STI Testing
“True purity, however, is a direction, a persistent, determined pursuit of righteousness. This direction starts in the heart, and we express it in a lifestyle that flees opportunities for compromise.”
Joshua Harris
STI Testing
You have decided to be sexually active. But are you sure you have everything under control? The sexual choices you make can affect your body, mind, and spirit. STI testing for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia is part of Lifeline’s program that provides education and information, empowering women and their partners to make decisions that will protect their complete well-being.
Get the Facts
Not sure if you need to be tested? Call Lifeline to have one of our nurses give you a sexual risk assessment. Know for Sure. Get tested.
Lifeline staff are trained by the PA Department of Health to provide testing and education.
Gonorrhea – All information taken from the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) “Gonorrhea – CDC Fact Sheet”
- Gonorrhea affects both men and women and is especially common among 15-24 year-olds.
- Gonorrhea is spread by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner.
- The Center for Disease Control states that “The only way to avoid STD’s is to avoid vaginal, anal, and oral sex.”
- Pregnant women may give the infection to their babies during delivery. This can cause blindness, joint infections, and a serious blood infection. Find out, get treated, and minimize the risk!
- Most women and some men have no symptoms. However, symptoms include burning during urination, discharge (white, yellow or green from the penis or increased vaginal discharge), anal discharge and/or itching, painful bowel movements, bleeding (anal or vaginal bleeding between periods), and painful or swollen testicles (less common).
- Untreated Gonorrhea can increase the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV.
- If you are sexually active, the CDC recommends that you be tested every year.
- Gonorrhea can be cured.
Chlamydia – All information taken from the CDC’s “Chlamydia – CDC Fact Sheet”
- Chlamydia affects both men and women. 63% of reported Chlamydia cases are 15-24 years old.
- Chlamydia is spread by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner.
- The CDC states that “The only way to avoid STD’s is to avoid vaginal, anal, and oral sex.”
- Pregnant women may give the infection to their babies during delivery and can cause pre-term (early) labor. The baby can have an eye infection or pneumonia.
- Most people have no symptoms, but symptoms can appear weeks after having sex with an infected partner. However, symptoms include abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis, a burning sensation when urinating, rectal pain, anal bleeding or discharge, pain or swelling in one or both testicles (less common).
- If you are sexually active, the CDC recommends that you be tested every year.
- Chlamydia can be cured.
Fertility Awareness
Ladies, you know that you have a menstrual cycle. But did you know that your menstrual cycle has visual, measurable symptoms during each phase? Did you know that these symptoms are signs of health, and that many conditions that impact the reproductive cycle can be discovered by noting the absence of these symptoms. You can learn and share this information with your OB/Gyn to get real reproductive healthcare.
- Make an appointment with our nurse to learn about how your reproductive system works
- Learn how your hormones can affect your sexual decision-making so you can make the best choices for you
- Understand the impact that contraceptives have on your reproductive system and overall health
- Discover the behaviors that you can choose to optimize your sexual health and positively impact your overall health.
Sexual Integrity
You have decided to be sexually active. But are you sure you have everything under control? The sexual choices you make can affect your body, mind, and spirit. STI testing for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia is part of Lifeline’s program that provides education and information, empowering women and their partners to make decisions that will protect their complete well-being.
Sexual Integrity is expressing your gift of sexuality throughout your life in a true, excellent, honest, and pure way. – Heartbeat International, Introducing Sexual Integrity
You have choices! You have a right to your choices! All choices have consequences – good and bad. You can make choices that will improve your reproductive health. You can make choices that will lead to healthier relationships that last. You can make choices that fulfill your dreams.
Or you can make choices that lead you away from all of those things.
Get Educated
- Take the Sexual Risk Assessment.
- Get tested and referred for treatment.
- Understand your fertility and how to stay healthy.
- Get help looking at your relationships. Are they hurting or helping you? For real. I mean it.
- Set your goals.
- Make the changes you need to get where you want. We support you.
- Live the freedom from disease, unintended pregnancy, and emotional devastation that you deserve!
Our Services
At Lifeline of Berks County, all services are free and confidential.
For clients who come to Lifeline for a pregnancy test, Lifeline offers peer counseling, reproductive health education, material services, and referrals. Our pregnancy tests, limited ultrasound confirmation of pregnancy, options education, and STI testing are for education and are not meant to replace your regular medical care.
Lifeline of Berks County does not provide or refer for abortions. We do listen and help you get the information you need about all of your options.
You have your own story. We are here to listen and provide support.
At Lifeline of Berks County, all services are free and confidential.
Contact
612 Reading Avenue
West Reading, PA 19611
Hours
Monday 12 PM - 7 PM
Tuesday 10 AM - 4 PM
Wednesday 12 PM - 7 PM
Thursday-Fri. 10 AM - 4 PM