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. Read more here on Women-led protection and contraception options.
Understanding Risk Factors
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.
STI Tests, when to have them, how to have them, and should you have one?
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. You can also read more information on Blood Born Viruses, Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Viral STIs and HIV by following these links. You can also find more information here, including a 30 second quiz to identify if you may be at risk of an STI transmission.
Let's talk about what STI testing includes, so that you can anticipate what may be asked of you, and to ensure you have received comprehensive STI/HIV testing.
- Blood tests are required for HIV, syphilis, Hepatitis B and C
- Urine tests are required for Chlamydia and gonorrhoea
- Swabs can occur depending on site of sexual acts
More information can be found here: What tests do I need? - STI Testing and Prevention - Stay STI Free
How does a GP or Sexual Heath Practitioners work out what type of test I need?
Medical professionals will need to ask you questions to understand the potential STIs or HIV that you may have been exposed to, which informs them as to which tests to prescribe for you. These questions may feel embarrassing or invasive, but they are designed to ensure you receive comprehensive Sexual Health testing.
Questions can include:
- Are you sexually active?
- What is the gender identity of the person/people you have had sex with?
- Do you have oral sex, vaginal sex and/or anal sex?
- What medication do you take?
- Do you have any symptoms that you are concerned about?
- When was the last time you had sex?
- Have you ever been diagnosed with (or thought you had) an STI?
- Have you had a new partner recently?
- Do you use any contraception/condoms?
Find out more here: Find the right STI testing service for you - Play Safe
Where can I get tested?
NSW Health Sexual Health statewide clinics provide free, confidential and specialised sexual health care, including screening, education and counselling , for all priority populations, including those without Medicare. Not all clinics allow walk-ins, so calling ahead to make a booking can be very helpful.
When ringing a publicly funded Sexual Health clinic, the clinician will do a brief assessment over the phone, including asking questions about sexual practices, risk categories, and whether you have symptoms, so it is important to identify as a sexual partner of a Man who has Sex with Men to support your eligibility for service provision. Sometimes, there can be barriers to women accessing sexual health testing and Women Partners have found that saying "My male 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.
Other services that provide HIV/STI screening and other health care include:
· T150 clinic sexual health for trans and gender diverse people
· CheckOut clinic - cervical screening and STI testing for LGBTIQ+ people
· a[TEST] - STI testing service for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men
Online Testing – HIV specific
Dry Blood Spot(DBS) - Free HIV & Hepatitis C test delivered to your home. Available in NSW only.
Rapid HIV home testing kit - for a cost, available across Australia
Free HIV vending machine tests - available in certain locations around Sydney
Stigma Health -online STI/HIV testing portal. Scripts are sent to your phone; you present to a pathology lab for testing, and a Stigma doctor reviews the results before online treatment options are provided to you. This can be an option if you do not have any symptoms, however, as advised by Women Partners medical professionals, if you have any symptoms, including e.g. vaginal discharge, painful urination, pain during sex, genital sores/rashes, swollen lymph nodes particularly in the groin area, pelvic pain, please consult a GP or Sexual Health Clinic in person.
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 male 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. When ringing a publicly funded Sexual Health clinic, the clinician will do a brief assessment over the phone, including asking questions about sexual practices, risk categories, and whether you have symptoms, so it is important to identify as a sexual partner of a Man who has Sex with Men to support your eligibility for service provision.
Blog photo: Photo by Markus Winkler
