Abortion & STDs
How can I find out if I have an STD?
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) also called sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pose a severe risk to a woman’s future reproductive and overall health, especially if left untreated. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in the United States, 1 out of 4 women, ages 14 to 19, is infected with at least one STD.
While both men and women in the U.S. are diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in about equal numbers, they are not affected by STIs equally. For example, women are more likely than men to experience long-term health complications from untreated STIs, including infertility (the inability to have a baby). A pregnant woman can also pass an STI along to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth.
According to the Office on Women’s Health, women often have more serious health problems from STIs than men:
- Chlamydia and gonorrhea left untreated, raise the risk of chronic pelvic pain and life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. Chlamydia and gonorrhea also can cause infertility.
- Untreated syphilis in pregnant women results in infant death up to 40% of the time.
- Women have a higher risk than men of getting an STI during unprotected vaginal sex. Unprotected anal sex puts women at even more risk for getting a STI than unprotected vaginal sex.
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Is it necessary to get tested?
STD testing and treatment are critical if you are considering an abortion because chlamydia, the most common STD in the US, rarely has symptoms. Studies have demonstrated that 70-95% of women and 90% of men who have chlamydia do not realize that they have it. Woman who have an untreated STD (like chlamydia or gonorrhea) are up to 23% more likely to develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) following an abortion procedure.
What can I do to protect myself from getting an STD?
The only way to be 100% confident of avoiding STD/STI infections is abstaining from sex or intimate physical contact including oral sex.
If sexually active, to prevent getting a sexually transmitted disease, or STD, always avoid sex with anyone who has genital sores, a rash, discharge, or other symptoms.
Proper use of condoms with each act of sexual intercourse can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of STDs. Use latex condoms every time you have sex. If you use a lubricant, make sure it’s water-based. Use condoms for the entire sex act. Condoms are not 100% effective at preventing disease or pregnancy. However, they are extremely effective if used properly. They must be used consistently and correctly each time to reduce the risk of infection. Remember that condom use does not ensure that you will be protected.
Prevention through avoiding exposure is the best strategy for controlling the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Sexual Exposure Chart
Is it necessary to get tested?
STD testing and treatment are critical if you are considering an abortion because chlamydia, the most common STD in the US, rarely has symptoms. Studies have demonstrated that 70-95% of women and 90% of men who have chlamydia do not realize that they have it. Woman who have an untreated STD (like chlamydia or gonorrhea) are up to 23% more likely to develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) following an abortion procedure.
What can I do to protect myself from getting an STD?
The only way to be 100% confident of avoiding STD/STI infections is abstaining from sex or intimate physical contact including oral sex.
If sexually active, to prevent getting a sexually transmitted disease, or STD, always avoid sex with anyone who has genital sores, a rash, discharge, or other symptoms.
Proper use of condoms with each act of sexual intercourse can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of STDs. Use latex condoms every time you have sex. If you use a lubricant, make sure it’s water-based. Use condoms for the entire sex act. Condoms are not 100% effective at preventing disease or pregnancy. However, they are extremely effective if used properly. They must be used consistently and correctly each time to reduce the risk of infection. Remember that condom use does not ensure that you will be protected.
Prevention through avoiding exposure is the best strategy for controlling the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Sexual Exposure Chart
Consider Your Options
Become empowered to make a well-informed pregnancy decision. Consider the three options for your pregnancy.
Call to schedule an appointment for your initial visit and a free pregnancy test.
Additional Questions You Might Have
All of our services are free.
The services provided to you by our center are made possibly by individuals, businesses, and local churches who care about you and what you are going through. We are a faith-based organization & hope to empower you to confidently choose life for your baby, but we also recognize & respect that it’s your choice. We offer non-judgmental ongoing support for you for all three different options for your pregnancy.
You need to bring a photo ID. Having a full bladder is recommended if receiving a pregnancy test or limited ultrasound.
While we attempt to accommodate walk-ins, making an appointment is preferred. We cannot guarantee appointment availability for walk-ins. Please text 785-333-1376 or call 785-842-6499 to schedule.
Our tests are professional medical-grade quality, urine pregnancy tests administered by our licensed medical professionals. If the test is positive, we can provide a confirmation of pregnancy.
Please allow anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes for your appointment. Our administrative assistant can give you a better idea of how much time your appointment will take depending on the services you request when scheduling.
You can bring your partner, a family member, or friend. First, we will talk with you privately. Then if you give us consent to have your support person in the room, your guest will be able to join you for certain portions of your appointment—including the ultrasound. However, due to our strict confidentiality policy, there will be times we need to speak to you privately. Also, we encourage you to make other arrangements for your children but understand sometimes that may not be possible. Children are welcome to stay with a responsible person in our waiting area.
Our medical services do not include testing for STD/STI’s. Our caring medical staff can educate you on the different types of STD/STI’s and how they can affect your pregnancy. Then provide a referral to a local medical facility that can provide testing for you.
We adhere to a strict privacy and confidentiality policy. Clients are protected from disclosure of information that violates their right to privacy except where required by law, required for public health reasons, required to avert a threat of harm to the client or a third person, or when other circumstances may reasonably warrant such use or disclosure without prior authorization (e.g., abuse reporting, suicide/homicide prevention, etc.)
“Thank you for making this easy. It definitely calmed my nerves, and I feel very supported.”
“I feel much more informed and supported all around. The staff at Insight Women’s Center had the utmost respect for my feelings.”
“The thing I liked best about Insight Women’s Center was they are very sensitive to a woman’s privacy and dignity.”
“Thank you for making this easy. It definitely calmed my nerves, and I feel very supported.”
“Everyone is very friendly and wants the best for you, which is good support to have.”
“The thing I liked best about Insight Women’s Center was they are very sensitive to a woman’s privacy and dignity.”
The information presented on this website is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice.
