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Adults

Do I need a test?

If you've never had sex involving contact with someone else's genitals or anus, you don't need a test.

Not everyone with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) will have symptoms at first.

Most people find knowing for sure is much better than worrying and early treatment helps prevent lasting problems.

Quick Links

I had unprotected sex

If you had penetrative sex without a condom or oral sex without a condom or dam you may have caught an STI and not know it. 
 
Many people wont get obvious symptoms if they have got an STI so it is important to get checked.  Go and see your GP as soon as possible and ask about STI testing or contact your nearest sexual health service.

I think I've got some symptoms

Go and see your GP as soon as possible and ask about STI testing or contact your nearest sexual health service.
 
In the meantime, you might like to look over our guide to sexually transmitted infections.
 
Most STIs can be treated and cured; the rest can be managed so that you can stay healthy. 
 
The sooner treatment starts, the better the results.
 
If you have some symptoms and it turns out not to be an STI the doctors and nurses can advise you.
 
If you are a woman you might want to think about a pregnancy test.  For the future, think about ways to have safer sex.

My partner has an STI

If you've always had safer sex together, the risks are low. 
 
However, it's probably still worthwhile having a test.
 
Go and see your GP as soon as possible and ask about STI testing or contact your nearest sexual health service.

I've heard a past sexual partner has an STI

Not everyone who has an STI will have any symptoms.
 
If you had unprotected sex together, even if it was a while ago, you might have caught an STI and not noticed.
 
You might already have had an STI yourself without knowing and passed it on to them.
 
Go and see your GP as soon as possible and ask about STI testing or contact your nearest sexual health service.

I've had a card in the post telling me I should get tested

Someone you've had sex with has tested positive for an STI but they didn't want to tell you in person. 
 
The clinic they went to has sent you this card to let you know you should get tested.
 
Go and see your GP as soon as possible and ask about STI testing or contact your nearest sexual health service.

We used protection but it broke or slipped off

Well done for trying to have safer sex.
 
It could just be bad luck the condom or dam broke, or it could be something you did.
 
Did you put the condom on correctly? Check out our condom demonstration.
 
Did something oily or greasy get onto the condom or dam? Oily substances, including massage oils, lip balms and lipsticks can make condoms and dams fail or leak.
 
If you need to use lubrication (for example for anal sex) only use lubricants designed for use during sex.
 
Go and see your GP and ask about STI testing or contact your nearest sexual health service.

We want to stop using protection

You should both be tested for the full range of STIs.
 
Go and see your GP and ask about STI testing or contact your nearest sexual health service.
 
If you are a woman-man couple and don't want a baby right now, you need to think about contraception.

We want to make a baby

Obviously, if you're a woman-and-man couple hoping to get pregnant by having sex, you're going to have to stop using condoms. 
 
It's a good idea for both of you to be screened for STIs before you stop using protection. 
 
Although most STIs are treatable, several can cause problems during pregnancy and can be passed on to the child.
 
And you probably don't want to start your happy new family with the news that one of you has infected the other with an STI!
 
Go and see your GP and ask about STI testing or contact your nearest sexual health service.

I've been raped or sexually assaulted (or think I might have been)

You need to get support and help straight away.
 
Rape Crisis Argyll and Bute offer advice and support to people 13 years and over who have suffered sexual abuse, assault or rape. 
  • Visit the Argyll and Bute Rape Crisis website
  • or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
Please see our section on Rape & Sexual Assault