Signs you should take a Pregnancy test
Do you think you are expecting a child? There is always a possibility of making a mistake, even with the most successful birth control methods. After all, one sperm is enough to fertilize an egg. It is as simple as taking an over-the-counter (OTC) pregnancy test to see if this has happened. Over-the-counter pregnancy tests (HCG) detect human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in urine. If you are pregnant, HCG is only present. This hormone is released when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus or outside it. To view the results, simply open the test, follow the instructions, and wait the recommended amount of time. Also, you need to know about the signs that tell you to take a pregnancy test.
When can they be taken?
Take a pregnancy test a week after you miss your period for the most accurate result. Wait for one to two weeks after you have had sex if you do not wish to wait for your period to skip. If you are pregnant, it takes time for your body to produce measurable quantities of HCG. Successful egg implantation usually takes seven to twelve days. If you take the test too early in your cycle, you can get an incorrect result. In any case, here are a few signs that you should consider a pregnancy test.
Missed the period
Missing a period is the most typical reason for someone to suspect they are pregnant. However, pregnancy is not the only factor that might lead you to miss a period. Weight gain or loss, hormonal changes, and stress can all cause the same. You will not know you are pregnant unless you have taken a pregnancy test and had it confirmed by a doctor. If it has been more than a week since your last period, you could be pregnant. However, if your menstrual cycle is erratic, this is an unreliable indicator. If you think you might be pregnant, get a pregnancy test right away and schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional.
Nausea
Morning sickness is a topic that most of us are familiar with thanks to movies and mainstream culture. Early on in pregnancy, nausea is a common occurrence, though it is not restricted to a single time of day. An increase in circulating hormones is most likely to blame for nausea in early pregnancy. Also, it can strike at any time of day, though it is more common in the morning. Nausea and vomiting should subside as you enter the second trimester, approximately 13 weeks, although they may reoccur later in the pregnancy. These symptoms are usually harmless to both you and your baby. Whether you cannot keep any food down and you are losing weight, contact your OBGYN, as this can have an impact on your health and the development of your kid.
Spotting or light bleeding
Light vaginal bleeding that occurs 10 to 14 days after fertilization is known as implantation bleeding. Mild spotting, which you may notice in your undergarments, should be the only side effect. Sometimes, minor cramps that are similar to menstrual cramps accompany transplantation bleeding. If the bleeding is significant or the cramping is unbearable, get medical attention. Some women experience white, creamy vaginal discharge in addition to minor bleeding. This is perfectly normal and is the result of enhanced vaginal lining development.
If the bleeding is excessive or the cramping is unbearable, get medical attention. Some women experience white, creamy vaginal discharge in addition to minor bleeding. This is perfectly normal and is the result of enhanced vaginal lining development. The discharge may last throughout the pregnancy. If the discharge smells unpleasant, seek medical advice. A bacterial or yeast infection may require treatment.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a typical early pregnancy symptom. Rising levels of the hormone progesterone create this draining tiredness, which can start as early as the first weeks of pregnancy. Changes in blood pressure, on the other hand, can make you feel tired. If you are experiencing low energy as a result of your pregnancy, schedule more rest time. Allow time for recovery in your social life, and inform coworkers that you may want assistance. You might also discover that increasing your protein and iron intake will give you the boost you need at this point in pregnancy.
Unusual Bathroom Schedule
You might expect some modifications to your typical restroom routine if you’re pregnant in the early stages. As a result of hormonal changes, you may need to schedule more bathroom visits into your day during the first trimester of pregnancy. This is an extremely common symptom. Thus, you should seek medical advice if you suspect your frequent urination is due to something other than pregnancy. You will have more progesterone circulating in your system when you are pregnant. While this is totally natural, constipation is one of progesterone’s undesirable side effects. This is due to the fact that it slows down the flow of food through your digestive system. If you have constipation when pregnant, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and eat a high-fiber diet.
Confirm if you really are pregnant
Many of these signs and symptoms are not specific to pregnancy. Some of them can signal that you are likely to get sick or that your menstruation is about to begin. Likewise, you can be pregnant without having many of these symptoms. Take a home pregnancy test or visit your health care doctor if you miss a period and observe some of the listed signs or symptoms. In the past decade, home pregnancy tests have become more accurate. Make an appointment with your health care provider if your home pregnancy test is positive. The sooner you have confirmation of your pregnancy, the sooner you can start prenatal care. Also read: Is STD testing and treatment covered in your health insurance?
- Published in Pregnancy Testing
What if you left Gonorrhea untreated?
Here are the long-term effects of Gonorrhea.
Gonorrhea is a Sexually Transmitted Disease (an STD) caused by the bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacterium mainly spreads through any kind of sexual contact- vaginal, anal, or oral (usually unprotected). It is one of the most common types of STDs, especially among the younger generation. Like many STDs, Gonorrhea is one that rarely shows symptoms. Therefore, when a person takes an STD test and finds out that they have Gonorrhea, it may come as a shock, something completely unexpected. However, the sad news is that many do not even know they have Gonorrhea. The unawareness can lead to many complications and health disasters, which can potentially be life-threatening.
This blog gives you the various long-term effects that Gonorrhea can cause if left untreated.
How one can catch Gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that can spread through sexual contact, whether anal sex, oral sex, or vaginal sex. The chances of an infected person spreading it to their partner are higher if they have unprotected sex. With oral sex, Gonorrhea can spread from the genitals to the throat. Apart from sexual contact, there is also a possibility of Gonorrhea transferring to a baby. Unfortunately, if a pregnant woman has Gonorrhea, she can pass it down to her newborn at the time of birth. The baby may have to suffer from serious health complications because of the STD.
Another possible (but extremely rare) situation is getting a gonorrheal infection in the eye. This can happen if the eyes come in contact with infected semen or vaginal fluids. If left untreated, Gonorrhea can be damaging to the health of both men and women.
Long term effects in Women
If Gonorrhea is left untreated, the infectious bacteria can cause significant damage to the female reproductive organs. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, more commonly known as PID, is one of the most common diseases that a woman might have to deal with. Gonorrhea-causing bacteria can spread through the entire reproductive tract, causing infections and inflammations. As a result, PID causes abdominal/ pelvic pain and high fever. Moreover, PID can block fallopian tubes, infect the uterus and possibly make a woman infertile (the inability to have children). PID can also increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy (where the fertilized egg grows outside the uterus). Ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening.
Long term effects in Men
Like in women, the bacteria that cause the bacteria travel up the entire male reproductive tract, which causes infections. Gonorrhea can infect the urethra, causing immense pain. Another painful condition, epididymitis, is when the tubes attached to the testicles get infected. Epididymitis can result in high fever, swelling, and pain in the scrotal area. In some cases, untreated Gonorrhea can inhibit the male to father children- in other words, it can cause infertility.
Other complications that affect both men and women
Although it is rare, Gonorrhea can spread through the entire body if not treated on time. The joints in the body may swell up, and the inflammation can cause immense pain. Skin infections may also arise due to the bacteria, which can cause redness and rashes. In some rare cases, the infection may enter the bloodstream too. If the bacteria infect the bloodstream, it can cause disseminated gonococcal infection. All these conditions may be life-threatening if ignored.
Prevention
Many often get confused about whether they have Gonorrhea or if they have a urinary tract infection. The reason for this is that the symptoms for both these diseases are pretty similar. However, testing yourself regularly for an STD significantly reduces the chances of you ignoring them. Therefore, even if you have Gonorrhea, you will get treatment on time, reducing the risks of life-threatening situations. Of course, there are plenty of ways in which you can prevent it- or any STD, for that matter. Having safe, protected sex, wearing condoms the right way, and avoiding having sex with multiple partners are some of the most common yet effective ways of preventing STD.
Get tested today.
Now that you are familiar with the long-term effects of Gonorrhea, your next step should be to get an STD test today. To put you at ease, the test is simple and painless. However, if your test comes out to be positive, do not panic under any circumstances! Instead, you should consult your doctor immediately and talk about the next best steps to treat Gonorrhea. Usually, antibiotics do the trick. Also, make sure that you finish your treatment. Finally, to stay safe, make sure to abstain from sex for at least a week after treatment. By following these steps, you can be sure that you never suffer from the long-term effects of Gonorrhea. Also read: All You need to know about menstrual cups.
- Published in STDs
Is STD testing and treatment covered in your health insurance?
STD and STI depict health conditions that transmit between individuals through sexual activity. The Centers for Disease Control counted about 20 million new STD infections cases every year. Nonetheless, a lot of people put off getting tested as they believe they get STD tests without insurance. Still, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), changed the face of preventative care regarding STD test coverage and insurance. Under the ACA, you can take some STD tests for free, depending on your age, gender, and lifestyle. Even if you do not fit the age standards, the tests will still be free if you meet the “high-risk criteria”. A case of high-risk beings would be sex workers or those who regularly engage in unprotected sex. STI screenings include blood tests, urine tests, and genital swabs. The type of test depends on what the healthcare professional is probing.
How do STD tests work?
STD tests are quick and minimally invasive, checking either blood, urine, or swab tests. Once you give your sample, it instantly undergoes lab testing. The type of sample (blood, urine, swab) you have to give varies on the type of test you are taking. Blood tests are largely accurate and can diagnose syphilis, HIV, herpes, and hepatitis B and C. Generally, it only requires a finger prick or a tiny volume of blood drawn from your arm. The swab test is a bit different, checking a sterilized Q-Tip that is rubbed on the genitals to gather a sample.
STD testing without insurance
Without either private or public health insurance, STD screening at a healthcare provider’s office or medical center can be costly. You may have to pay a healthcare provider visit price in addition to paying for the test itself. In total, prices range from $25 to over $200 depending on the STDs being tested for. Still, numerous public health Centres offer low-cost or potentially free STD screening options for those without insurance. These can include :
- Regional health department STD Hospitals
- Planned Parenthood health centers
- LGBTQ centers
- Family planning Centers
- Institute or university student health centers
- Mobile clinics
Prices can vary depending on factors like what tests you need, your household size, and your income position. They will give you details about their testing charges.
STD testing with insurance
STD screening tests for numerous, coverage does depend on the STD being screened for, in addition to age, coitus, and other factors like pregnancy status. The ACA does bear insurance companies to cover HIV screening for those ages 15 to 65. Those who are younger than 15 or older than 65 are covered as well. Individuals who may show an increased risk of getting STDs include :
- They have unprotected coitus.
- They have multiple or anonymous sexual mates.
- Also, they have tested positive for another STD.
Insurance companies cover syphilis screening for all grown-ups and adolescents who are at increased risk. Screening content for other STDs depends on different factors.
What is the cost of STD testing without insurance?
The charge of an STD test without insurance differs on the type of test. It depends on whether you opt to take the test in a clinic or at home. However, it may bring several hundred dollars without insurance, If you visit a clinic or doctor’s office to take an STD test. Taking an at-home STD test may be a better option if you do not have insurance. Combination test kits are routine asymptomatic testing. However, 24/7 labs help in STD testing without insurance.
What is the cost of STD testing with insurance?
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), some preventative STD screening is free. This includes chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis. You also get HIV screening for women and syphilis and HIV screening for men. However, the out-of-pocket cost will vary with your insurance plan, If your test is not included as a preventative screening or if you are enduring symptoms and visit a doctor or clinic for distinct testing. Some councils will offer a single free test for qualifying cases. Generally, you must show evidence of income and have no insurance to qualify.
Getting checked is convenient.
All insurance plans must cover HIV testing for everyone ages 15 to 65, as well as other ages if you have an advanced threat of getting HIV. These tests are frequently part of your preventative care benefits, so they are free with no copay, coinsurance, or other out-of-fund costs indeed if you have not met your deductible. Other times you may have to pay a copay for some of the costs. Talk to your doctor to find out what STD tests are covered for you, and how much it will cost if you do have to pay for it yourself. However, or if you do not have health insurance, call your regional Planned Parenthood health center to see if they can help you get to care for free or low-cost If you need STD testing or treatment that is not covered by your health insurance. You may also be capable of getting free or low-cost STD testing from 24/7 labs.
- Published in STD Testing
Chances of you getting an STD: Are the odds in your favor?
A Sexually Transmitted Disease (also known as an STDs) is a disease when certain types of bacteria and viruses infect a body through any sexual contact. Therefore, if you are sexually active, you may want to be extra careful of these bacteria and viruses. However, if you are reading this article, chances are that you might be afraid of getting an STD. But, what are the odds of you actually contracting one? The answer to that lies in many different factors. Depending on your personal lifestyle, the degree to which each factor affects you might vary.
The city of Oldsmar in Florida saw a hike in STD infections between 2015 and 2019. Luckily, taking an STD test in Oldsmar is not very difficult. Therefore, if you feel you are at risk, take an STD test immediately.
Assessing the risk factors
Generally speaking, a person who is sexually active and has unprotected sex is at a higher risk than a person who uses some kind of barrier. Even if you sleep with only one person, the chances of getting an STD do not reduce. It solely depends on the previous sexual activity of the person.
Having a one-stand stand can be even riskier because you do not know much about the person’s sexual history. (Not to mention, it might be a bit weird to ask a stranger if they have an STD.) If you hit a stroke of bad luck, then you might contract an STD because of this person. To add on, these are the other risk factors:
- The type of STD
- For how long the person has the disease
- If you have open pores or cuts that make the transit for bacteria and viruses easier.
Likelihood of getting an infection: Condoms
Unfortunately, condoms do not provide 100% protection against STIs and STDs. However, you must use a condom whenever you have sex to significantly decrease the chances of getting an STD. Here are some cases when a condom cannot provide complete protection:
- When the condom does not fit properly
- When the condom slips out or tears
- When condoms have large pores in them, making it easy for bacteria and viruses to seep through (this is especially the case for organic condoms)
Ways in which you can reduce the chances of getting an STD is by using the condom well. Moreover, use a lubricant and choose a condom that says it can prevent the disease on the package. Also, remember never to reuse a condom. In addition, getting tested for STDs can be the best way to be safe and plan for future treatment if you do contract one. Moreover, if you live in Oldsmar and want to test yourself for any STDs, you can get an STD Test in Oldsmar by getting STD kits at your doorstep.
Likelihood of getting an STD: Oral Sex
Oral sex is when you sexually stimulate your partner’s vagina, penis, or anus using the mouth, tongue, or throat. It is common among many people. However, unlike popular belief, doing oral sex does not reduce the chances of getting an STD. Ultimately, it is the bacteria and viruses that cause STDs, which can easily spread through the fluids in the mouth. STDs like Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, Herpes and even HIV can spread through oral sex. Therefore, it is important to know the factors that are likely to increase the chances of getting an STD while performing oral sex. Some of them are:
- If you have bleeding gums, tooth decay, or oral cancer
- Open wounds or sores on the lips or in the mouth
- If you are performing oral sex without a condom
Likelihood of getting an infection: Non-sexual contact
Although most people incur an STD through sex, we cannot rule out the possibility of getting an STD without any sexual contact. For example, sharing needles can cause STD-spreading pathogens to infect the body. Furthermore, when it comes to blood transfusions and organ transplants, the probability of a person getting HIV is never null. In addition to these, using unsterilized needles and having cuts and wounds all increase the chances of contracting STDs. Therefore, you must test yourself for an STD, especially if you are sexually active.
Get an STD test done today.
The ominous feeling you get, especially after a one-night stand, can be unsettling and overwhelming. Some may also feel a sense of panic and fear. However, it would help if you stayed as calm as possible. It is true that if you do not treat an STD on time, it can cause complications in the future. However, you can always get an STD test done quickly and safely. You can also find out the best diagnostic centers to visit in your city. If you happen to live in the city of Oldsmar, getting an STD Test in Oldsmar is very easy- you can even get your own STD kit delivered to your home. Unfortunately, you cannot control what might happen to you in the future. Hence, taking precautions in the present is the only way you can stay safe from STDs.
- Published in STD Testing
