Women: STI Screening
Treatment at a STI clinic is confidential and non-judgmental. Most treatments are simple and painless and you do not have to be admitted to hospital. The staff in the clinic are trained to treat sexually transmitted infections in an understanding and helpful way so there is no need for you to feel embarrassed.
Here is a quick rundown of what to expect at a screening:
- The doctor or nurse will ask for personal details such as your name, age and address. Your preferred mode of contact for receiving results should be made clear.
- You will be asked to give details of you sexual history in the form of a sexual health questionnaire. This will include questions about the number of recent partners you have had, whether you have sex with men or women, whether you have had sex with a partner from a high-risk country, sex with someone known to have an STI or a sex worker.
- The nurse or doctor will assess your risk of blood-borne infections by asking about your history of intravenous-drug use, any history of sexual activity with an intravenous-drug user or blood transfusions.
- An assessment of the presence and nature of symptoms will also take place.
- A physical examination will be undertaken to check for the presence of warts, ulcers or other genital, anal or oral lesions.
- The doctor or nurse will also take a blood sample to test for HIV, hepatitis B and C and syphilis.
- A urine test will screen for Chlamydia and gonorrhoea. It is important to note that you should avoid passing urine 90 minutes before hand to ensure the test is accurate. In some cases urine testing is not done as a swab is taken from the cervix (neck of the womb).
- Swabs are also taken from the cervix and vagina. They may also be taken from the anus, mouth and any ulcers of open sores.
- Treatment may be offered during the screening session in some cases, for example in the case of painful herpes or when a partner has tested positive for an STI.
- In some cases referral may be required to a GUIDE clinic or a gynaecologist.