Please find a list of frequently asked questions and respective answers about sexual health and STD testing.
What happens during my sexually transmitted infection (STI) test at my IPSA Medical clinic?
There are different sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests depending on the clinical scenario and symptoms that you present with. During your STI consultation, your IPSA Medical physician will determine which STI investigations are necessary and the STI test/s will be carried out immediately (involving urine tests and/or blood tests and/or swabs).
When will my STI test/s be undertaken at my IPSA Medical clinic?
Your STI test/s will be carried out during your IPSA Medical STI consultation as your IPSA Medical specialist can decide on the most suitable STI investigations and type/s of STI test for you.
Is IPSA Medical discrete?
Yes, IPSA Medical always operates with a very strict total confidentiality policy. You can choose either to have your results given to you personally at your IPSA Medical clinic or to receive your results over the phone.
What STI treatments are available at my IPSA Medical clinic?
At your IPSA Medical clinic, various antibiotic treatments for STIs are available (e.g. metronidazole, acyclovir, doxycycline and azithromycin). Depending on your personal medical circumstances and the findings during your consultation, your IPSA Medical physician will prescribe a high-level single antibiotic dose or a lower-level antibiotic dose (to be taken over seven days).
Is it possible for my STI symptoms to return following treatment?
Sometimes, your STI symptoms might return, but this is unlikely when you take your full antibiotic course as directed. (Always take your full antibiotic course, even if your symptoms have stopped before you have finished your antibiotic course.)
How frequently should I undergo STI testing?
Even when you don’t have any symptoms, sexually active individuals should undergo STI testing at least once every 12 months.
What happens at my IPSA Medical STI clinic when my test result is positive?
IPSA Medical has a late-opening on-site pharmacy; your IPSA Medical physician can thus initiate your STI treatment immediately. With certain conditions and particular clinical symptoms, your IPSA Medical physician may decide to start your STI antibiotic treatment before receiving your lab results. If you then test positive for disorders such as hepatitis B, or hepatitis C, or HIV, then your IPSA Medical clinician will refer you without delay to an infectious disease clinic so that the relevant treatment can be explained to you and your treatment can start immediately.
If I have an STI, can I still have sex?
If you test positive for an STI, then you should wait for a complete week after finishing your STI antibiotic medication before you have sex again. If you do have sex, then use a condom, as this helps not to spread your STI to your sexual partner/s. Your IPSA Medical physician will talk this through with you during your STI consultation.
Do I need to tell my sexual partner/s that I have an STI?
Yes. It is extremely important that you tell your partner/s that you currently have an STI in order to avoid spreading your STI infection to them (or to their other sexual contacts).
Do STI treatments cause side effects?
STIs that are treated with antibiotics rarely cause side effects. However, very occasionally some individuals can experience nausea, vomiting, headaches, a rash, abdominal pain, heartburn or indigestion, stomach irritation, diarrhoea, drowsiness, dizziness or photosensitivity.
If you suspect that you might have contracted an STI or if you simply wish to be tested to gain peace of mind, then book your confidential IPSA Medical STI consultation online or call your nearest IPSA Medical clinic for your same-day STI appointment.
Opening hours