Sexually transmitted infections
Doctors at the UoM Health Service are both knowledgeable and experienced in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI’s).
The University of Melbourne Health Service recommends that you make an appointment to see a doctor for a sexual health check if:
- You have had unprotected sexual intercourse with one or more partners
- If your partner has had unprotected sex with a person other than you
- If you experience any symptoms including;
- Pain when passing urine
- Itching or irritation in the genital area
- Pain during sex
- Blisters in the genital area OR
- Unusual discharge from your penis or vagina
What is an STI?
A sexually transmitted infection, also known as an STI, is a bacterial, viral or parasitic infection that can be contracted during sexual activity. This can be through vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex or anal-oral sex. Anybody who is sexually active can be infected if they do not practice safe sex. If you have unprotected sex with a person infected with an STI, you are at high risk of catching that infection.
For further information about STI’s please make an appointment to see one of our doctors and refer to the links below.
Types of STI’s
There are many sexually transmitted infections prevalent amongst both the heterosexual and homosexual community. These include chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes, scabies, pubic lice (crabs), hepatitis and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).
If you do not have any signs or symptoms related to one of these disease it is still recommended that you talk to your doctor about having a check–up as some of these diseases may not display signs or symptoms until later in the disease.
For further information please make an appointment to see one of our doctors and you can also refer to the links below.
www.sti.health.gov.au
Prevention of STI’s
There are contraception methods such as condoms and dental dams which can be used to help prevent contracting or spreading STI’s to sexual partners.
For more information about STI’s please refer to the above sections on STI.
Also for further information regarding contraception please refer to contraception options.