Nordhaven Clinic

STIs

STI's are infections that are transmitted through sexual contact. You can get an STI by sexual intercourse but also through oral sex, anal sex or contact with bodily fluids such as sperm, saliva, blood, and vaginal discharge.

Some of the things that increase a person's chances of getting an STI are:

Lots of sexual partners - People who have sexual contact with many different partners are more at risk than those who stay with the same partner.

Unprotected sex - Latex condoms are the only form of contraception that reduce your risk of getting an STI, and must be used every time. The pill, implants, coils, and other contraceptive methods may help prevent pregnancy, but they don't protect a person against STIs.

The best way to protect yourself from getting an STI is using condoms.

Everyone who has sex is at risk of an STI and you can’t always tell if someone has an STI because most people have no symptoms or signs of an infection. If you have had unprotected sex, it might be worth having a check up.

We are now trialling a mail-in test kit system for non-symptomatic STI testing.

If you would like routine screening for chlamydia and gonorrhoea- the two most common STIs in Scotland- please fill out this form and a kit will be posted to you.

The form takes about 5 minutes to fill out. It asks some very personal questions about your sexual history. These responses give our team essential information about what materials are appropriate for your kit and what your exposure risk level has been. Please be assured that only the most relevant information will be kept in the Nordhaven Clinic records, and all form responses will be otherwise deleted.

If you are currently having symptoms that you suspect may be related to an STI, please come to our Nordhaven Clinic Drop-In, currently on Tuesdays from 15:30-17:30pm. If these times don’t work for you, you can contact our reception to arrange an alternative appointment.

Chlamydia & Gonhorrhoea

Chlamydia

Both men and women can get Chlamydia through unprotected sex (sex without a condom)
It is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections
Many people who have Chlamydia have no symptoms if untreated
It may cause painful complications or even infertility
If you have no symptoms, you do not need to be examined
Is treated with antibiotics

For more detailed information, please visit: Chlamydia

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a common infection passed during vaginal, oral or anal sex
It can be painful and cause serious problems such as infertility
It can cause a discharge from the vagina or penis and pain passing urine.
Less commonly, it can cause soreness in the testicles of men or abdominal pain in women
It is tested by taking a swab test or by a urine test in men
Gonorrhoea is treatable by antibiotics

For more detailed information, please visit: Gonorrhoea

Genital Herpes

Caused by a virus spread by skin to skin contact (genital or oral)
Some people carrying the virus have no symptoms or signs
Some people will get blisters, pain or burning in the genital area during an outbreak
It is possible to pass on the virus even if you have no symptoms or signs
Treatment is possible to shorten an outbreak
Further outbreaks may occur
Can be important during pregnancy

For more detailed information, please visit: Genital Herpes

Genital Warts

A very common STI
Caused by a virus passed on during sexual contact
Warts can appear a long time after the virus has been passed on
Everyone will eventually clear the warts without treatment
Treatment may shorten the time the warts are visible

For more detailed information, please visit: Genital Warts

HIV

HIV is a virus that weakens the body’s defence systems
There is no cure but treatments help people live longer healthier lives.
The virus is passed in body fluids including blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk
Many people with HIV have no symptoms or signs
Using condoms every time you have sex reduces your risk of contracting HIV
You can be checked for HIV by a simple blood test

For more detailed information, please visit our HIV/Hepatitis page or HIV

Pubic Lice & Scabies

These are tiny parasites which live on the body
Pubic lice live on coarse body hair and look like tiny ‘crabs’
Scabies causes an intense itch all over the body
These parasites are passed by close body contact or rarely by sharing towels, clothes or bedding
Both easily treated by lotions or creams

For more detailed information, please visit: Pubic Lice / Scabies

Syphilis

This is an uncommon infection which can cause serious problems if untreated
It is caused by a bacteria passed during vaginal, anal or oral sex
Pregnant women can pass the infection to their baby
You may develop a painless sore of the genital area, mouth or rarely elsewhere
You can be checked for Syphilis with a simple blood test

For more detailed information, please visit: Syphillis

Thrush, BV, TV & HVP

Thrush and Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Thrush and BV are not sexually transmitted but can develop after you have sex
They are caused by overgrowth in your body's natural bacteria (BV) or yeast (thrush)
They can be diagnosed by taking a swab test
These infections can cause itching, soreness and redness of the genital area
They are easily treated with creams, pessaries or tablets

For more detailed information, please visit: Thrush / Bacterial Vaginosis

Trichomonas Vaginalis (TV)

Trichomonas Vaginalis is an infection caused by a tiny parasite
It can be found in the urethra (tube where urine comes out) in men and women or in the vagina of women
It is passed during vaginal sex
Some people with TV have no symptoms
but men and women may have a discharge or pain passing urine
It is tested by taking a swab
Trichomonas Vaginalis is easily treated with antibiotics

For more detailed information, please visit: Trichomonas Vaginalis