I got tested for STIs at Boston College and you should too

When I scheduled my STI test at the BC health center, I kind of expected the worst. I’d heard that it could take hours, that they might send me all the way to St. Elizabeth’s, or that they’d even flat out tell me that I should just remain abstinent.

I was especially wary because I had a friend be told by a Health Services doctor that it was best for her to just “remain abstinent.” As if that’s going to happen.

I decided to time the experience, in order to give a transparent report on the full encounter.

Here’s the play-by-play:

2:54 PM: I arrive at Health Services for my 3 PM appointment. Because it’s a gynecological appointment, the computer questionnaire is a liiiiittle more extensive, so be prepared to answer honestly!  3:00 PM: I go in for my initial intake questioning. The questions are pretty standard: regularity of periods, sexual history, medical history, medications, allergies, etc. The woman takes my blood pressure, height, and weight. Probably the most frustrating part of the whole experience was that she tells me I have to get a urine sample, and for it I have to have at least an hour of urine in me. Unfortunately, no one told me this when I made my appointment over the phone, and I had just gone to the bathroom about ten minutes before coming there. I am told this means I have to wait an hour so they can do a proper sample (womp womp).

3:12 PM: I go into see Yolanda Hobin, the OB/GYN, who is probably one of the most pleasant health professionals I’ve ever encountered. She is very small in stature and immediately puts me at ease by asking about my major and how my classes are going so far. She also tells me that in lieu of waiting another hour, she can just check my cervix instead of doing a urine sample (phew!).

She also asks if I want to get tested for HIV (which is a blood test), and I say yes. She says this is good, as she thinks everyone should get tested for this once a year.

And with that, the exam starts. If you guys aren’t familiar with a gynecological exam, I won’t bore you with the details, but I will tell you it is quick and dirty.

Literally.

You lie down on one of these bad boys:

And with your feet spread wide in the air, you feel probably your most vulnerable since your last final exam. The good news is it’s done in about 60 seconds.

Dr. Hobin lets me know that I’ll have my results within 48-72 hours.

3:22 PM: I get my blood drawn down the hallway.

3:25 PM: I’m on my merry way! And feeling like a goddamn adult.The whole process pretty much took under 30 minutes.

Let’s face it: we’re all in college, and sex is a part of this process in our lives.

Everyone at Health Services was so sweet, and they had me in and out faster than waiting in the lines at Mac at peak hours.

There is no reason not to get tested, and the feeling after is nothing short of sheer triumph.