Statistics show that STIs are on the rise in Germany, showing higher numbers than they have in a very long time, and yet according to many women living in Germany, testing still seems to be very difficult to come by.
Evidence suggests that these statistics may be related, showing that lower test rates correlate with higher infection rates; the fewer people are able to get tested, the higher the rate of infection, which is unsurprising. The answer to this question is not straightforward; some places will offer an STI test for free on your insurance, and some will not. Many women have reported that Gynecologists will not carry out an STI test unless you have symptoms, others reported that they will carry out the test without symptoms, but the patient has to pay upfront.
The general rule of thumb with GPs and Gynecologists seems to be that you can have the test, but if symptomless you will have to pay for it. Many women in the group posted that they felt this sent the message that having a responsible sex life comes at a high price, which is unfair. It is highly normal to need an STI test at some point, it is simply a part of having a sex life, so it makes little sense that a routine checkup should cost money.
There is a workaround that many women claim to have tried, in order to avoid paying for the test, which is to google the symptoms of a common STI itching, pain, etc and tell your doctor that you have those symptoms so that you can have a free test, this works as long as you have insurance. The object of this is so that women know what their options are, regardless of their situations.
STIs are highly stigmatized, but we must remember that they are simply a part of having a sex life, and the majority of people will need to have a test in their lifetime - it is nothing to be ashamed of. The most important thing is that you take care of your health and ensure that you are using protection when having sex. If you have a regular sexual partner, ensure that you both get tested before having unprotected sex for the first time, through the means discussed in this article!
