Learn
Healthysexuals learn more about their sexual health from reliable sources.
Educating yourself about your health issues is an important part of managing your health.
We receive 'health' information from many sources - websites, social media, TV, support groups, influencers, family and friends, adverts, billboards. Working out which information is trustworthy is not always easy.
The best place to find reliable and accurate health information is from healthcare professionals. This is particularly true for sexual health information.
When searching for health information, it is important to consider the following things to help assess if the information is accurate and reliable:
Credible source?
Anyone can create a website. Look for health information from peak industry bodies (e.g. Department of Health) and people with qualifications in the area.
Evidence informed?
Look for reputable medical research that can back up any information or claims.
Up to date?
Check the date the information was updated. Some health advice and information can change quite rapidly. It is important you get current advice.
Bias?
Check who is funding the information and what their purpose is. Anything that is trying to sell you a product or service is not medical advice and will have a bias.
Sensationalised?
News articles and adverts can exaggerate and sensationalise information to try to get your attention. Emotive headlines, dramatic pictures, statistics and information taken out of context can all result in you getting inaccurate information. Look for the original source of any information to get the full picture.
Where can I find reliable information on STIs?
Healthy WA offers reliable health information for Western Australians on a range of topics including sexual health. For more detailed information on different STIs and blood-borne viruses, see:
How will I know if I have an STI?
Many people do not experience any symptoms at all which is why STIs can spread very easily. The only way to be sure is by having regular STI testing. It is recommended that you get tested once a year or each time you change sexual partners.
STIs can sometimes cause the following symptoms:
- discharge from the genitals
- pain when peeing
- pain during sex
- unusual sores / lumps / rashes
- unusual bleeding patterns
Symptoms can sometimes go away by themselves but this does not mean that the infection isn’t still in your body causing harm. If STIs are left untreated it can make it harder for you to have a baby. If you are pregnant with an STI it can cause harm to your baby.
How are STIs treated?
STIs caused by bacteria can be treated and cured with antibiotics (although it is important to remember than you can get reinfected with an STI).
STIs caused by viruses, such as genital herpes, genital warts, HIV and hepatitis B can be effectively treated to manage symptoms.
It is important that you let your sexual partners know that you have tested positively for an STI so they can get tested and treated as well.
STIs often don't have any symptoms, so they might not know if they have an infection and, if left untreated, STIs can cause long term health complications.
Partner notification is an important way of controlling the spread of STIs and can also ensure you don't get reinfected by your partner.
Most people like to be told in person. Discuss it when you are feeling relaxed and confident, and not before having sex.
There are other ways to tell your partner such as sending a personal or anonymous email or SMS through sites like:
Better to know (external site) - specifically designed for Aboriginal people
The drama downunder (external site) - specifically designed for men who have sex with men
Yes. You always have the right to say no to sex, even if you have already started to have sex with someone.
It doesn’t matter if you are naked or if you are midway through sex, your partner should respect your decision and stop when you indicate you are no longer consenting.
If your partner continues after you have withdrawn your consent, then this is called sexual assault and it is against the law.
If you have been sexually assaulted you can contact the Sexual Assault Resource Centre on (08) 6458 1828 or free call on 1800 199 888.
It is BOTH partners' responsibility to ensure that you have safer sex and use contraception to prevent both unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
It is both partners responsibility to think about and discuss contraception.
Have a look at the Talk page for tips on how to talk to your partner about sexual health.
It is important to talk to your partner about using condoms before you have sex. Some people seem to think that condoms can be a passion killer and 'get in the way of the moment' but using a condom means you don't have to worry and you can just focus on having fun and pleasure.
It can be as simple as pulling out a condom and saying “condom?” before you’re about to have sex. It’s a good idea to have your own supply of condoms handy and to be prepared with a few go-to lines depending on your partner’s response.
You could try:
“I’ll bring the condoms.”
“Don’t worry if you don’t have a condom with you, let’s go get some” or “It’s ok I’ve got some.”
“Condoms aren’t a passion killer, I’m creative!”
“Sometimes people don’t even know they have an STI, so it’s better to be safe.”
“Here, let me show you how to put it on.”
“I want to protect both of us.”
Have a look at our Talk page for some more tips on how to talk to your partner about safer sex.
You might not know if you have an STI as there are often no signs or symptoms. If you have ever had unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal sex, you should get tested for STIs.
Condoms are not 100 per cent effective against all STIs, so even if you have used protection it is always best to get tested, especially when starting a new sexual relationship.
You can get tested at a doctor’s clinic.
Many hospitals, sexual health clinics, and non-government services offer confidential, free tests for STIs.
You can find a clinic here
You can also take a test to see if you are eligible to receive a free STI test at a PathWest clinic.
Most clinics require a Medicare card. When making an appointment, check whether a Medicare card is required.
A person 15 years and over can get their own card so when visiting a Medicare office bring identification.
The cost of an STI test can vary depending on where you go for your test. There are a lot of low-to-no cost options for an STI test in WA.
Try our free online test. This is a quick, easy and discreet STI self-assessment.
If your assessment suggests you need a STI test, you can instantly complete a simple form which you can then take into any PathWest Centre in WA for a free test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
Sexual Health Quarters (SHQ) is a clinic located in Northbridge offering a range of professional sexual health services including STI testing.
The drop-in clinic is open from 1.30pm to 4.00pm on Mondays to Thursdays for people who aren’t experiencing any symptoms. These are bulk billed for people under 25, or concession or health care card holders. For others there is a gap fee of $20.
Some GPs offer bulk billing services. This means they bill Medicare directly and you pay no fee.
Health Engine allows you to search for a doctor in your area. Tick the “bulk bill” box to search for doctors that offer free services.
Most doctors will test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea and may also offer blood tests for syphilis and blood-borne viruses such as HIV. Talk to your doctor to find out exactly what they are testing you for.
Visit our Find a Clinic search for more clinics in your local area that offer free services.
The most common way to test for an STI such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea is a simple self-collected vaginal swab or urine test.
Testing may also involve a throat or anal swab if you have had unprotected oral or anal sex.
Depending on your sexual behaviours and risk, a blood test to check for other STIs such as HIV and syphilis may be required.
You can get test at any doctor, sexual health clinic or online.
If any of your test results are positive, your doctor will explain what treatment is available.
STIs caused by bacteria (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis) are usually able to be treated and cured by antibiotics.
STIs caused by viruses (herpes, genital warts, HIV) can be treated to manage symptoms and lower the risk of passing the virus to partners.
It is important to let your sexual partners know that you have tested positively for an STI so that they can get tested and treated as well. Your doctor can help you to do this.
Many doctors will ask you to come in for your STI results. If any of your test results are positive, your doctor will explain what treatment is available.
STIs caused by bacteria (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis) are usually able to be treated and cured by antibiotics.
STIs caused by viruses (herpes, genital warts, HIV) can be treated to manage symptoms and lower the risk of passing the virus to partners.
It is important to let your sexual partners know that you have tested positively for an STI so that they can get tested and treated as well.
Your doctor can help you to do this.
Without early treatment infections can cause serious issues in the reproductive system.
For people with a uterus, infections can spread to the cervix, uterus (womb) and fallopian tubes. This is called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and can cause infertility.
For people with a penis, untreated STIs can lead to prostatitis (infection and swelling of the prostate gland), epididymo-orchitis (infection in the sperm-conducting tubes and testicles) and infertility.
During pregnancy, STIs can also be passed on to the baby, causing serious health problems.
For more information about STIs visit HealthyWA (external site).
Condoms are 98 per cent effective at protecting against most STIs.
Some STIs, such as herpes, genital warts and syphilis, can be spread from skin-to-skin contact. Condoms can only protect the skin that is covered, so if any sores or bumps are uncovered by the condom, these STIs can still be spread.
Regular STI testing is important for anyone who is having sex. It is recommended that you get tested once a year or each time you change sexual partners.
No. The oral contraceptive pill does not protect a person against STIs. It only works to prevent pregnancy.
Other contraceptives such as implants and IUDs, do not protect against STIs.
Condoms are the only form of contraception that prevent most STIs and pregnancy.
Some STIs can be vaccinated against, such as mpox, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and HPV, the virus that can cause genital warts and most genital cancers.
Vaccinations help you to develop immunity so that if you are exposed to these viruses your body is able to protect you.
Each virus has it's own vaccine and some require more than one dose to be most effective. Most vaccinations are available for free through the childhood immunisation schedule and school-based immunisation. Certain vaccinations are also available at community pharmacies.
While there is no vaccine for HIV, people who are considered at risk of getting HIV can take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to protect them and prevent HIV infection. For more information about PrEP visit Protect.
Visit HealthyWA (external site) for further information on immunisation.
The right fit ensures the condom is doing its job of effectively preventing pregnancy and STIs and helps to make sex more comfortable and enjoyable.
Finding a condom that is long enough is not usually a problem as condoms are very stretchy! Condom sizes are based on width (sometimes called girth) which can sometimes cause confusion.
Condom packaging usually includes a nominal width, which is the width of the condom at it open end. Use the nominal width and the width of the erect penis to find a good fit. It is a good idea to look at the measurement as condom sizes vary across brands; what is regular in one brand might be large in another brand.
A good fit should feel snug – not too tight so it feels constrictive, and not too loose so it might slip off. If you find a condom doesn’t fit well, take note of the width measurement and go up or down next time.
Once you have the right size, have fun trying new condoms and find the ones right for you and your partner/s – flavoured, ribbed, ultra-thin, textured – there are lots of options!