Suitable for those with no symptoms but who wish to know if they have underlying infection. Useful for regular or occasional screening or an MOT. As accurate as laboratory testing, but unsuitable for Gonorrhoea or Chlamydia testing if discharge is present.

This is testing for symptomatic patients.

Chlamydia:

In women, chlamydia can cause pain or a burning sensation when urinating, a vaginal discharge, pain in the lower abdomen during or after sex, and bleeding during or after sex or between periods.

In men, chlamydia can cause pain or a burning sensation when urinating, a discharge from the tip of the penis, and pain or tenderness in the testicles.

It is also possible to have a chlamydia infection in your rectum (bottom), throat or eyes

Gonorrhoea:

In women, Gonorrhoea can cause pain or a burning sensation when urinating, a vaginal discharge (often watery, yellow or green), pain in the lower abdomen during or after sex, and bleeding during or after sex or between periods, sometimes causing heavy periods.

In men, Gonorrhoea can cause pain or a burning sensation when urinating, a white, yellow or green discharge from the tip of the penis, and pain or tenderness in the testicles.

It is also possible to have a Gonorrhoea infection in your rectum, throat or eyes.

Men who have sex with men. Robust laboratory panels.

It’s important to take preventative measures to avoid catching HIV or other STIs during sex as the risk is greater for men who have sex with men than for other people. This is because the lining of the anus is more delicate than the lining of a vagina and it is therefore more at risk of becoming damaged.

Insertive anal sex (topping) is generally a lesser risk for HIV than receptive anal sex (bottoming), but both topping and bottoming during unprotected (condomless) anal sex is considered high risk.

Men who have sex with men made up 45% of new HIV diagnoses in 2017 in the UK.

There have also been increases in the number of Syphilis and Gonorrhoea diagnoses including antibiotic-resistant Gonorrhoea. Both of these can be passed on by condomless sex as well as anal sex.

With PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis) being more easily accessible, some people may be putting themselves  at greater risk of catching an STI as PrEP only protects against HIV transmission.

An appointment for cryotherapy of genital warts. Can assist the resolution of warts after one treatment, but can require multiple treatments on occasion. Alternatives are prescribed topical creams. Last resort if these therapies are unsuccessful or if you would prefer a quicker solution.

If you don’t know what you require and need advice on testing or management due a particular exposure/incident/risk – we will assist in guiding you to the most appropriate test/action.