STD tests for men. List of which, how to take

STD testing is a necessary measure, allowing timely identification of diseases of infectious etiology in men. Most medical centers (especially private clinics) guarantee quick results and complete anonymity. Before visiting the laboratory, you must obtain a referral from your doctor.

Indications for examining a man for infection

STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) tests for men are prescribed when there are a number of symptoms. Some pathologies are asymptomatic, so experts recommend visiting your doctor immediately after unprotected intercourse. The symptom complex may vary depending on the disease.

The category of sexually transmitted infections includes:

• syphilis;
• gonorrhea;
• trichomoniasis;
• ureaplasmosis;
• mycoplasmosis;
• gardnerellosis;
• candidiasis;
• HPV;
• herpes.

Analyzes are prescribed for men when the following symptoms appear:

Pathology	Symptoms
Syphilis	Chancre formation, swollen lymph nodes, edema of the penis, joint pain, fever body, disorders of the psycho-emotional background (aggression, irritability), fatigue, syphilitic rash.
Gonorrhea	Pain on palpation of the penis, redness and swelling of the urethra, greenish-yellow discharge with impurities of pus, erosion, pain when urinating, burning, itching, temperature fluctuations, pain and swelling of the scrotum, difficulty urination.
Trichomoniasis	Pain when emptying the bladder, purulent discharge from the urethra, swelling, irritation, reddening of the tissues of the penis in the head region, frequent urination, decreased potency.
Chlamydia	Transparent, scanty discharge, pain during urination, redness, swelling of the urethra, decreased potency, pus or blood in the urine, pain in the lumbar region, testicles and scrotum.
Ureaplasmosis	Pain, itching during urination, odorless whitish discharge, temperature fluctuations, impaired outflow of urine.
Mycoplasmosis	Pain in the scrotum, hyperemia of the head, impurities of pus in the urine, pain in the lower abdomen, nocturnal urge to urinate, lack of potency, slightly cloudy discharge from the urethra.
Gardnerellosis	Gray, watery, scanty discharge from the urethra with an unpleasant odor, discomfort (burning, itching) during urination, redness of the mucous membranes of the head and urethra, signs of intoxication.
Candidiasis	Pain during emptying the bladder and intercourse, the formation of a film on the head, the appearance of impurities of pus or blood in urine, cracks in the foreskin, cheesy white discharge with an unpleasant odor, hyperemia, swelling of the genitals, burning, itching.
HPV	The appearance of rounded large plaques, warts, papules on the head, itching, burning, swelling of the mucous membranes, redness, pain when emptying the bladder, scanty discharge from the urethra.
Herpes	Vesicle formation, itching, burning, pain on palpation.

Sexually transmitted infections also include lymphogranuloma venereum. The development of pathology is indicated by the appearance of a large papule on the foreskin, trunk, bridle or head of the penis.

Types of STD tests

Laboratory tests are prescribed to patients in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Usually they are prescribed when one or more symptoms appear, indicating the development of sexually transmitted pathologies.

There are several types of STD tests for men:

• blood and urine tests;
• smear;
• bacterial sowing;
• ELISA;
• PCR.

To obtain the most accurate result, it is necessary to properly prepare for the upcoming study.

Urine

Pathogenic microorganisms and pathogenic bacteria that provoke the development of sexually transmitted diseases enter the body through the urogenital tract. Often, pathologies are asymptomatic due to the ability of pathogens to mask.

The main reason for the appointment of a urinalysis may be the following symptoms:

• ammonia smell from urine;
• the appearance of severe pain in the lower abdomen and during urination;
• rash on the external genitals;
• discharge with an unpleasant putrid odor;
• burning, itching around the urethra.

Urinalysis reveals:

• ureaplasmosis;
• mycoplasmosis;
• Trichomonas;
• gonorrhea;
• chlamydia;
• candidiasis.

It is not necessary to take a urine test immediately after unprotected sexual intercourse. It is important to take into account the incubation period of the pathology. If you pass the test earlier, then with a high degree of probability, it will not work to identify the infection.

The incubation period for some sexually transmitted diseases:

• candidiasis - 5-10 days;
• chlamydia - 5 days;
• syphilis - 14-21 days;
• gonorrhea - 5-6 days.

To get the most accurate results, you need to properly prepare for the delivery of urine. Experts recommend giving up sexual intercourse 24 hours before the proposed study. The genitals cannot be treated with antiseptic solutions; it is enough just to wash them with warm water and soap.

It is recommended to stop taking diuretics the day before the urine test. Do not eat vegetables and fruits that can stain urine. It is strictly forbidden to consume alcoholic beverages immediately before taking tests. The morning urine should be collected in a sterile container. It can be purchased at any pharmacy.

Blood

STD tests for men can make an accurate diagnosis. This research method is considered quite accurate.

A blood test can detect the following diseases:

• gonorrhea;
• syphilis;
• mycoplasmosis;
• ureaplasmosis;
• chlamydial infections;
• Trichomonas.

To get the most reliable result, it is necessary to follow medical recommendations for preparing for the upcoming study. Endoscopy, X-ray and ultrasound are not allowed 24 hours before going to the laboratory. It is advisable to stop taking medications that thin the blood or affect its clotting.

Experts recommend eliminating any physical activity 24 hours before the test. It is also necessary to adjust the usual diet - 48 hours before blood sampling, it is necessary to completely abandon fried, sour and fatty foods. The analysis is taken early in the morning on an empty stomach. The last meal should be 9-12 hours before going to the laboratory.

Examination of the mucosa

A stained or native smear can detect sexually transmitted diseases. Biological material is taken from the urethra (urethra). The study is prescribed by the urologist after examining the patient.

A urethral smear should be taken for men if they suspect:

• inflammatory sluggish diseases;
• urogenital infections.

A man must have a smear if his partner has an infection. Also, the study is prescribed for suspected infertility and sexually transmitted diseases (trichomoniasis, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea).

It is necessary to visit a urologist if the following ailments appear:

• pain when emptying the bladder;
• rash, redness of the external genital organs;
• swelling of the mucous head;
• purulent, bloody or whitish discharge from the urethral canal.

A swab for flora is taken in the laboratory. Scraping is taken from the urethra. The smear is applied to a glass slide, stained and examined under a microscope. The study helps to determine the type of pathogen.

To obtain the most reliable result for the delivery of a smear, it is necessary to properly prepare. 48 hours before the proposed study, any sexual intercourse is completely stopped. On the eve of the trip to the laboratory, they take a shower. In the morning, before taking a smear, you cannot empty your bladder.

On the day of the test, it is necessary to wash the organ with warm water and soap and wipe it with a sterile napkin. In the laboratory, a probe is inserted into the urethral canal. The specialist must make several rotational movements in order to collect the required amount of biomaterial. The probe is carefully removed and a smear is applied to a sterile glass slide.

Bacterial sowing

STD tests for men are prescribed when pain or burning occurs during bladder emptying. Bacteriostatic research allows you to determine the composition of the microflora inhabiting the urethral canal. Normally, men may have a small number of rods and cocci. The prostate and the channels that carry the semen are usually sterile.

Bacterial sowing allows you to identify pathogens of infectious etiology:

• yeast-like mushrooms;
• hemophilic bacteria;
• staphylococci;
• enterococci;
• streptococci;
• enterobacteria;
• chlamydia;
• Trichomonas.

Bacterial culture is prescribed to the patient when acute pain occurs during the emptying of the bladder. A swab is taken from the urethra. Before taking the analysis, you can not urinate for 2-3 hours. The smear is taken using a special device - a probe. It is inserted 2-3 cm deep into the urethral canal. While taking a scraping, a man may feel discomfort.

For bacterial sowing:

• discharge from the urethral canal;
• prostate secret;
• ejaculate;
• urine.

The laboratory assistant places the biomaterial into the nutrient medium. The result is given to the patient 6-8 days after collection.

ELISA

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is considered a rather informative method of laboratory research, allowing to identify the causative agent of some sexually transmitted diseases. When foreign agents enter the body, they provoke a number of specific processes initiated by the immune system. When pathogenic microorganisms or viruses enter the body, antibodies are urgently produced in the blood.

The enzyme immunoassay allows you to determine the type of pathology with almost one hundred percent accuracy. In laboratory conditions, solid-phase analysis is carried out, during which special enzymes are used that can bind antigens and antibodies. The causative agent is identified by luminescent, fluometric, spectrometric methods. For the enzyme immunoassay, blood is taken from the patient.

Laboratory research allows you to identify:

• ureaplasmosis;
• trichomoniasis;
• chlamydia;
• syphilis (regardless of the phase of the course);
• gonorrhea.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has a number of advantages over other laboratory research methods. The process is fully automated, all components are stable. In the course of the study, a minimum volume of biological fluid is used. Thanks to the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, single molecules can be detected in the test material. The analysis cost is low.

Blood sampling is carried out early in the morning, on an empty stomach. The patient is strictly prohibited from drinking alcoholic beverages 24 hours before the intended examination.

PCR

STD tests for men are taken in the laboratory. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is considered a fairly accurate and reliable method of laboratory diagnostics. With the help of research, you can identify the causative agent of sexually transmitted diseases. The analysis is prescribed if the macroscopic, immunological and bacteriological diagnostics did not bring the expected result.

The object of study is genetically foreign material that is copied using DNA polymerases. After obtaining copies, the specialist separates the cells of bacteria, viruses and foreign fragments. The analysis also identifies a highly resistant pathogen or parasitic within a human cell.

Laboratory tests are usually prescribed for pathologies with a number of genotypic features.

PCR allows you to diagnose:

• candidiasis;
• genital herpes;
• ureaplasmosis;
• mycoplasmosis;
• chlamydia;
• trichomoniasis;
• gonorrhea.

Thanks to the polymerase chain reaction, the degree of sensitivity of the pathogen to antibiotics is determined. Laboratory research reveals the DNA of foreign microorganisms in different environments.

Men take for analysis:

• epithelial particles;
• phlegm;
• blood;
• slime;
• urine.

The type of material is determined by the laboratory assistant based on the probability of localization of the pathogenic microorganism. If a sexually transmitted disease is suspected, a scraping from the urethral canal is taken from a man. The material is taken by means of a sterile urogenital disposable probe. The laboratory technician must make several rotational movements in order to collect the required amount of material.

PCR requires some preparation. 10 days before the proposed study, the patient must stop taking potent medications. Sexual intercourse must be abandoned 72 hours before taking the material. It is necessary to exclude spicy, salty and fried foods from the diet 3 days before going to the laboratory.

It is strictly forbidden to consume alcoholic beverages during this period. You cannot empty the bladder 2-3 hours before the tests. Reorganization of the external genital organs is mandatory. In the process, you can use antibacterial soap or antiseptic solution.

Interpretation of results

Normally, a man's blood, urine, mucus should not contain pathogenic microorganisms. An increase in the norm of epithelium and leukocytes may indicate the development of sexually transmitted diseases. If the amount of mucus in the smear is increased, then we can talk about the pathology of an inflammatory nature. Detection of yeast, Trichomonas, and gonococci also indicates the presence of STDs.

Only a doctor can decipher the test results. On their basis, drug therapy is selected. It must be remembered that the unauthorized use of drugs is strictly prohibited.

Men need to be tested for STDs several times a year. Unprotected sexual intercourse with a casual partner is the reason for contacting a urologist. An alarming sign indicating the development of sexually transmitted diseases is pain and burning during urination.

Video about STD testing for men

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