About STIs / STDs
Getting tested
Getting treated
Testing FAQs
Reducing Risk

Further Information
Chlamydia
Gonorrhoea
Herpes
Ureaplasma Urealyticum/Parvum
Bacterial Vaginosis(BV)
Mycoplasma Genitalium
Trichomonas Vaginalis

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Other treatments available

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Some bacterial infections can cause problems if left untreated.

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Herpes
• Mycoplasma Genitalium
• Ureaplasma Urealyticum/Parvum
• Trichomonas Vaginalis
• Gardnerella/Bacterial Vaginosis

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Genital Herpes

There is also evidence to suggest that herpes may affect men's fertility as well if left untreated.

Genital Herpes Symptoms

• Itching or tingling sensation in the genital or anal area.
• Small fluid-filled blisters. These burst and leave small sores, which can be very painful. In time, they dry out, scab over and heal. With the first infection, they can take between 2 and 4 weeks to heal properly.
• Pain when peeing, if pee comes into contact with any of the open sores.
• A flu-like illness, backache, headache, swollen glands or fever.

Repeated infections are usually not as bad. The sores are fewer, smaller, and less painful and heal more quickly.

If you suspect that you or your partner may have genital herpes find out more about getting tested today

Treatments for Herpes

While there's no cure for genital herpes, it's possible to reduce the discomfort of a herpes outbreak by taking this herpes treatment.

Aciclovir

• First episode: 200mg 5 times daily or 400 mg 3 times daily for 7-10 days or until clinical resolution occurs
• Recurrent genital herpes: 200mg 5 times daily for 5 days

Unsuitable patients

Don't request this treatment if you're allergic to acyclovir. Before taking aciclovir make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you have liver or kidney problems

Valaciclovir

• First episode: 1g twice daily for 10 days, preferably beginning within 48 hrs of onset
• Recurrent genital herpes: 500mg twice daily for 5 days beginning within 24 hrs of onset

Unsuitable patients

Before taking valaciclovir make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows if you have any health problems:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you are dehydrated
• If you have liver or kidney problems

If you have more than five herpes episodes a year, you should consider having what's called 'supression therapy'. This treatment cannot be supplied online. You can contact your local health provider for more information

Sex After Herpes Treatment

Herpes can be passed on to partners at any time, but particularly immediately before, during and after a herpes episode. Using condoms can protect women from contracting herpes from a male partner. However, condoms won't necessarily protect against female to male transmission.

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Mycoplasma Genitalium

This is a small parasitic bacterium which can be passed on during unprotected sex. This infection is treated using antibiotics. Past infection with mycoplasma genatilium can be associated with female infertility.

Find out more about getting tested today

Mycoplasma Genitalium Treatments

Erythromycin

Azithromycin

Doxycycline

General Advice: The longer courses are more advisable

Unsuitable patients

Before taking Erythromycin make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you have liver or kidney problems
• If you suffer from a condition called porphyria (a blood disorder)
• If you have a dependency on alcohol
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine
• If you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines

Before taking Azithromycin make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you have liver or kidney problems
• If you suffer from a condition called porphyria (a blood disorder)
• If you suffer from heart problems.

Before taking Doxycycline make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you have liver or kidney problems
• If you suffer from a condition called porphyria (a blood disorder)
• If you suffer from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (a blood disorder)
• If you suffer from myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakening disease)

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Trichomonas Vaginalis

Trichomonas Vaginalis is a parasitic infection which can lead to vaginal discharge and vulvar itching and swelling. There may not be any outward symptoms, in fact around 50% of infected women don't experience any. It can lead to urethritis and cystitis if left untreated. The infection can be passed from the mother to an unborn daughter during pregnancy. In men, the infection can progress to prostatitis.

Find out more about getting tested today

Trichomonas Vaginalis Treatments

Metronidazole

General Advice: The longer courses are more advisable

Unsuitable patients

Before taking metronidazole make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you have liver or kidney problems
• If you suffer from a condition called porphyria (a blood disorder)
• If you have a dependency on alcohol
• If you have a disorder of the central nervous system or epilepsy

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Ureaplasma Urealyticum/Parvum

Ureaplasma parvum has been categorized as a mucosal parasite living within the genito-urinary tracts. It is one of the smallest free living organisms known. It can cause diseases, including non-specific urethritis (NSU), infertility, chorioamnioitis, stillbirth, premature birth, and, in the perinatal period, pneumonia or meningitis.

Find out more about getting tested today

Ureaplasma parvum Treatment

Erythromycin

Azithromycin

Doxycycline

General Advice: The longer courses are more advisable

Unsuitable patients

Before taking Erythromycin make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you have liver or kidney problems
• If you suffer from a condition called porphyria (a blood disorder)
• If you have a dependency on alcohol
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine
• If you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines

Before taking Azithromycin make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you have liver or kidney problems
• If you suffer from a condition called porphyria (a blood disorder)
• If you suffer from heart problems.

Before taking Doxycycline make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you have liver or kidney problems
• If you suffer from a condition called porphyria (a blood disorder)
• If you suffer from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (a blood disorder)
• If you suffer from myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakening disease)

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Bacterial Vaginosis(BV)(also known as Gardnerella vaginalis)

Bacterial vaginosis(BV) is a very common vaginal infection. It is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI) although it may be caused as a result of semen in the vagina after sex without a condom.

Men typically have no symptoms but can be carriers, so it is important that both parties receive treatment

50% of women have no symptoms but some women may notice:

• A change in the normal discharge from the vagina.
• Discharge may increase and become thin and watery and have a strong fishy smell, especially after sex.

BV is more likely to occur in women when the vagina's pH (how acidic or alkaline it is) is altered and becomes more alkaline. How you get it is not really understood although it may be caused by:

• Using perfumed bubble bath or soap.
• Douching or using vaginal deodorants.
• Using a strong detergent to wash your underwear.
• Smoking

If left untreated

For many women BV goes away without being treated. BV will not affect your chances of getting pregnant although if you are pregnant it may cause problems such as miscarriage.

Find out more about getting tested today

BV Treatment

7 Day Course:Metronidazole

The usual dose is 400 mg twice a day for seven days. A single dose of 2 grams is an alternative

General Advice: The longer courses are more advisable

Unsuitable patients

Before taking metronidazole make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you have liver or kidney problems
• If you suffer from a condition called porphyria (a blood disorder)
• If you have a dependency on alcohol
• If you have a disorder of the central nervous system or epilepsy

Sex After BV treatment

You must refrain from having unprotected sex for at least seven days after you have completed this course of BV treatment.