Have you had an STI screening (STD test) lately? Regular check-ups are the key to keeping safe and healthy – for you and your partner or partners.
STI checks don’t have to be awkward or embarrassing. At Craven’s Pharmacy, our sexual health expert Nurse Practitioner will make it an easy 15-minute visit in your lunch break.
Discrete, quick, painless.
Book an appointment now
Should I get tested?
No matter your gender, what’s between your legs, your sexuality, or your age, if you’re sexually active, you should get sexual health check-ups and an STI test every 6 to 12 months. If you have multiple sexual partners you might want to get tested more regularly and you should also have a test if you have a new sexual partner.
If you’re not currently sexually active but have had sex in the past and haven’t had a test since, it’s a good idea to get checked too.
It’s estimated that at least one in 6 Australians will get an STI at some point and it’s possible to have an STI without realising it. Even though lots of people don’t have symptoms, some STIs can cause long-term problems so it’s important to get tested and treated. Some of the long-terms issues include infertility or pregnancy complications, certain cancers, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and neurological and cardiovascular disease.
How much does it cost?
Consultations cost $65, with a rebate available for valid Medicare card holders.
Australian residents who have a valid Medicare card can get their tests processed at our on-site pathology lab for free. We’ll sort it out for you.
If you don’t have a Medicare card, for example if you are not an Australian resident, we can give you a form to get your results processed at pathology labs around the city. Costs vary, so contact your chosen pathology lab directly (e.g. Clinical Labs) to ask about prices.
If you have questions, give us a call on (08) 9325 4375, book online, use our contact form, or walk in store.
STI symptoms & facts
There are a number of different STIs (sexually transmitted infections). STI screenings typically test for:
Chlamydia (caused by Chlamydia trachomatis) and gonorrhoea (caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae) are bacterial infections. People with these infections might have no symptoms. Or they might experience abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis, bleeding between periods or after sex, abdominal pain or pain during sex or urination. Both can cause more serious complications, including infertility if left untreated. But the good news is that both are easily treated with antibiotics.
Syphilis (caused by Treponema pallidum) is also a bacterial infection. It can cause a painless sore at first, then a rash, fever or other flu-like symptoms. If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious – sometimes fatal – problems years after infection, including damage to the heart, brain and nervous system. Syphilis can be treated by a full course of antibiotics.
Genital herpes (caused by the herpes simplex virus) can cause painful blisters, sores or other unpleasant sensations around the genitals, as well as flu-like symptoms and pain when urinating. There is no cure but antiviral medication can help.
The hepatitis B virus can lead to permanent liver damage, cirrhosis, and even cancer. There isn’t a cure but you can get a hepatitis B vaccination at Craven’s Pharmacy.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) if left untreated. You can’t cure HIV, but antiviral medication can reduce virus levels to be undetectable and untransmissible. There is also medication that you can take to reduce your risk of acquiring HIV.
What to do if you have an STI
If your test comes back positive for an STI, don’t panic! Some STIs are easily treated, and others can be managed.
It’s really important to tell your recent sexual partners that you have an STI so that they can also get tested and treated. If you feel awkward or embarrassed, that’s okay. It’s normal to feel a bit awkward, but most conversations are not as difficult as you expect.
If you really don’t want to tell your partners, you can do so anonymously through Let Them Know – a free notification service.
Preventing STIs
Prevention is always better than cure. So practice safe sex, use condoms, and talk with your sexual partners about STIs and safe sex before you get into bed. It might feel a bit awkward, but a good partner will be respectful and it’ll probably be easier than you expect!
Some sexually transmitted infections take a while to show up, so get tested regularly. HPV is not screened for in STI screenings, so consider getting an HPV vaccination if you haven’t had the vaccine already.
Come and chat to us (in private!) for any sexual health support or information.
