As part of Sexually Transmitted Disease Awareness Month, Planned Parenthood Wisconsin is offering free STD testing at all clinic locations.

The Get Yourself Tested campaign is part of a national effort by Planned Parenthood and other health organizations aimed at combating the spread of STDs, Meg Robertson, a clinical practitioner and director of clinical services for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, said.

According to Planned Parenthood Wisconsin spokesperson Iris Riis, many people – especially young people – don’t realize they are at risk for STDs and never get tested.

Riis said one in two sexually active young people in the U.S. will contract a STD by the time they’re 25, adding that most won’t know it.

Most people don’t show symptoms of STDs even though they may be positive, Robertson said. This can lead them to unwittingly spread STDs, specifically chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Robertson said these infections can lead to serious health complications in some cases. She noted the possibility of infertility and possible spread of infection to other areas.

Anyone may get tested for STDs such as HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea, which are found at higher rates among young people, according to the Planned Parenthood website.

According to Robertson, chlamydia and gonorrhea tests are as simple as urinating in a cup. They also offer a rapid HIV test which yields results in 15 minutes and requires only a finger prick.

Robertson said the most common STD test Planned Parenthood does is for chlamydia and gonorrhea.

In 2012 Wisconsin ranked 29th in reported chlamydia infections, according to the CDC.

Anyone looking to take advantage of the free testing can go to any Planned Parenthood centers. The closest center to the University of Wisconsin campus is located on 2222 South Park Street Suite 210.