If you are worried you may have symptoms relating to a sexually transmitted infection (STI), the sooner you get tested, the better.
You can request a postal STI self-testing kit or arrange an appointment at one of our clinics.
If you are not showing any symptoms but think you may have an STI, the following timeframes for testing should be observed:
It is not normal for anything other than urine or semen to come out of your penis. If you have a discharge, which can vary from clear or grey to bright green, then you may have an infection.
Causes of discharge from the penis include:
Vaginal discharge is normal in women. Throughout the month this can vary in colour and consistency depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle.
If your discharge changes however, you may have an infection. Symptoms to check are:
Infections that can cause an abnormal vaginal discharge include:
Most women have a menstrual cycle which could be regular or irregular, where your period could range from every two weeks to several months. If you bleed after sex or between your period, it may be due to the following:
If you have itching around your genitals, possible causes include:
Pain in the tummy
Pelvic pain, pain low down in the tummy or deep pain during sex could relate to a problem with a STI.
If you experience any of these symptoms, or abnormal vaginal discharge, it may be due to:
Lumps and bumps around the genital area are not uncommon due to this area being covered in hair. It is possible you may be suffering from a blocked hair follicle or blocked gland for instance.
Some people have small round lumps around the head of their penis, these are normal.
There are parts of the vagina where it is also normal to have lumps. These are likely to be part of the opening to the vagina.
While there are lumps and bumps that are perfectly normal, you should also keep an eye out for anything unusual.
Sexually transmitted conditions that cause lumps on the genitals include:
Lumps and swellings in the testicles are a relatively common symptom in boys, men and anyone with testicles and can have a number of different causes.
The vast majority of testicular lumps and swellings are caused by benign (non-cancerous) conditions that may not need treatment.
Epididymitis is an inflammation of the coiled tube, called the epididymis, at the back of the testicle. The epididymis stores and carries sperm. Males of any age can get epididymitis and this may be linked to an STI.
Sexually transmitted conditions that cause lumps on the testicles include:
The testicles (balls) should not be painful. Some men experience very severe pain as well as redness and swelling of the scrotum (ball bag or sack).
Testicle pain can often be a sign of a STI, but not always. The causes of testicle pain can be either infectious or non-infectious. STIs which most commonly cause testicle pain are:
STIs can cause pain, discharge or bleeding from the anus, usually as a result of direct exposure. However, people can get rectal chlamydia and gonorrhoea without having anal sex.
Causes of discharge, pain and bleeding from the anus includes:
Genital ulcers are small wounds that can form on your vagina, penis or anus. The most common cause is sexually transmitted infections, but there are many other potential causes.
If you have blisters or ulcers on your genital area, you may have an infection called genital herpes. This can also present as an itch, or small cuts, on the genital area. Genital ulcers can also be caused by syphilis.
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