Should I Get Tested for STDs After Every Partner

Infections and diseases spread by sexual contact can have a profound impact on both your sexual and reproductive health. There are over 30 different bacteria, viruses, and parasites known to spread from person to person through sexual contact with vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

The World Health Organization estimates there are over 350 million new sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases occurring every year across the globe. Canadians have had increasing numbers of reportable STIs with rates of syphilis increasing by almost 400% over the past decade. 

When it comes to STI testing, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Timing really matters — testing too early might not give you accurate results while waiting too long could put your health or your partner’s at risk.

This blog will help you understand the risks of STIs, why regular testing is so important, and provide helpful resources to make navigating the testing process easier.

Understanding STI testing frequency after every partner 

There may be multiple factors that come into play when determining the best frequency of STI screening tests for you. Factors such as the number of sexual partners you or your partner may have, the types of sexual activities you participate in, and any other personal risk factors (like having previous STIs or using certain drugs) can impact how soon you may want to be tested. 

It is recommended to test regularly and after every new partner, especially if sexually active with unprotected sex. The more risks you have, the more frequently you may want to get tested. Someone with less risks may want to be tested annually, and someone with more risk may want to test every few months or sooner. 

To make an informed decision on STI testing, it’s important to understand the risks of STIs and how testing can make a difference. 

Risks of contracting STIs or STDs

Knowing the potential risks is the first step in protecting your health and making informed decisions about your sexual well-being. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common STIs and how they can affect you.

The more common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) include:

• Chlamydia, an often silent bacterial infection meaning it can cause no symptoms at all, is caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis
• Gonorrhea is another bacterial infection that is often silent, caused by Neisseria Gonorrhoea. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are two of the most commonly reported STIs in Canada. 
• Hepatitis is an infection involving the liver that is caused by the Hepatitis B or C virtus 
• Herpes is caused by one of two Herpes Simplex Viruses (HSV-1 or HSV-2) and leads to the development of blisters and ulcers 
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks an individual’s immune system. If left untreated, it can cause acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
• Anogenital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), infecting about 75% of Canadians at least once in their lifetime
• Syphilis cases are climbing and remain a preventable but potentially serious bacterial infection caused by Treponema Pallidum
• Trichomoniasis, sometimes called “trich”, is the most common non-viral STI globally, caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis

Although used interchangeably, STIs and sexually transmitted diseases or STDs are not the same. All STDs start as an infection, but not all STIs will turn into a disease. Infections happen when a microorganism like a bacteria or virus, for example, enters the body and multiplies.

Passing of these infections from one person to the next can happen from unprotected sexual activity through: 

• Direct skin-to-skin contact 
• Exchange of bodily fluids like semen, vaginal or oral secretions
• Blood contact 

Certain STIs can slide under the radar and remain undetected in two ways: 

1. They can remain dormant, meaning there may be no evidence of infection for months to years after exposure like HSV. 
2. They may cause no symptoms at all, often the case for infections with gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and even certain HPV strains for example.

Because symptoms can take time to appear, it’s important to keep up with regular testing—even in a monogamous relationship. You might feel fine, but infections can sometimes go unnoticed for a while, making testing crucial for peace of mind and your health.

Importance of STI testing

Monogamous or not, regular screening and testing for STIs appropriately can have many benefits, such as:

• Ensuring early detection of undiagnosed infections
• Prevent complications from untreated infections
• Start proper treatment if needed
• Avoid spreading the infection to partners
• Allow partners to seek testing and treatment 
• Prevent spreading to your baby if pregnant

Delaying STI testing can come with serious risks, as untreated infections may lead to complications that impact your health, your partners, and even future pregnancies. Regular testing helps catch infections early before they can cause long-term damage.

Here are the risks involved:

• Passing infection from mother to baby during pregnancy and risk stillbirth, premature birth, birth deformities, sepsis, eye infections, or even death
• Development of liver disease (cirrhosis) or cancer
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious complication that can lead to infertility. 
• Increase risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 
• HIV advancing into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
• Untreated dangerous HPV strains can cause genital warts or cancer of the mouth, vulva, cervix, penis and anus
  

STI testing windows

If you feel anxious immediately after having risky sex, you have time to make clear decisions. There is a window of time that needs to pass after being exposed to an infection before the test can accurately identify a positive result. Testing before this optimal window, you may receive a false negative test result. This depends on the STI and the specific test being done.

Common STI windows are:

• Chlamydia can test positive a few days to two to three weeks after exposure 
• Gonorrhea can test positive as soon as one day but is most accurate after seven to 14 days from exposure 
• Herpes accurately tests positive as soon as two days to two weeks
• Hepatitis tests positive two to four weeks after exposure
• HIV can take up to three months for a positive result 
• HPV can test positive one month to years after exposure 
• Syphilis results can be positive three to four weeks after exposure 
• Trichomoniasis can test positive five to 28 days after exposure

Stigma and misconceptions

When someone is diagnosed with an STI, they may fear judgement or fear they will experience negative attitudes or beliefs about their lifestyle or behaviours from others. This fear can prevent individuals from seeking the appropriate education, screening, testing, and treatment needed for STIs. 

Neglecting care for your sexual health can lead to poor outcomes and further distress. It is important to be proactive about your sexual health and to be aware that sexual health services in Canada are both free and highly confidential. If you are not comfortable discussing your sexual health with your primary care provider, there are many ways you can obtain sexual health care in Canada. 

Resources for STI testing

Confidential STI testing can be performed at various places, including: 

• Primary care provider
• Sexual health clinic 
• Local public health unit
• Walk-in clinic
• Virtual care

Getting yourself tested can help detect STIs before they show any symptoms. Early detection can prevent the infection from advancing to disease and complications or spreading to partners or babies for those who are pregnant. “Watch and wait” strategies will not work for many STIs.

Take charge of your sexual health and start regular STI screening. Discuss your individual risks with your healthcare provider or complete an intake questionnaire for online anonymous STI testing for a better understanding of a screening schedule that’s right for you. 

If you have any questions about STIs or symptoms but you don’t know where to start, speak to a primary care provider. If you’re among the millions of Canadians without a primary care provider, remember that you can always try Maple. A membership on Maple allows you to speak with a primary care provider, like a doctor or nurse practitioner, 24/7/365 over secure text, audio, or video call in minutes. Primary care providers on Maple can talk to you about any symptoms you may have, offer advice on having safe sex or talking to a partner about STI testing, and help you find a place to go for testing. 

Taking control of your sexual health starts with awareness and regular testing. Whether you’re in a monogamous relationship or have multiple partners, staying on top of STI testing is key to protecting yourself and those you care about. By understanding the risks, the importance of timing, and the benefits of early detection, you can make informed choices that support your long-term health and well-being. Remember, testing is a simple step that can make a big difference in preventing complications and ensuring peace of mind.

The information presented here is for educational purposes and is not meant to replace the advice from your medical professional. Virtual care is not meant for medical emergencies. If you are experiencing an emergency like chest pain or difficulties breathing, for example, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.