Had unprotected sex, noticing some funky discharge, or feeling a little itchy "down there"?
It’s tempting to hold your breath and hope it goes away, but the best thing you can do when doubting whether or not you have an STD is to get it checked out! If you are 12 or older, you can be tested at a clinic for STDs without parental consent, and your results will be kept safe and confidential. Find a clinic near you.
An STD may not show any symptoms right away but one thing is for sure -- if left untreated, STDs can spread and get worse over time.
Chlamydia can make you unable to ever have a baby; Syphilis can also cause blindness, brain damage, or heart disease if left untreated; Hepatitis B causes liver damage and makes it easier to get HIV; and Chlamydia and Herpes can spread to your child when you give birth if you don’t seek treatment.
Make sure you use a condom every time you have sex to prevent STDs and pregnancy. Get tested at a clinic regularly so you know your status and can get treatment if needed.