Regular and comprehensive Sexual Health Screening should be incorporated into a healthy sex life. However, for many people, contemplating a sexual health screening fills them with anxiety, shame and embarrassment. Some women like to think of it similar as the other preventative health testing women can have - a mammogram for breast cancer, Pap smear for cervical health, blood checks for cholesterol levels- an STI test isn't so different as it's all designed to help save your health and your life.
Many STIs are not symptomatic, and can lie within the body for years without you being aware. Long term health impacts of untreated STIs can vary, but women's reproductive health is far more likely to be impacted by untreated STIs. We know from supporting many Women Partners clients to take control of their sexual health that it is an empowering step in the healing journey of betrayal and infidelity.
Understanding the risk factors for STI/HIV transmission is very important as your sexual health is only as safe as your sexual health partner's sex practices. Many Women Partners clients have often felt that their sexual health was safe as they believed they were in a long-term, monogamous relationship. So the added complexity and betrayal of potentially being at risk of a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) or HIV is extraordinarily overwhelming. Within the complexities of infidelity and betrayal, having your own sexual health testing is often the only way of being certain your sexual health is safe.
Some of the common STIs in NSW include chlamydia and gonorrhoea but syphilis and monkeypox are increasing in transmission rates, particularly in Men who have Sex with Men. Learn more about Syphilis here, and for Monkey Pox learn more here. NSW Health's Play Safe website have released a comprehensive website discussing the most common STIs, including whether they are symptomatic or not, and where to get tested. More information can be found here, including a 30 second quiz to identify if you may be at risk of an STI transmission.
Women Partners are here to support you through the journey of taking back control of your Sexual Health from knowing from where to get tested including at women’s health centres, publicly funded sexual health clinics and at your GP. Sometimes there can be barriers to women accessing sexual health testing and Women Partners have found that saying "My partner is having sex with other men, as well as me, and I believe I may be at risk of STI/HIV transmission and would like a comprehensive Sexual Health test as a result" can reduce these barriers.
Contact Women Partners for support regarding Sexual Health support.
