Sexual health

STI symptoms that need checking

Many people with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) do not get symptoms, so it's worth getting tested even if you feel fine. If you think you have an STI, the earlier you're tested, the sooner treatment can be given if it's needed.

An STI can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex.

STIs can pass between men and women, and from women to women and men to men.

Many STIs can be cured with antibiotics. Some, such as HIV, have no cure, but can be treated to prevent them getting worse.

You cannot tell by looking at someone (including yourself) whether they have an infection, so it's important to get a check-up if you have had unprotected sex or think you might be at risk.

Symptoms

Many people do not notice symptoms when they have an STI, including most women with chlamydia.

If it's left untreated, chlamydia can affect your ability to get pregnant.

Gonorrhoea can also affect fertility. Around 50% of women and 10% of men with gonorrhoea do not have symptoms.

Left untreated, STIs can affect your health. If you have any of the symptoms listed below, get tested.

In women and men:

• pain when you pass urine (pee)
• itching, burning or tingling around the genitals
• blisters, sores, spots or lumps around the genitals or anus
• black powder or tiny white dots in your underwear – this could be droppings or eggs from pubic lice

• yellow or green vaginal discharge
• discharge that smells
• bleeding between periods or after sex
• pain during sex
• lower abdominal pain

• discharge from the penis
• irritation of the urethra (the tube urine comes out of)

Where can i get tested for STIs?

Have safer sex

Always use condoms to help protect yourself from catching or passing on an STI. Buy condoms that have the CE mark or BSI kite mark on the packet.

This means they have been tested to high safety standards. Condoms that do not have the CE mark or BSI kite mark will not meet these standards, so do not use them.