Testing for and treating sexually transmitted infections

Have you noticed a problem? Do you want to make sure you’re clear?

We offer comprehensive testing for all sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to everyone.

Remember - some STIs don’t have do not have any symptoms - so if in doubt, get checked!

Here are some common symptoms, how we can help and what to expect from an STI check.

Symptoms that you may be concerned about include:

Women

change in vaginal discharge, e.g. colour, smell, amount
itching
needing to wee a lot
discomfort when urinating
pelvic pain or pain when having sex
heavier periods
bleeding in between your periods, or after sex
ulcers or sores
lumps on the skin

Men

discomfort when urinating
needing to wee a lot
discharge (fluid) coming from the tip of the penis
redness or itching
ulcers or sores
lumps on the skin
pain in the testicles
if you’ve been having anal sex – change in bowel habit e.g. pain, constipation or diarrhoea, blood or mucus in your stool.

Infections we test for include:

We offer testing and treatments for all STIs and other genital infections at our clinics. For more details, click the links below (these will open PDF files).

What our tests involve:

The type of tests we offer depends on whether you have symptoms or not.

Consultation

If you have no symptoms…

There’s no need to see a doctor, but you will be seen by one of our specialist nurses or technicians.

Women

You will be given a swab to take yourself in the toilet – this tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. This involves inserting a small cotton bud into the entrance of the vagina and rotating the swab a few times against the walls of your vagina
We will do a blood test for HIV and syphilis, and hepatitis A, B or C in some cases
You don’t need to wait for your results in the clinic – we will text them to you, usually within about a week

Men

We may take a swab from the tip of the penis, and look at it under a microscope there and then in the clinic
You will give us a urine sample, which we will send to the hospital lab to test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea
We will take a blood sample for HIV and syphilis, and in some cases hepatitis viruses
You may need to wait in the clinic for the results of your swab test.
The urine and blood results will be texted to you, usually within about a week.

REMEMBER: PLEASE DON’T PASS URINE FOR AT LEAST TWO HOURS BEFORE YOU ARE SEEN

Swabs

If you have symptoms…

You will be seen by a doctor or a nurse practitioner.

Women

We will do a full genital examination using a speculum, and take several swabs from the vagina and cervix (neck of the womb). Sometimes we also examine your womb by performing a vaginal examination
We can test for non-STIs such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and thrush, as well as STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas and herpes
We may ask you for a urine sample
We will take a blood sample for HIV and syphilis, and in some cases the hepatitis viruses
You will need to wait in the clinic for the results of the immediate tests, and the other results will be texted to you, usually within about a week
If we think you need treatment for anything, we will give it to you before you go.

Men

We will do a full genital examination, examining the genital skin, testicles, penis, and take a swab from the tip of the penis
If you are a man who has been receiving anal sex, we can examine your rectum (just inside your bottom), and take swabs for STIs
We will ask for a urine sample to test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea
We will take blood samples for HIV and syphilis, and in some cases hepatitis viruses
You will need to wait in the clinic for the results of the immediate tests, and the other results will be texted to you, usually within about a week
If we think you need treatment for anything, we will give it to you before you go.

REMEMBER: PLEASE DON’T PASS URINE FOR AT LEAST TWO HOURS BEFORE YOU ARE SEEN

Microscope

Chaperones

We always try to offer a chaperone during an intimate examination. A chaperone is another member of staff who is present during the examination. Usually, if you are a woman, the chaperone will also be female. If you would like a chaperone, please just ask.

Image: swab kit or health advisor talking to client (photo)