Peace of mind for two #ISaidYes
For some people, making it official means sharing a couple’s pic on Instagram. But it can also mean getting tested for STBBIs together. Because, deep down, caring for your sexual health and that of your partner is a way of showing your commitment.
It can be tempting to stop using protection before getting tested. But, because many STBBIs don’t show symptoms, you could have one without knowing. Of course, no one likes to thing it could happen to them, but infidelity happens!
That’s why even if you’re in an exclusive relationship, getting tested regularly is an excellent habit to get into.
To learn more about why you should get tested, even if you’re monogamous, give this article a read.
Tip #1
Make a date out of it
Get tested together! It’s a sign of maturity, love, and respect for you and your partner.
Why not make it into a romantic outing? After you get tested, grab a coffee, go for some ice cream, or catch a movie.
Tip #2
Don’t be fooled by false negatives
There are several reasons why someone might (mistakenly) believe they don’t have an STBBI.
First, because of what’s known as the “window period”: the time between exposure to an STBBI and when it can be detected by a test - about 14 days for chlamydia and gonorrhea, and up to 12 weeks for syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Getting tested too early could lead to a false negative.
Also, some STBBIs, like herpes, aren’t included with routine testing and can take years before showing any symptoms.
So even if you’re in a trusting, exclusive relationship, routinely getting tested once a year is a great habit to keep up!
