Have you ever been having sex and noticed that things were getting a bit…dry? It happens to the best of us and there’s a super easy solution. ENTER: lube. Honestly, lube does not get the love and attention it deserves. Not only can lube make sex feel more comfortable, but […]
Have you ever been having sex and noticed that things were getting a bit…dry? It happens to the best of us and there’s a super easy solution. ENTER: lube. Honestly, lube does not get the love and attention it deserves. Not only can lube make sex feel more comfortable, but […]
Does the thought of talking to your doctor about sexual health give you butterflies or send a shiver down your spine?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here’s our top tips to make chatting to your doctor about sex a whole lot easier.
We’re talking about sexual activity that involves your butt. Anal play can be enjoyed by anyone of any gender or orientation and can be: Putting fingers or a tongue (rimming) around/inside someone’s butt Putting a dildo or other sex toy inside someone’s butt Putting a penis inside someone’s butt There […]
There are a few different methods for testing for STIs. Sometimes its a quick pee in a cup, sometimes a swab or blood test. But they have one thing in common – they’re quick, easy, and nothing to be worried about.
If you’re on this page, that’s great news as it means you’re probably planning to have an STI test. Making the decision is the hard part (though it shouldn’t be, as it’s a normal part of having sex). The actual test itself is a walk in the park.
There are quite a few different tests you can have, although peeing in a cup is the most common. Your doctor or STI clinic will explain which is the best for you. Find your nearest doctor or clinic.
Getting tested is quick, easy and often free at bulk billing clinics
Otherwise known as peeing in a cup or jar, this test covers STIs like Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea and is the most commonly offered test for guys. Girls can opt to do a urine sample or a vaginal swab. The choice is yours.
This is a test you can perform yourself or a doctor or nurse can take the swab for you. It tests for STIs like Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea and is the most commonly offered test for girls.
This is another test you can perform yourself or a doctor or nurse can take the swab for you. It tests for STIs like rectal Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea.
The doctor or nurse may take a swab from the back of your throat. It’s really quick but might make you cough. It tests for STIs passed on through oral sex like Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea.
Getting a blood test involves taking a small amount of blood from you (usually from a vein in your arm) using a sterile needle. The blood taken is then stored in a tube before it’s sent off to a laboratory to be tested. These tests can be used to identify Syphilis, HIV and Hepatitis.
Have you ever visited the Play Safe forum? It’s packed full of conversations on all things sexual health from young people across NSW. One of the topics they’ve been tackling recently is tips for getting an STI test. Here, we round up their advice. 1. Try to relax “Remember that […]
Getting an STI test is a normal part of a healthy and confident sex life, but sometimes it can feel daunting or confusing.
Did you know that the types of STI tests you need differ depending on the type of sex you’re having? There are a few different types of STI tests – urine tests, vaginal swabs, throat swabs, rectal swabs and blood tests. Each one has a different purpose. In Australia, a […]
So you’ve just had sex, but the condom has disappeared? No need to freak out, here are a few steps you can take. Find the condom The first thing you should do is try to get the lost condom out yourself. If you were having PIV (penis-in-vagina) sex, it might […]
Want a session you’ll never forget? 1. Talk Talking about sex, makes the actual sex better. Share what you like and don’t like. 2. Laugh Let’s face it. Sex has its funny moments. Ever bumped your head? Fanny farted? Yep. There’s only one response. You know it. 3. Get tested […]
Let’s talk about Pubic Lice, or Crabs. What are Pubic Lice? Pubic lice are tiny insects that generally live on the pubic hair around the genitals. They can sometimes attach to chest, underarm or other body hair, but they are not the same as head lice. They are spread through […]
What’s World AIDS Day? Held worldwide on 1st December each year, World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for everyone to: Remember those who lost their lives to HIV and AIDS Show support for people living with HIV Address HIV-related stigma that’s still present in Australia You CANNOT catch HIV through social contact. What’s HIV-related stigma? HIV-related stigma refers to […]
It can often make women feel embarrassed, miserable and even dirty. But thrush, also called Candidiasis, is more common than you think! It happens in around 50% of women at least once in their lifetime. What is it? Thrush is an overgrowth of naturally occurring yeast in the vagina called […]
Hey, Nurse Nettie here for a quick chat about gonorrhoea or “Gono” for short. I’ve even heard it called the “Clap” (no round of applause please!). Gonorrhoea is an STI caused by bacteria called Neisseria Gonorrhoeae. What a word! Just know that anyone can catch gonorrhoea by having oral, vaginal, […]
What’s normal? For guys, the urethra runs through the middle of the penis to the opening at the head of the penis (glans), and carries urine (pee) during urination or semen (cum) during ejaculation. Penile discharge is not urine, but a watery or thickened fluid that sometimes comes out of […]
What’s normal and not normal? All women have some vaginal discharge (fluid or semisolid substance that flows out of the vaginal opening). It’s a way the body maintains a healthy vagina. Vaginal discharge is part of the vagina’s inbuilt self-cleaning system. Bacteria that are normally found in the vagina create […]
Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types: HSV 1 (usually known as cold sores) and HSV 2 (usually known as genital herpes). It’s really common! In fact, 1 in 8 Australian adults aged over 25 years have HSV 2, and 7 out of […]
I’ve been getting questions lately from people worried about lumps and bumps on and around their genitals (penis, vagina, and anal area). To put you all at ease I asked a good colleague, Dr Chris Bourne, a Staff Specialist at Sydney Sexual Health Centre, to answer all your questions. Over […]
