To many of us, the idea of a health check-up can be awkward or embarrassing. So the idea of a sexual health check-up can be downright frightening. After all, it’s not every day someone you barely know asks you intimate details about your sex life or wants to have a look at your private parts. In fact most times there’s no need for an examination at all.
Knowing what to expect and remembering that nothing you say will shock or embarrass the doctor or nurse – they have probably heard it all before – will help make your next sexual health check-up less of a drama.
Do I need a sexual health check-up?
Sexual health check-ups aren’t just for when you have symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI), like a discharge from the vagina or penis, genital blisters or warts, bleeding after intercourse or pain when urinating.
Check-ups can also be useful even if you don’t have symptoms. For example, if you:
- have had unprotected sex with someone new
- are in a relationship and are deciding whether to stop using condoms
- have a partner who has been diagnosed with an STI
- are simply having your yearly sexual health check-up
Most STIs have no symptoms, so regular testing is a sure fire way to make sure STIs are diagnosed fast and treated early.
If you’re not sure you’re at risk of an STI, you can take an online questionnaire such as Time To Test to find out. And don’t worry, it’s completely confidential.
Where do I go?
Your local GP is good place to get a sexual health check-up. But you may prefer to keep this part of your life private from your other health needs, in which case, a specialised service is an option that you may take instead.
Depending on your needs, you can go to a local sexual health or Family Planning clinic, an Aboriginal community controlled health service, a multicultural health centre or a youth clinic – find your closest sexual health clinic here.
Remember you can always ask to see a male or female doctor or nurse.
