Is It Important to Get Tested for STD’s Before Having an Abortion?
At Assure Women’s Center, we only provide testing for two sexually transmitted diseases, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. We also only provide this testing to our patients who receive a positive result on the pregnancy test. Why is this? And, why do we only test for these two diseases?
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are the two most common STD’s out there today. They are bacterial diseases that commonly reside in the vaginal opening. We feel that it is imperative for the pregnant women that come to us to know if they have either one of these two diseases, particularly if they are considering having an abortion. Let me explain why.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are dangerous even if they remain outside the body. However, during an abortion (as well as during childbirth or the insertion of an IUD, as well as certain other circumstances) those infected cells can be carried from the vaginal opening up inside the uterus. When this occurs and is left untreated, a second condition called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) can develop.
PID can lead to serious consequences including infertility, ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy in the fallopian tube or elsewhere outside of the womb), abscess formation, and chronic pelvic pain. In order to prevent this from occurring, it is important to be tested and treated for chlamydia and gonorrhea before having an abortion. This is the reason for our policy.
As far as only providing STD testing for our patients who test positive for pregnancy, in many cases when a period is late and the woman is not pregnant, there can be other medical conditions at work. In those circumstances, we feel that it is in the person’s best interest to receive a full panel of testing for many (if not all) STD’s, not just two. Therefore, we provide referrals to some excellent and low-cost clinics in Omaha and Council Bluffs that can provide those services.
If you think you might be pregnant and would like to receive a free pregnancy test, as well as an ultrasound performed by our medical professionals, please call our helpline at 402-397-0600. We have two offices: two in Central Omaha (on 65th and Sorensen) and one out West (near 144th and Center.) If your test is positive, we can also test you for chlamydia and gonorrhea, especially if you are considering an abortion.
If you think you might be pregnant, Assure Women’s Center is Your Best First Step!
