Getting checked for sexually transmitted infections

More people in Canberra are getting Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis.

Important information

• STIs often don’t have symptoms, so anyone who’s had sex could have an STI without even knowing it.
• The only way to know is to get a sexual health check.
• Getting an STI check is quick and easy.
• If you’ve had vaginal, oral or anal sex, you’re at risk of catching an STI – even if you use a condom.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually Transmissible Infections, known as STIs, are passed through oral, vaginal or anal sex or when sharing sex toys.

They happen when viruses, bacteria or parasites pass from one person to another during sex or intimate skin-on-skin contact, like oral sex.

STIs include:

• chlamydia
• gonorrhoea
• syphilis
• genital herpes (HSV)
• genital warts or human papillomavirus (HPV)
• hepatitis B
• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• trichomoniasis
• pubic lice

Go to Canberra Health Services' sexual health section to search for more information these infections.

How an STI check works

Getting an STI check is quick and easy and is a normal part of a healthy sex life.

Most STIs are easily treated, so the earlier you get checked, the quicker you can get the right treatment.

There are quite a few different checks you can have.

Peeing in a cup is the most common test for common STIs, like chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

Sometimes the doctor or nurse may request to take a swab from the back of your throat. You may also have a vaginal or anal swab which can be performed by yourself or the doctor or nurse you see. Sometimes you may also have a blood test to detect STIs, like syphilis.

Your health professional will explain which test is the best for you.

It may feel a bit awkward but remember, there’s nothing your doctor or nurse hasn’t seen before. Their main priority is your health. The sooner you get in and have it sorted, the better it will be for you and your partner.

Your STI results are confidential. Occasionally, we might collect data for reporting, but it’s just numbers. Your name, address and other identifiable information is never provided.

Where you can get an STI check

Getting an STI check is simple and is a normal part of a healthy sex life.

In the ACT, you can be checked for STIs at:

• any GP
• Canberra Sexual Health Centre
• Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT
• The Junction Youth Health Service
• Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services
• Walk-in Centres (chlamydia and gonorrhoea checks only)
• STRIP Clinic at Meridian (targeting LGBTIQA+ communities)

Use the service finder below to find the most convenient, free or low-cost centre near you.

How often you should get checked

If you’re having sex, you need to get an STI check.

Sexual health is different for everyone, but at a minimum you should get checked at least every 12 months and after every new partner – even if you are in a long term relationship and even if you use condoms.

If you regularly have sex with new or different partners or have other sexual health needs, you may need to get checked more often. Speak with your health care provider about how often to get an STI check and what checks you need.

You don’t need to be experiencing any symptoms of an STI or feel unwell to get an STI check.

Getting an STI check is part of being in control of your health, and taking care of yourself and your sexual partner/s.

Make a sexual health check a normal part of your routine, just like visiting the dentist or booking your car for a service.

STI symptoms

It’s important to know that STIs often don’t have symptoms.

This means that anyone can pass one on without even knowing. It also means you can’t tell if someone has one by looking at them or by asking if they feel like they’ve got one.

STI symptoms they can include:

• unusual discharge from the genitals or anus, including bleeding
• a sore, wart, lump, rash or blister on the genitals or around the anus
• pain and difficulty passing urine
• bad pain in the pelvic or lower abdomen area
• sore dry throat
• conjunctivitis (eye inflammation)
• flu-like symptoms

Some people may also experience:

• painful or swollen testicles
• discomfort or irritation at the tip of the penis from the urethra
• pain during sex
• painful, irregular periods and/or bleeding between periods or after sex

Sometimes people may get symptoms, but they disappear. This does not mean the infection has gone away. You remain infected until you receive treatment so it’s important to get checked no matter how you feel.

What to do if you have an STI

If caught early, STIs can be easy to treat. The earlier you detect it the better for your health. If you have an STI, you’ll have to:

• Press pause on sex for a moment.
• Get treated. You’ll want to avoid passing the infection on to your sexual partners.
• Tell your sexual partners. They’ll need to be tested too and possibly treated to avoid passing it back to you or to another partner.

It’s important to tell your current or past sexual partners so they get tested and treated, to help stop the spread of STIs.

Your doctor or sexual health nurse can discuss with you the best way to inform contacts. If you have any difficulties in contacting sexual partners, your healthcare provider or a sexual health clinic may be able to assist.

There are also online services that can help you:

• For anyone with an STI diagnosis go to Let Them Know.
• For men who have sex with men go to The Drama Down Under.
• For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people go to Better to Know - Better to Know.

Treating an STI

Many STIs are easily treated once they’re diagnosed. Treatments for different types of STIs can include:

• antibiotics for the most commonly diagnosed STIs – chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis
• medicated shampoos for pubic lice

Viruses, like genital herpes, HIV, hepatitis B and HPV do not have a cure, but in most cases, there are treatments to help control the growth of the virus and help prevent symptoms and onward transmission to a sexual partner.

If you don't get treated

If left untreated, STIs can cause long-term health problems, like chronic pain, miscarriages and infertility, which are harder to treat. It's also important to know that being checked and/or treated for STIs doesn’t stop you from getting them again.

Untreated STIs can lead to:

• pelvic inflammatory disease
• painful infection in the testicles
• infertility
• miscarriages
• birth defects
• infection in the joints (septic arthritis) and brain (meningitis)
• damage to body tissues, including the brain, heart, large blood vessels, the spinal cord, skin and bones – leading to disability and death
• a person’s baby becoming very sick
• neonatal death.

Most STIs don’t have symptoms—the only way to know if you have one is to get checked.

Reducing your risk

The best way to reduce your risk of getting an STI is to use condoms and get checked at least every year, and after every new partner.

Unprotected sex with one person isn’t just with one person. That’s why using a condom or dental dam every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex is so important! It’s the only way to protect yourself from most STIs during sex.

Condoms act as a physical barrier to prevent transmission of a range of STIs, like chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis. They can also prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Change the condom every time you change the type of sex you’re having and throw condoms away after each use. A dental dam, which is a flat square of latex, can also be used when having oral sex by placing it over the vulva, vagina or anus.

If you have a new sexual partner, you might discuss the possibility of each of you having a sexual health check before you have sex.

If you or your partner have been diagnosed with an STI, you should ensure you both access and complete treatment before you decide to have sex without condoms.

Free condoms and lubricant

You can also pick up free condoms and lubricant in the ACT at:

• Community Health Centres – located in Belconnen, Dickson, Gungahlin, Tuggeranong and Woden
• Canberra Sexual Health Centre – located at the Canberra Hospital
• Walk-In Centres – located in Belconnen, Gungahlin, Tuggeranong and Woden
• Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT) – located in Canberra city
• Meridian – located in Turner.

ACT sexual health services