In our society, there's no denying that things out of the ordinary tend to be stigmatized. Whether it be abortions, gender roles, or politics, people can become very judgmental. That being said, the idea of walking into a health clinic to get an STD test for some people can be very scary.

Trust me, I felt the exact same way.

There is a stigma in our society that getting tested for these kinds of things are wrong. I want to clear something up — taking preventative measures to make sure you are as healthy as possible is never wrong. You go to the doctor to get a physical to make sure that you are in good health, why wouldn't you go to the clinic to make sure you are sexually healthy? Sure, using condoms will allow you to make sure you are being safe, but things can happen.

It's important to stay up to date with your health situation, and it's definitely a good idea to be tested for STDs on a yearly basis.

I know that it can be scary, waiting for results that could potentially change your life forever. A positive test could potentially alter your existence for the rest of your life, not to mention potentially damage your self-esteem. There's also a huge stigma behind STD's themselves. People tend to think that having an STD makes you dirty or a slut.

If you're someone who thinks that STDs make someone a slut, please, I'm begging you, rethink.

In this world, people tend to think that they are given the right to judge others without knowing their circumstances. It only takes one time for something that is very life-altering to occur.

For people that are struggling with STDs, I commend you.

I could not imagine living with something that could potentially cause judgment while also affecting your health. It's strange that I even have to say those two words together in a sentence. While someone is battling something that is affecting their health, they shouldn't have to worry about what others will say or think about them. Please, be more gracious and caring.

Now, the next time you go to the doctor, ask them about an STD test. They are not there to judge you, they are there to help you. It is much better to screen yourself and know you are healthy than waiting for something to pop up.