Learning path · 4 steps

Prepare for a sexual health check-up

A four-step plan to understand STI testing, choose where to go, and walk in with the right questions.

By the end: You will know which tests to ask for, where to get them confidentially, and what happens next.

AltFTool Health Editorial TeamFact-checked

0 of 4 steps done

  1. STI testing: when to get tested, how it works and what to expect

    Get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) if you have symptoms, a new partner, unprotected sex or a partner who has an STI, and as part of routine check-ups. Most tests use a urine sample, a swab or a blood test, are confidential, and many infections cause no symptoms, so testing is the only way to know.

    Your action: Note when you last tested and any symptoms or dates you want to mention.

    Read the guide

  2. Safer sex basics: condoms, dental dams, vaccines and testing

    Safer sex means combining a few simple habits that lower the chance of passing on or catching a sexually transmitted infection (STI): using a condom or dental dam correctly every time, choosing a lubricant that will not damage it, getting vaccinated against HPV and hepatitis B, and testing regularly. No single method removes all risk, but together they protect you well.

    Your action: Decide which protection methods you want to ask about, including vaccines.

    Read the guide

  3. HIV PrEP and PEP: how they work, who they are for and how to get them

    PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine that HIV-negative people take before possible exposure to greatly reduce their chance of getting HIV. PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is an emergency course of medicine started after a possible exposure, as soon as possible and within 72 hours. Both need a clinician, and neither protects against other STIs.

    Your action: Check whether PrEP could suit you and save the 72-hour PEP rule.

    Read the guide

  4. How to talk about sexual health with a partner: a practical guide

    Talking about sexual health with a partner means discussing STI testing, contraception and personal boundaries before you become intimate, ideally at a calm, private moment. Using simple, non-judgemental phrases and sharing your own information first makes the conversation easier and shows care for both of you.

    Your action: Plan how you will share results or testing plans with a partner.

    Read the guide

Questions people ask on this path

Can you have an STI without symptoms?

Yes. Many STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HPV and HIV, can cause no symptoms for months or years. That is why health services recommend regular testing if you have new or multiple partners, even when you feel completely well. Untreated infections can still cause complications and can be passed on.

Can I use oil-based lubricant with condoms?

Not with latex or polyisoprene condoms. Oil-based products such as petroleum jelly, body lotion and massage oil weaken these materials and can make the condom break. Choose a water-based or silicone-based lubricant instead. Internal condoms made of nitrile or polyurethane are not damaged by oil, but always check the packet instructions first.

How soon do I need to start PEP?

As soon as possible. PEP works best when started within 24 hours of a possible exposure and must be started no later than 72 hours afterwards. Go to a sexual health clinic or hospital emergency department and explain that you need PEP. Do not wait for symptoms or for a clinic appointment on another day.

Is it rude to ask a new partner if they have been tested?

No. Asking about STI testing is a normal, responsible part of looking after your health and theirs. Framing it around yourself, for example by saying when you were last tested, helps it feel like a shared decision. Most people appreciate a partner who takes their health seriously.

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