Common STIs

Common STIs include:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Trichomoniasis
• Syphilis
• Genital warts
• Genital herpes
• HIV
• Hepatitis B and C
• Pubic lice

Am I at risk of an STI?

You could be at risk of an STI if you:

• Have unprotected sex
• Have sexual contact with multiple partners
• Have a history of STIs
• Have sex with a partner who has an STI
• Have been forced to have any form of sexual activity
• Misuse drugs, or alcohol
• Are a young person (commonly under the age of 25 years)
• Have sex with a partner who has an STI
• Homosexual or bisexual sexual contact
• Have a weak immune system

STIs can be passed on through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex.  Some infections can also be passed on through close skin-to-skin contact.  These include genital warts, genital herpes, and pubic lice.

STI symptoms

• New vaginal discharge or change in vaginal discharge
• Pain on passing urine
• Lower abdominal pain
• Pain during sex
• Bleeding between periods
• New lumps, spots, rashes or blisters down below or around the anus or buttocks
• A new rash
• …even a new itch!

Some women may not have any symptoms, so it’s always a good idea to get tested if you have unprotected sex, whether you have symptoms or not.

Symptoms of a urine infection can mimic those of an STI, which is why we advise that if you are sexually active, and experience symptoms of a urine infection, particularly if the symptoms keep coming back, it’s good practice to have an STI test.

Important facts about STIs

• Remember, you may not have any symptoms, so it’s always a good idea to get tested if you have unprotected sex, whether you have symptoms or not.
• The pill, the patch, coils, depot, and implant are designed to prevent an unwanted pregnancy but will not protect you against an STI.
• To reduce your risk of getting an STI, use a barrier method of contraception each and every time you have sex from start to finish: This means using either a male or female condom.  REMEMBER, even condoms are not 100% STI proof as they can split, or fall off.
• The risk of getting pregnant by withdrawing the penis just before ejaculation is as high as 20-30%. Don’t take the chance!
• You can’t get rid of an STI by using alcohol or detergent, or strong cleaning fluids in the vagina.
• STIs do not survive very long outside the body so you are very unlikely to get an STI from surfaces (like toilet seats), swimming pools, clothes, or kissing.
• Do not have sex if you have a confirmed STI that has not been treated. You can start having sex once BOTH you and your sexual partner have completed treatment.
• It can take 2 weeks to months before symptoms of an STI show up. During this time, you can still pass on the infection.
• If you have an STI, it is important to notify your sexual partner to reduce the risk of being re-infected, and the risk of passing it on. Furthermore, by notifying your sexual partner, it means they can get tested and if necessary, get treated so that they don’t develop any complications later on.