STD screening is essential, if you are sexually active and are not committed to a known and trusted partner. Surprisingly, sometimes doctors refuse their patients who ask for an STD test prescription. However, the doctors do have good reasons for saying no to an STD screening.
There are many reasons why, and some of these are briefly discussed here. Read on……
They have no access to a laboratory
A number of diagnostic tests need specific equipment, lab supplies, and doctor’s expertise. All the supplies are not available with a physician. If your doctor doesn’t have materials needed to do carry out these tests, then visit one of the best STD testing clinics in your locality.
They adhere to screening guidelines stringently
The goal of screening guidelines is to target the population at highest risk, as well as maximize screening efficiency and minimize the waste of money, time, and resources. A few of the people may wish to go for the STD test more often than suggested, while others may choose to get tested at a particular age, when guidelines don’t recommend screening at all. Some of the other reasons are given below –
- Multiple sex partners
- Finding out whether your past partner was loyal or not
- Start a new sex relationship
- Unprotected sex history
You can always share the reasons with your doctor. There is a possibility they will ignore screening guidelines.
They are unaware of screening guidelines for a specific disease
The CDC {Centers for Disease Control & Prevention} thinks you need STD screening, but your doctor refuses. Your doctor may be aware of some individual risk factors, which CDC, which you are not aware of. On the contrary, your doctor may not be aware of current guidelines.
They feel worried about screening
Pap screening test is safe, but there is an issue of overtreatment. Follow-up treatment and biopsies can damage her cervix and reproductive health. If left untreated the lesions spontaneously resolve, as per research. Therefore many doctors are concerned about screening. They feel their decision can be bad rather than smart, especially if they get sued. It is an understandable fear, which makes it easy for them to recommend less screening.
They are not aware that specific tests are available
Sometimes doctors are not aware that there are certain tests available for specific STDs even if there are no symptoms experienced. Some doctors are aware of an existing test but refuse to advise it for you. Discuss this because their concerns may be legitimate, for example, rapid HIV test is for high-risk populations only.
They don’t find screening beneficial if you have no symptoms
Some doctors are hesitant to screen because you are asymptomatic. It is true for herpes screening. A few physicians are worried about the emotional toll of an incorrect positive test. Suppressive therapy is capable to decrease herpes transmission risk even if there are no symptoms but it is good to be aware of your status. You may not wish to place your new bed partner at risk.
They feel the social stigma is more damaging
Genital herpes and warts are socially stigmatized diseases that accompany emotional trauma. A positive diagnosis can harm a romantic relationship or be a life-changing experience. Living all your life knowing the fact that you are infected with a contagious infection is horrible, so doctors feel – ‘Is there a genuine benefit in doing the test?’