STIs can be transmitted through vaginal sex (penis to vagina contact), oral sex (mouth to genitals contact), anal sex (penis to anus contact), and genital to genital or mouth to genital contact.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
STIs are common and can be passed on during sex or through sexual contact. They can usually be treated at a sexual health clinic.
Check if it's a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
Symptoms of an STI can include:
- An unusual discharge from your vagina, penis or anus
- Pain when peeing
- Lumps or skin growths around your genitals or bottom (anus)
- A rash
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Itchy genitals or anus
- Blisters, sores or warts around your genitals or anus
- Warts in your mouth or throat (very rare)
How soon symptoms appear depends on the type of STI you have. Many STIs have no symptoms, which means you can have an STI without knowing it and infect your partner during sex. The only way to know for sure is to get tested.
STIs can take up to 7 weeks after you have unprotected sex to show up on a test. If you do not have symptoms, it’s best to wait 7 weeks before getting tested.
Find out more about STI testing from Brook, including how long to wait before doing an STI test.
Non-urgent advice: Go to a sexual health clinic if:
- You think you may have an STI
- A sexual partner has symptoms of an STI
- You're worried after having sex without a condom
- You're pregnant with symptoms of an STI
- You're having casual sex without a condom with new partners – you may be at risk of HIV and other STIs
Do not have sex, including oral sex, without using a condom until you've had a check-up or been tested.
Find a sexual health clinic
Why you should go to a sexual health clinic
You can see a GP, but they'll probably refer you to a sexual health clinic if they think you have an STI.
You do not usually need a GP referral or an appointment for a sexual health clinic, but contact the clinic first to check.
Doctors and healthcare professionals are there to help you, so try not to feel uncomfortable about sharing information about your sexual activities or sexuality.
You do not need to give your real name or tell staff the name of your GP surgery if you do not want to. No information about your visit to the clinic will be shared with the GP or anyone else outside the clinic unless you ask for it to be. You can ask to see a female or male doctor or nurse if you wish.
What happens at a sexual health clinic
If you think you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), the doctor or nurse at the sexual health clinic:
- Will ask you about your sex life
- May ask to look at your genitals or anus
- Will tell you what tests they think you need
These tests can include:
- Testing a sample of your pee
- Blood tests
- Testing a sample of cells taken from the urethra (the tube that pee comes out of) using a small cotton bud (swab)
- Testing a sample of cells from inside your vagina or anus using a small cotton bud (swab)
Some clinics offer home testing kits for some STIs. If tests show you have an STI, you should tell your current sexual partner, or partners, and any ex-partners so they can get tested and treated as well. If you do not want to do this, the clinic can usually do it for you without naming you.
Treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) need treatment. The treatment you have will depend on which STI you have. Many STIs are treated with antibiotics. Always finish the course of treatment prescribed for you or it may not work properly. Do not have sex (including oral sex) until you and your partner or partners have finished treatment.
If you need treatment, it’s important to tell your current and previous sexual partner (or partners). Sexual health clinics may be able to help you contact them anonymously.
Common types of sexually transmitted infection (STI)
There are different types of sexually transmitted infection (STI), including:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- Trichomoniasis
- Genital warts
- Genital herpes
- Pubic lice
- Scabies
- Syphilis
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
STIs are passed to another person when someone has sex with an infected partner without a condom or other protection, or when there is skin to skin contact with someone else's genitals. Some of these STIs, but not all, can be passed from pregnant person to baby during the pregnancy, during birth or through breastfeeding.
Bodily fluids that can transmit an STI include semen, vaginal fluids, rectal and anal fluids, blood, and breast milk. It’s important to note that sweat, urine, tears, or saliva will not pass an STI.
Symptoms and testing
The most common symptom of an STI is no symptom at all. Most people infected with an STI will not know it unless they get tested. Some people do experience symptoms.
Common symptoms include:
- Abnormal discharge from the vagina
- Discharge from the penis
- Bumps or sores on or around the genitals or anus
- Painful urination
- Pressure and pain in the lower abdomen
Getting tested for infections can be quick and painless. There isn't a universal test for all infections so a person must tell the provider which infections they would like to get tested for. A health care provider can help a person decide which infections they might be at risk for, and which are less likely.
Some STIs can be tested using either a urine sample (a person pees in a jar) or swabbing the area. Other infections might require a blood test or a finger prick. STI tests are typically covered by insurance, including Medicaid. Some people might have concerns about confidentiality when using their insurance. Free and low-cost testing options are available for people without insurance.