Scarleteen

Hi
I'm sexually active and I use don't use condoms when I have sex all the time. I know its stupid but nothing has ever come up because of it. All of my partners have either been virgins or used condoms with everyone else but me. I'm worried because I recently found a painful bump near the enterance to my vaginal canal. Its really small, and sort of looks like a razor bump, which I get often. But I was wondering if I should go to the doctor . I've been tested before and its always come back negative . I'm pretty worried. Also where should I get tested because I don't want my parents to know. Is there anywhere discrete that will test me?

If you haven't been tested since this encounter, yes, you should get tested for STIs-- see this column http://www.scarleteen.com/article/advic ... hould_i_do for more information.

If you can afford to pay out of pocket (not on your parents' health insurance), call your local testing center (you can find one here http://www.scarleteen.com/resource/infe ... _resources) and make sure that their policy allows for confidential STI testing--but be aware that this can cost 50-200 dollars per test. There may be some sort of free STD testing clinic in your area--it should show up on google if you search "free STD testing in ____."

Keep in mind that not all STIs will show themselves visually and that wearing a condom, unless you are 100% certain of your partner's sexual history, can prevent contraction of diseases that might not be as obvious as red bumps around your genitals!