STBBI Testing & Treatment
Sexually transmitted infections are common and either curable or manageable with medication. Talking to sexual partners about STIs, using barriers (like condoms or dental dams), and getting tested regularly are ways to practice safer sex and lower your risk of contracting one. Other methods that can reduce STI risk include: getting vaccines for HPV and hepatitis B, taking PrEP or PEP, and using sterile drug equipment.
Regular STI testing is recommended at least once a year. It can take a few weeks or a few months for some infections to show up on a test. We recommend that folks get tested whenever they have a new partner or every 3-6 months if they have multiple partners.
Most people don’t notice symptoms, so it’s important to get tested even if you feel fine. Some symptoms that people may notice are: burning while peeing, pain during sexual activities, spotting after sex or between periods, itching, unusual smell or discharge from the genitals, and lumps, bumps, or sores.*
We can test for these common STIs:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- HIV
- Hepatitis B & C
- Herpes
- HPV Genital Warts
- Syphilis
- Trichomoniasis
Testing for these STIs may involve urine tests, blood draws, visual examinations, and/or vaginal, throat, or rectum swabs.
We screen for STIs through a scheduled phone appointment with our registered nurse and often send folks to Life Labs to give their samples with 48 hours after that phone call.
Anyone can contract an STI, and it doesn’t mean they are a bad person. There is a lot of stigma around STIs that can prevent people from talking to partners, getting tested and treated.
*Some of these symptoms may be from other common vaginal infections, like Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), Yeast, or a urinary tract infection (UTI). Our nurse practitioner is able to test for and treat yeast and BV, but not a UTI. Sorry for the inconvenience but you will need to go to a walk-in clinic, or call your pharmacist or family doctor if you have a UTI.
***Unfortunately, we are unable to offer walk-in STI testing and require an appointment. You can request STI testing at any walk-in medical clinic. We recommend asking for blood work, urine tests, and vaginal/oral/anal swabs.
^Testing for genital herpes requires a visual inspection and swab test of an active sore by a doctor or NP within 72 hours after the sore appears. Because our in-person appointments book up quickly, you may have to go to a walk-in clinic.
Some helpful links from our friends at Planned Parenthood Toronto:
Call us at 306-522-0902 to schedule an appointment.