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A sexual health check is an opportunity for you to discuss any concerns you may have about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). A Pap Smear is not the same thing is a Sexual Health Check. If you are sexually active, having a regular pap smear and a regular sexual health check is always a good idea. You don't need to have any physical symptoms to undergo a pap smear or sexual health check. Many STIs, such as Chlamydia, do not present any physical symptoms.
Should I get tested?
The decision to have a pap smear or sexual health check is a personal decision. Your practitioner can discuss with you what tests to have based on your sexual history and potential risk for STIs or cervical cancer, but the decision of what tests to have remains yours to make.
Some people don't like to get tested because they are concerned about their confidentiality. All health care settings do their best to maintain and protect your privacy and confidentiality. A range of measures are used to protect your confidentiality and the law requires that consultations with your doctor or any health professional are confidential (with some exceptions such as where someone is at risk of seriously harming themselves or somebody else, or if they suspect a young person is being subjected to physical, emotional or sexual abuse). Before getting tested it may be worth discussing with your practitioner the advantages and disadvantages of testing. Some of the advantages of being tested include: - Pap smears provide early detection of cervical cancer (HPV) or ongoing monitoring and management.
- Effective treatment of the STI and/or ongoing monitoring and management.
- Ability to make better informed choices about your lifestyle and future sexual practices.
- Ease of mind - comfort in knowing with certainty what illness you may or may not have.
- Many STIs can be managed, and therefore minimise the impact it has on your immune system.
Some disadvantages of being tested include: - You may become anxious and concerned while waiting for the results.
- Concerned about others finding out about your sexual health.
- Positive results may impact on your relationships (personal, family or friends)
- You may become stressed or upset when you're informed about your sexual health check or pap smear results.
When should I have a check-up?
- At the beginning of a new sexual relationship, particularly if you do not plan to use condoms.
- If you have recently ended a relationship.
- If you have had unsafe sex or believe there was some risk to your health during a sexual encounter.
- If you have had genital symptoms such as pain, discharge, itching, etc.
- If you simply think you might have an STI.
- If your partner has recently had an STI.
- If you want information on preventing pregnancy.
- Regularly, if you get paid for sex work.
- Regularly, if you have frequent changes in sexual partners.
- Regularly, if you have sex with people outside your relationship.
- If you are concerned about some aspect of your sexual health.
- Regularly, if you are sexually active and part of a population group in which there is a high frequency rate of STIs.
A sexual health check-up will involve: - sexual history
- examination and tests
- a pap smear
- follow up.
Sexual history
During a sexual health check you will be asked a series of questions about your sexual history. These are standard questions in which your sexual health practitioner will ask every client. While many questions are of a personal nature, you need to answer all questions honestly as the information you provide will enable the practitioner to better support your health needs.
Example of questions that a Practitioner will ask:
• whether you have any physical symptoms
• any previous STIs you may have had
• sexual behaviour (eg what kind of sex you have had)
• relationship history
• menstrual cycle (eg how regular your periods are)
• Contraception (eg what kind of contraception is being used)
• drug and alcohol use
• general questions, if not already known, about your health and medication history.
Examination and tests
Physical examinations can be embarrassing but they are an important part of a sexual health check. Our practitioners will do their best to make sure you feel comfortable. If you have any concerns about a physical examination, discuss these with your practitioner beforehand. The practitioner can explain what the procedure will involve. A physical examination might involve: - genital examination;
- swabs (long cotton bud) from the cervix, vagina or rectum, tip of the penis or back of the throat;
- blood tests for STIs;
- urine tests for STIs; and
- pap smear (sample taken from the cervix) for early screening of cervical cancer.
Pap smear
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection which in most cases (80%) is cleared by the body’s immune system in 8-14 months. The presence of HPV may be detected by the Pap smear. Some women who have persistent infections may develop abnormalities of the cervix. This is why it is important to have a regular Pap smears. All women over 18 who have ever had sex are advised to have a Pap smear every two years, even if they no longer sexually active. If a woman starts sexual activity at a younger age, screening should start within two years of first sexual intercourse. Regular Pap smears can prevent up to 90 per cent of the most common type of cervical cancer. Women who have had abnormal Pap smears will be advised to have more frequent follow-ups after treatment until consecutive smears are normal. They should then continue annual smears. Remember you can say no to having any of these tests or have them at your next visit. Our practitioners may recommend tests if they believe there's a chance you have an STI. Follow up
Once tests are received by SHFPACT, SHFAPCT will contact a client immediately if any tests come back as positive or detected. If you have any concerns or would simply like an appointment to get your results you may contact our clinic on 02 6247 3077. Please note that it is not always possible to give you your results over the telephone. Pap Smear results are often posted to clients in around 2 weeks after test. If you have had symptoms, returning for follow up allows the practitioner to monitor your treatment.
Informing partners
If you have an STI, it is often important to work out who else you have recently had sexual intercourse with. This is so that your sexual partner/s can also be tested. This prevents the continual spread of STIs. Generally you will be asked to tell your sexual contacts yourself, but you may choose to ask your practitioner to make contact instead. If your practitioner makes contact with your sexual partner/s your practitioner will respect your confidentiality and not reveal your name or identity to your partner/s. Whether your partner/s need to be contacted depends on many factors including which STI you have and even whether it is possible to trace your sexual partner/s. There is no requirement to inform a previous or present sexual partner of an abnormal pap smear if you do not wish to. What happens if I have an STI or an abnormal pap smear? If you have an STI, your practitioner will talk to you about treatment options. Many STI’s can be easily treated. However, some do require ongoing monitoring and management. Even HIV can now be more effectively managed through taking anti-HIV drugs (known as antiretroviral drugs). While not a cure, the drugs have dramatically improved the health of people with HIV and reduced the risk of people with HIV progressing to AIDS. If you have had an abnormal pap smear you are often referred to a Gynaecologist for further treatment.
Can I still have sex?
If you have been detected as having an STI or the results of your pap smear have come back as abnormal your sexual health practitioner can advise you on your options for protecting and maintaining your health and that of your sexual partner/s, such as using condoms during sexual intercourse to protect you and your partner/s or avoiding sexual intercourse depending on the STI until the infection has cleared.
If you think you have an STI or any cervical symptoms it is important that you do not to have sex until you have seen your sexual health practitioner. If you have an STI it is important that you do not pass it to your sexual partner/s.
Information on this page has been adapated from www.health.nsw.gov.au
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