden weight loss, extreme exhaustion, prolonged diarrhea, lymph node swelling, pneumonia, memory loss, and depression.

Syphilis

Another STI that spreads quickly because of the mildness of its symptoms is syphilis. Syphilis often presents as painless blisters in the genital area and rashes across the body. Though the symptoms are mild, untreated syphilis can be severely detrimental to your health. If you suspect that you experienced exposure to syphilis, you should get tested between one and three weeks afterward.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a parasitic infection that individuals can pass on during unprotected sex. Symptoms for trichomoniasis include painful urination, discharge with a strong odor, redness, pain or itching in the genital area, and pain during sexual intercourse. The window period for this kind of infection can range from four to 28 days. To diagnose trichomoniasis, you will likely have to take a sample test.

Can You Get an STI Test During Your Period?

Yes, you can take an STD or STI test while on your period. We can scan for each of the STIs and STDs listed above using a sample of blood or urine, neither of which your period would disrupt. Our doctors take your blood sample from your arm.  

We only associate concerns about taking an STI or STD test while on your period with vaginal swab tests. You can do these tests in person or at home, and doctors generally recommend that you wait 1-2 days after your period for a swab test. 

Rapid STD Testing is happy to provide alternate STD testing methods, so you can feel comfortable getting tested any time of the month. Swab tests while on your period can give unclear results, which is why we rely on urine and blood tests for the most accurate (and the most comfortable) results. 

For all vaginal exams, doctors typically recommend waiting until after your period is over. However, for STI tests that use blood and urine samples like ours do, you should be able to get tested regardless of your cycle. 

Having your period can be embarrassing, but you should never feel as though you have to avoid getting tested because of it. Catching certain STIs early on can save your life. 

At Rapid STD Testing, we make it easy to test for any sexually transmitted infections or diseases. Simply order your test online, then visit one of our 4,000 testing centers and get your test results in 1-3 business days.

Effects of STDs on Your Period

While you shouldn’t worry about getting tested during your period, it’s a good idea to note any changes in your period that could be a result of an STI or STD. Untreated STIs can worsen the symptoms typically associated with your period, including migraines, muscle pains, cramping, and depression. If you notice a worsening of your period symptoms, it may be a good idea to get tested. 

Untreated STIs and STDs can also cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can result in chronic pain and infertility. PID can also cause bleeding in between periods and pregnancy complications. Your doctor can treat this condition with antibiotics. Still, it’s crucial to catch it early through testing to avoid PID worsening to life-threatening levels.

How to Prepare for STD Testing During Your Period

At Rapid STD Testing, we believe in taking the fear and frustration out of getting tested for STIs and STDs. Our tests are quick, and our doctors are friendly and straightforward about your sexual health. We encourage openness and honesty without shame so that your doctor can get your results quickly and effectively. 

Once you’ve ordered a test with Rapid STD Testing, you’ll receive a code in your inbox, which you can bring to any of our locations to get started. Our tests only take about 10 to 15 minutes, and you’ll see your results in 1 to 3 business days. If you receive a negative STD test, but you still have concerns, you may have taken the test outside of the incubation period for certain STDs. 

Being on your period shouldn’t affect your test results in any way. However, feel free to let your doctor know if you have any concerns about your STI test or your period. If you have unprotected sex, we recommend that you get tested at least once a year or if you experience any of the symptoms associated with STIs.

Order Your Tests Today

Get started with Rapid STD Testing today with one of our packages, from the Rapid STD Basic Panel to our comprehensive ten-panel STD test. We also offer individual tests and the option to build your panel for each STI. Check out our available tests and pricing here.