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Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are infections you can get from having unprotected vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex, or skin to skin contact with someone. Unprotected sex is when you have sex without a condom, or an oral dam.
Lots of STIs don’t have obvious symptoms — so it’s important to get tested for STIs before and after unprotected sex, or anytime you have sex with a new person. The best time to test is 2 weeks or more after having sex with a new person. You can’t tell for sure if someone has an STI, or if you have an STI, without doing an STI test.
You can get STI tests at our clinic. If you have an STI, we can help you treat it.
Lots of people who have sex will get an STI at some point in their life. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Some STIs can be dangerous — especially if they are not diagnosed or treated. That’s why using condoms or oral dams, and doing regular STI testing, is a normal and important part of a healthy sex life.
In some countries, STIs are called sexually transmissible diseases (STDs).
Before your test, one of our nurses or doctors will ask you a few questions like:
Our nurses and doctors ask people these questions all the time, and they have heard every kind of answer. It’s okay to feel a bit embarrassed — but you don’t have to worry. Your nurse or doctor is only interested in working out what kind of STI tests you might need to get.
What does an STI test involve?
An STI test usually involves taking samples from the parts of your body you use when you have sex. Samples can be taken from your vagina, mouth, and anus with a swab — basically a long cotton bud. You only need to take samples from the places you use when you have sex.
Either you, or a nurse or doctor, will take these samples.
If you use your penis for sex, you will be asked for a urine sample — so it’s important not to mimi before your appointment.
Sometimes, you may also need to get an external, or internal, examination to see if there are visible signs of an infection. Your nurse or doctor will also swab any sores, ulcers, or discharge that you have.
STI Symptoms
Unusual discharge from your vagina, penis or anus
Pain when peeing
Lumps or skin growths around your genitals or anus
A rash
Unusual vaginal bleeding
Itchy genitals or anus
Blisters and sores around your genitals or anus
Your test samples will be sent to a laboratory for testing. You should be contacted with your test results within 10 days. Please note we will only contact you if your sample has returned a positive result; otherwise no news is good news.
How do you protect yourself from STIs
If you are going to have unprotected sex, it’s really important that you, and the person you are going to have sex with, both get STI tests before and after sex.
You never have to have unprotected sex with anyone. It is always wrong to make someone do anything sexual that they don’t want to do.
Condoms and oral dams can protect against STIs. It’s a good idea to make sure that you know how to use them correctly — and that you use them every time you have sex.
Treating STIs
Most STIs can be treated with antibiotics — this is an easy and effective treatment for many STIs.
Other STIs can be treated with creams or tablets.
Some STIs cannot be cured, but they can still be treated.
Our nurses or doctors can prescribe you the treatment you need.
References: STI testing in NZ | Key things to know | Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
