What should I do if I think I’ve got an STI?

If you think you have a STI then you should go to your GP or local sexual health clinic. They will have a variety of tests available to confirm whether or not you did.

Most STIs can be successfully and easily treated, but it is important to get any symptoms checked out as soon as possible. The sooner you get checked out the sooner you can be treated, and then the less likely any permanent damages may occur.

What are sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Sexually transmitted infections are infections that are passed through unprotected sex or genital contact. Wearing a condom during sexual intercourse is usually the best way to prevent STIs from being transmitted.

There are a variety of sexually transmitted disease, such as:

• chlamydia
• genital warts
• genital herpes
• gonorrhoea
• HIV
• pubic lice
• syphilis

When should I go to a sexual health clinic?

You should go to the sexual health clinic if any symptoms relating to STIs or STDs occur. In women, these may include:

• yellow or green discharge
• bleeding during or after
• pain during sex
• bleeding between periods

In men, symptoms that can be caused by an STI or STD include:

• discharge from your penis
• testicular pain

In men and women, symptoms that could be STI related include:

• pain whilst peeing
• itching around genitalia
• blistering or sores around the genitals or anus
• black powder or white dots in your undergarments

Although these are some common symptoms, you may not contract them, so you should go to a sexual heath clinic if:

• you have had unprotected sex with a new partner
• your sexual partner has symptoms
• you are planning to get pregnant

If you have any other questions about when you should go to a sexual health clinic then feel free to contact us.