OMG you might LOL but do you GYT? Let’s talk about it

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are sneaky little buggars. Many of them offer no symptoms making them almost impossible to catch, unless you get yourself tested. And since many STDs have no symptoms, most people who are infected do not know it. Scary, huh? According to the CDC, of the approximate 19 million new STD infections that occur every year in the United States, half of them are among men and women between the ages of 15 and 24. Some more stats for you are that: one out of every four teenage girls has a common STD, while one out of two sexually active young adults will contract a STD by the age of 25. And again, most do not know it. April is national STD awareness month. To help combat the alarming statistics of STDs in the U.S., Planned Parenthood, MTV, the Kaiser Family Foundation, the CDC, and others created the GYT (get yourself tested) campaign. Our goal is to inform, test, and treat.

How is this campaign working so far? Let’s take a look:

- Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains offered two $5 testing days, and saw the number of chlamydia and gonorrhea tests increase from the usual average of 156 to over 2,754.

-Planned Parenthood of North and South Carolina has had a 100 percent increase in clients since the GYT launch in 2009.

-At campaign launch, “GYT” was one of the top Google searches.

-Planned Parenthood of Georgia has had a 64 percent increase in the number of men tested for gonorrhea.

-Planned Parenthood of South Central N.Y. has had a 70 percent increase in the number of women tested for STDs.

-Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa saw the number of men tested for HIV double.

The numbers should speak for themselves. The GYT campaign is a national success.

It’s an inconvenient truth that the spread of STDs is a problem in the United States. Lack of accurate information and social stigma are two main reasons why many people do not get themselves tested. We’re here to tell you that it’s okay to get tested! Look at the numbers. People clearly are GTT (getting themselves tested). Why don’t you GYT? People mistakenly believe they are receiving STD testing as a part of their general health care, yearly check-up, or their OBGYN visit. If the doctor does not report back with any bad news, then no STD, right? WRONG. Unless you specifically ask to receive STD testing, then you are NOT being tested. Treatment of STDs is difficult without the tests and diagnosis. STD testing is easier than ever before. Chlamydia and gonorrhea (two of the most common and treatable, yes treatable, diseases) can be tested for with a quick and easy urine sample. HIV tests are done by taking a simple finger prick and are ready in 10 minutes. Diagnosis and treatment is essential. When left untreated, STDs can lead to an increased risk for HIV, infertility, and cancer. The only way to know if you have an STD is to get tested. Take control of your sexual health. GYT!!!! Let’s talk about it.