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Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections picked up during sex caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites. They are most easily passed on by oral or anal sex, but most can be passed on by bodily contact and through tiny cuts. Symptoms vary between STIs and sometimes there may be no visible symptoms, which means they can be passed on without a person knowing they have it. Therefore if you suspect anything, get it checked out as soon as possible at a GUM Clinic or by your GP. Most STIs are easily treated if spotted early enough, but if not they may lead to more serious health problems.

Practising safer sex (i.e. using protective barriers such as condoms and dental dams and having honest communication) will heavily reduce the chances of catching or passing on an infection. In fact, used properly condoms will will stop transmission of STIs during penetrative sex almost completely. However, if you suspect you have an STI of any kind, the best medical advice is not to have sex at all until you are given the all­clear by a doctor or a clinic. Most STIs can be transmitted through bodily contact or through cuts and not just through penetrative sex, and so there is a substantial risk of transmission even if you are using a condom.

What you need to know about STIs

STIs affect men who have sex with men and women who have sex with women in the same way they affect straight people. These 5 key points provide a summary of what you need to know about STIs:

  1. If infected you won’t always have symptoms

    The difficult thing about STIs is that you won’t always know if you have one. Some STIs don’t have any symptoms or effects for years. These include gonorrhoea, chlamydia and herpes which have no symptoms in 30%, 60%, and 80% of people respectively. This means if you haven’t been checked out you could be passing it on to everyone you have sex with. The only way to make sure you don’t have an STI is not to have sex at all or get regularly checked at a GUM clinic.

  2. STIs left untreated can lead to serious health problems

    Most STIs lead to very serious health problems if untreated for a year or more. Chlamydia in women can lead to PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) which is a cause of infertility and miscarriages. In men it causes infertility problems in half of cases. Syphilis can cause blindness, deafness and heart disease. It is easy for some STIs to go unnoticed, so if you have ever had unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex you should go to a GUM clinic.

  3. Women who have sex with women can get STIs

    ‘It is sometimes thought that sex between women does not really constitute sex at all and therefore does not pose a risk to either party. This is not the case. Women can, and do, exchange fluids, and engage in sexual activity that can have consequences for a woman’s health.’ — Stonewall

    It is true that oral sex is far less risky than penetrative sex in terms of the transmission of diseases but the risk is still there. Many diseases, including gonorrhoea and syphilis, are not only transmittable via oral sex but also through the sharing of sex toys and dildos.

    To ensure safe sex for women who have sex with women, the use of dental dams is recommended, as well as condoms or at least the cleaning of sex toys between uses.

  4. Accidents occur

    Condoms, lube and dental dams are all important in preventing the transmission of STIs. But as with sex between a man and a woman, mistakes can occur. Condoms and dental dams decrease the chances of transmission hugely but if you are sexually active (even if you are using protection) you should have regular check­ups (at least once every 6 months) at a GUM Clinic.

    The best place to find out about the most common STIs is on the web, particularly at sites such as The Terrance Higgins Trust, the NHS website and others. Remember most STIs are treatable if diagnosed early, so the most important thing is to see your GP or a GUM Clinic if you detect any symptoms or you think you might have been exposed to an STI.

  5. Where to find more information about the common STIs

    The best place to find out about the most common STIs is on the web, particularly at sites such as The Terrance Higgins Trust, the NHS website and others. Remember most STIs are treatable if diagnosed early, so the most important thing is to see your GP or a GUM Clinic if you detect any symptoms or you think you might have been exposed to an STI.

    If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV, infection can be prevented if you receive Post­Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) treatment within 72 hours of exposure. PEP is not available at your GP – if you want to ask for treatment, go to a GUM clinic or A&E as soon as possible.

Common Symptoms of an STI

In Women and men:

  • Pain when you pass urine.
  • 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).

In Women:

  • Yellow or green vaginal discharge.
  • Discharge that smells.
  • Bleeding between periods or after sex.
  • Pain during sex.
  • Lower abdominal pain.

In Men:

  • Discharge from the penis.
  • Irritation of the urethra (the tube where urine comes out).

These symptoms don’t necessarily mean that you have an STI, but it’s worth seeing a doctor so that you can find out what’s causing the symptoms, and treat it.