Sexual Health & Screening

Whether you need routine STI testing, a same-visit answer to “am I pregnant,” or both, this is straightforward, judgment-free care built into your regular gynecologic visits, not a separate specialty clinic. You don’t need a reason beyond wanting to know. Rosa Gynecology is a supportive, all-female environment and entirely free of judgement to discuss your sexual health and answer your questions. 

STI Testing

Who Should Get Tested for STIs, and How Often?

Sexually transmitted infection, or STI, testing isn’t just for when something feels wrong. You don’t need to suspect an infection to ask for testing, and you don’t need to justify why you want it. Discretion is part of the visit: results are discussed with you privately, and testing can often be added to a visit you’re already having for another reason, like your annual exam.

Most chlamydia and gonorrhea infections in women cause no symptoms at all, which is exactly why routine screening exists. Current guidance is age- and risk-based rather than one-size-fits-all:

• Under 25 and Sexually Active: Annual chlamydia and gonorrhea testing is recommended for all women in this age range, regardless of symptoms or perceived risk.
• Ages 25 and Older: Annual testing is recommended if you have a new or multiple partners, or a partner who has an STI, per CDC screening guidance. Outside those situations, testing frequency is a conversation with your physician based on your history.
•  HIV Screening Guidelines: Recommended at least once for all adults, with ongoing annual testing for anyone with continuing risk factors. 
• New Relationships: Partnering with someone new is one of the most common reasons.

What Infections Get Tested?

Your provider will tailor your STI screening to your specific needs rather than running every test on everyone. Sharing your history—including any new partners, symptoms, or the date of your last test—helps ensure you get personalized, relevant care:

• Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: Tested typically from a urine sample or vaginal swab, not always requiring a pelvic exam.
• HIV Screening: Conducted via a quick blood test. 
• Syphilis: Evaluated via blood test, which is particularly relevant when starting a new relationship or during pregnancy. 
• Trichomoniasis: Often screened alongside other STIs, especially if you have symptoms like discharge.
• Herpes and HPV Management: Handled differently than routine panels– HPV is addressed through your Pap smear and screening schedule (see our Annual Exams page), and herpes testing is typically symptom-driven rather than routine, since blood testing without symptoms has real limitations your physician can walk you through.

Pregnancy Testing

Why Follow Up a Home Test in Our Office? 

A home pregnancy test is a reasonable first step, but a clinical pregnancy test at Rosa Gynecology gives you a confirmed result you can act on, plus the option to talk through next steps immediately with a medical professional, whatever the result is.

Pregnancy Test Accuracy Depends on Timing

Both home and clinical urine tests work by detecting hCG, a hormone your body starts producing after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. Home urine tests are generally about 99% accurate when used correctly, but accuracy depends heavily on timing:

• Testing too early is the most common reason for a false negative result, as your body may not have produced enough of the pregnancy hormone (hCG) to be detected yet. Since hCG levels rise rapidly, doubling every two to three days, waiting until after you miss your period gives the test the best chance of an accurate result.
• Blood testing can confirm pregnancy earlier, often 7 to 10 days after ovulation, which is several days before a urine test would reliably detect it.
• A negative result with a late or missed period is still worth a follow-up test in a few days, or a conversation with your physician, particularly if your cycle is normally regular.

When to Call Us: Symptoms That Shouldn’t Wait

Most testing here happens as routine, scheduled care. A few situations are worth a visit sooner rather than later:

• Known STI Exposure: A partner told you they tested positive for an STI, even if you currently have no symptoms.
• New or Unusual Symptoms: Persistent discharge, unusual odor, pelvic pain, or sores and burning, which deserve clear medical evaluation rather than guessing or waiting it out.
• Unclear Pregnancy Results: A late or missed period accompanied by an unclear or negative home test result, especially if you are experiencing early pregnancy symptoms.
• Exposure or Symptoms During Pregnancy: Known STI exposure or new symptoms during pregnancy, as early detection and tailored care protect both your health and your developing pregnancy.

Choose the Women Who Know: Schedule a Confidential Sexual Health Visit with Us

At Rosa Gynecology, your care is led by board-certified physicians—Drs. Mironda Williams, Deanna Guthrie, and Karen Greene—alongside skilled nurse practitioners Mary Corbitt, APRN, and Brittany Bulger, APRN. We’re women too, so we understand how personal sexual health and pregnancy questions can be.

Call us at 770-487-9604 if you’d like to schedule a visit now, book your annual exam, or if you simply have questions you’d like addressed. We’re here for you every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions