some stds don’t have symptoms, so it’s important to get tested if you're sexually active.

So there I was, completely shocked that I had tested positive for Chlamydia. 

If you didn’t already know, Chlamydia is a highly common Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD).  My doctor says that as many as 1 in 10 young women will test positive for Chlamydia. 

My doctor also said that Chlamydia, like many other STDs, is considered a “silent disease” because it can cause damage inside the body without showing any major physical symptoms on the outside. 

I couldn’t believe that I had contracted this infection over a month ago and I didn’t even know it! At first I noticed that it really burned when I peed, and I had some discharge coming out of my vagina, but I figured that I had a urinary tract infection.  My friend had told me about a website called Teensource.org that I could use to find a clinic nearby, where I could get free sexual and reproductive health services.

During my appointment, I was told that I would get an STD test, just to rule out any possibilities, but honestly, I was sure that I would test negative for everything.  However, a few days later, the clinic called with my results, and it turns out thatI had Chlamydia. I tried thinking of how I could’ve gotten it, and remembered having sex without a condom with a guy from school over a month before. 

Luckily, it was easy to get treated. What did I learn from all of this? Most STD’s don’t have symptoms, so it’s important to get tested if you’re sexually active. Next time—and every time—I’ll use a condom! I had to learn the hard way.