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Also, generally being on PrEP involves a full run of STI testing including HIV quarterly. I would imagine that most straight people do not get tested for STIs a

Also, generally being on PrEP involves a full run of STI testing including HIV quarterly. I would imagine that most straight people do not get tested for STIs as regularly. Heck, most people don't see their doctor for any reason quarterly in the US.

toomuchtodo 5y ago
Agree heterosexuals don’t get tested as often for STIs (humans are terrible at quantifying risk). Really needs to be a part of an annual metabolic panel you’d have performed alongside a physical. You’re already doing the blood draw, just order the tests and grab an additional vial. If you’re sexually active with multiple partners, quarterly, regardless of orientation/preferences.
- bobthepanda 5y ago
  Right. For PrEP they require a blood draw anyways to check creatinine levels since it can indicate side effects involving the kidneys, so you may as well draw blood for everything else too.
  - morbia 5y ago
    You also need to continue testing for HIV because it is easy to take prep wrong and miss tablets.
- rdtwo 5y ago
  Who sees a doctor quarterly? Much less gets quarterly panels? My super premium insurance wouldn’t even cover annual pannels (only one every 2 years) when I was under 30
  - throwawayboise 5y ago
    Haven't seen a doctor in at least 10 years (not counting dental and eye care).
    - CoastalCoder 5y ago
      Bit of a tangent, but I encourage you to at least check your blood-pressure occasionally. Hypertension is called "the silent killer" for a reason.
  - klyrs 5y ago
    You don't need to see a doctor, in many places you can get STI tests at a clinic or blood lab.
- bradlys 5y ago
- stainforth 5y ago
  I think a test ("proscribed" online) was over $200 for a basic panel and Qwest or Labcorp almost didn't want to accept it because it wasn't from a local doctor. I just had my yearly physical (after not going for a few years) and the basic blood panel not including stds was $500 total and only 300 was covered by a fortune 500 company insurance. The cost is prohibitive. Though I have a feeling women get the test for free possibly?
  - toomuchtodo 5y ago
    Definitely not my experience. Decent US insurance, my annual physical, metabolic panel, and STI screen is free. For those in your situation, Planned Parenthood might be an option for reduced or no cost STI screening.

toomuchtodo 5y ago

Agree heterosexuals don’t get tested as often for STIs (humans are terrible at quantifying risk). Really needs to be a part of an annual metabolic panel you’d have performed alongside a physical. You’re already doing the blood draw, just order the tests and grab an additional vial. If you’re sexually active with multiple partners, quarterly, regardless of orientation/preferences.

bobthepanda 5y ago
Right. For PrEP they require a blood draw anyways to check creatinine levels since it can indicate side effects involving the kidneys, so you may as well draw blood for everything else too.
- morbia 5y ago
  You also need to continue testing for HIV because it is easy to take prep wrong and miss tablets.
rdtwo 5y ago
Who sees a doctor quarterly? Much less gets quarterly panels? My super premium insurance wouldn’t even cover annual pannels (only one every 2 years) when I was under 30
- throwawayboise 5y ago
  Haven't seen a doctor in at least 10 years (not counting dental and eye care).
  - CoastalCoder 5y ago
    Bit of a tangent, but I encourage you to at least check your blood-pressure occasionally. Hypertension is called "the silent killer" for a reason.
- klyrs 5y ago
  You don't need to see a doctor, in many places you can get STI tests at a clinic or blood lab.
bradlys 5y ago
stainforth 5y ago
I think a test ("proscribed" online) was over $200 for a basic panel and Qwest or Labcorp almost didn't want to accept it because it wasn't from a local doctor. I just had my yearly physical (after not going for a few years) and the basic blood panel not including stds was $500 total and only 300 was covered by a fortune 500 company insurance. The cost is prohibitive. Though I have a feeling women get the test for free possibly?
- toomuchtodo 5y ago
  Definitely not my experience. Decent US insurance, my annual physical, metabolic panel, and STI screen is free. For those in your situation, Planned Parenthood might be an option for reduced or no cost STI screening.