No-Cost  Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening 

Funky smelling vaginal odor? Changes in the appearance of vaginal discharge? Suddenly painful sex? 

These are some symptoms that can signal that you could have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). 

Common sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia can infect the genitals, the throat, or the rectum (CDC, 2025). STIs are common, with roughly 1 million infections spread daily in people ages 15 to 49 years old according to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2024). It is important to recognize that, in most cases, these infections can be easily treated and cured. 

What puts you at risk of an STI?

You may be at risk for a sexually transmitted infection if you have had more than one sexual partner in recent months with or without protection. Taking oral birth control does not protect you from STIs. Condom use during intercourse can help to lower the risk for STIs, but using a condom may not prevent all infections. 

Abortion and STI’s 

If you are considering getting an abortion, a STI screening is recommended to help prevent any long-term problems that can results from untreated sexually transmitted infections. Screening is recommended because infections like gonorrhea or chlamydia may not cause noticeable symptoms. 

Are STIs even a big deal?

Minor discomfort or vague symptoms like itching, burning with urination, discharge, bleeding, or bowel movements that are painful can indicate an underlying sexually transmitted infection (CDC, 2025). Infertility or sepsis due to pelvic inflammatory disease can result from untreated STIs. Pelvic inflammatory disease is a serious condition that usually involves pelvic pain requiring urgent treatment to avoid major, life-threatening infection (WHO, 2025). 

Screening for the full spectrum of sexually transmitted infections should be completed as part of a comprehensive medical evaluation to determine if any of the following conditions is present: 

• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydia
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• HIV/AIDS
• Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV1 and HSV2)
• Syphilis
• Trichomonas
• Vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis and yeast infection. 

Get tested for free! 

No-cost screening for sexually transmitted infections is an important step in maintaining your overall health, especially if you have any of these symptoms. Screening is also an essential  to help ensure you get early treatment before long-term complications occur. 

Getting tested for sexually transmitted infections is a FREE service of Anchor of Hope. A licensed medical professional will complete a confidential medical evaluation as part of your no-cost STI screening. If you do test positive for a sexually transmitted infection, Anchor of Hope medical professionals can help prescribe antibiotics to treat some infections in most cases. This is also a time where you can get your questions answered about any sexual health concerns you may have in a non-judgmental environment. Learn more here.