STI Tests

About 1 to 5% of men suffer from dyspareunia, or pain during sex. However, men sometimes feel embarrassed about discussing sexual health, which can mean that some men do not say they have painful sex when they do. When we talk about pain during sex, it can mean a variety of things: an itching or burning sensation, pain during ejaculation, general discomfort during sex and rashes or other forms of skin irritations. Men who suffer from dyspareuina may not be able to feel aroused or achieve orgasm.

Is vaginal discharge normal? The short answer is yes. Most women have some kind of discharge every day.

HPV stands for the human papilloma virus, the name for a group of viruses which commonly occur in the skin. Many people have it without ever showing symptoms or developing any problems. HPV is not a type of cancer but it can cause abnormalities in cells which can lead to cancer. 

Gonorrhoea is a common sexually transmitted infection which is passed on during unprotected sex without a condom. It can be caught during oral, vaginal or anal sex and is more commonly known as “the clap.”

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection which is passed on during sexual contact with an infected partner. It can be transmitted during vaginal, oral and anal sex and can also affect the throat and eyes if they have come into contact with genital fluids.  

An at home chlamydia test gives you the added convenience and discretion to get tested in the comfort of your own home. This might be a good option for you if you are unable to get to a clinic or would prefer the added privacy.

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection which is passed on during unprotected sex. It’s more commonly known as “the clap” and is caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It usually affects the genitals but it can also occur in the mouth, rectum or eyes.  

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection which is passed on during sexual contact. It is caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae and was previously referred to as “the clap.” The symptoms are more prominent in men than women so it’s not always possible to tell if you have it.  

Male condoms are the only form of contraception that both prevent pregnancy and protect against some STIs. Most condoms are made of latex, but polyurethane or polyisoprene condoms are available for those who are sensitive to latex. Free condoms are available at contraception clinics sexual health clinics and some GP surgeries.  

Did you know that right after you are infected with HIV you may still test negative for the virus if you were to be tested at that time? There exists what is known as an HIV test window, and it refers to the period of time from when you are first infected to when the virus will actually show up on HIV tests.

You can be tested for HIV in a number of different ways. The most commonly used method is through antibody testing. This is performed with an oral swab, and results can be found in just minutes.

Warts are a skin disease which can occur anywhere on the body though they all originate from the same type of virus. For example, warts found in the foot are termed as plantar warts, while warts found in the genital area are termed as genital warts. Warts located in one area of the body cannot spread to the other parts.

HIV testing has come a long way over the past decade. You might be surprised at how easy and accurate it can be nowadays. One of the biggest changes has been the move from taking blood samples to using an oral swab. This is called an antibody screening test, and it tests the antibodies in your blood for the presence of HIV. Your antibodies are little components of your body that are used to fight infection and disease. If those antibodies have been in contact with the HIV virus, then they will have traces of it in them.

At the height of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, it seemed that information about HIV and AIDS was everywhere. While HIV (the human immunodeficiency virus) is still very much an issue today, advances in drug therapy and longer life expectancies have taken a lot of the media buzz out of the issue, and it is no longer something that is a regular feature on the front pages of the newspaper. However, it seems that our modern need to always be moving on to the next thing may have caused us to forget a bit of the due diligence that is associated with preventing any sexually-transmitted infection, let alone one like HIV, for which there is no cure. The following overview is a reminder of the signs and symptoms that are often associated with an HIV infection, and a reminder of how to reduce your risk.

Chlamydia is the UK’s most prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI), yet thousands of people are unaware that they have it. The disease can be particularly concerning for women, as it can cause infertility and other serious complications if left untreated.  

Chlamydia is often symptomless, making it very difficult to spot. If you have changed sexual partner, and either of you has had sex before, it is a good idea to get tested. A simple swab or urine test, can be used to check for chlamydia and you can even do this test at home. Possible symptoms of chlamydia in men may include: - Pain when passing urine - Burning sensation in the urethra - Cloudy discharge from the penis or anus - Painful and swollen testes - Irritation at the tip of the penis