November 22, 2020November 22, 2020

Testing For & Treating STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections)

by in Women's Health

•      There are many types of STIs, most are curable, all are treatable.

•      Condoms are your best protection against STIs. Condoms help protect you and your partner from STIs.

•      Condoms do not protect against all STIs that’s why it is important to have regular STI tests. Condoms are recommended every time you have vaginal and anal sex.

•      Condoms are available from supermarkets, pharmacies/chemists, sexual health and family planning clinics.

•      STI testing is available from general practice clinics, family planning clinics, community health centres, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, sexual health clinics and some headspace clinics. Better Health Channel includes a list of testing locations across Victoria.

•      If you’re sexually active, you should get an STI test at least every 12 months.

•      Get an STI test if you notice symptoms, after condomless sex, if the condom broke or slipped off during sex, when starting a new relationship, or when deciding to stop using condoms with a regular partner.

•      Have an STI test before you start trying to get pregnant and start a family. Women can pass syphilis infections to their babies during pregnancy. Syphilis can cause miscarriage and serious birth defects in the baby, including stillbirth.

•      Many STIs can have no signs or symptoms, so there is a chance that you or your partner could be infected without knowing it. That’s why it is so important to have an STI test once a year so you and your partners can treat any infections.

•      STIs can be transferred through skin-to-skin contact and/or sexual fluids (such as semen and vaginal fluid).

•      If left untreated, STIs can cause long term effects on the body and your reproductive health.

•      STIs don’t discriminate by age, location, gender, sexuality or lifestyle. Anyone who is having sex can get an STI.

•      People between 18-30 years account for the largest number of gonorrhoea and chlamydia cases compared with other age groups.

•      For people aged 25 and under living in a regional and rural location in Victoria: Test me is a free service – you can order a chlamydia test online.