STIs are caused by viruses or bacteria that can be passed on from one person to the other through sexual contact.
Key things to know
You should go for a check-up at a sexual health clinic if:
- you are sexually active and haven’t been for a regular sexual health check for more than 6 months,
- you have symptoms of an STI,
- your sexual partner has symptoms of an STI,
- you’re worried about having an STI,
- you’re pregnant and have symptoms of an STI.
Most STIs are easily treated and getting tested is free and confidential. You can prevent STIs by using a condom when having sex.
You can find sexual health services in Scotland on the NHS Inform website, or you can get in touch with us for advice and support.
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What are STIs?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections caused by viruses or bacteria that are transmitted through sexual contact with a person who has an STI.
STIs are very common and affect the majority of sexually active people at some point in their lives. Many STIs have no symptoms at all, therefore regular testing is important.
STIs are easy to test and treat, and many of them can be cured completely with a range of medications. Even those that can’t be cured, such as HIV, can be managed well with treatment.
How do people get STIs?
You can get an STI by having oral, vaginal/frontal and anal sex without a condom. STIs can also be passed on through other types of sexual contact, such as touching someone’s genitals or via sex toys.
Some STIs can also be passed on to your baby during pregnancy or birth.
How do I know if I have an STI?
The only way to know for sure if you have an STI is to get an STI test, as not all STIs have symptoms. Tests are quick and simple, and for a lot of STIs you can do a test at home using a home-testing kit.
In Scotland, most health boards offer STI home-testing kits that can be ordered through their website. You can also ask for one from your GP or at the sexual health clinic.
At Waverley Care, we offer testing for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B and C across Scotland. You can use our service finder to find testing near you.
What can happen if STIs are not treated?
Without symptoms, STIs can go unnoticed for a very long time. Left untreated, STIs can cause complications and lead to serious health problems.
The most common long-term effects of untreated STIs are inflammatory diseases, infections, infertility, complications during pregnancy, damage to your brain, nerves, heart and in some cases even cancer.
Regular testing means that STIs can get diagnosed and treated early before any complications happen.
To learn more, check out our page on STI testing.
What are the most common STIs?
The most common STIs are:
Other common infections that can affect your sexual health (although not classed as STIs) are thrush, bacterial vaginosis and mpox.
What are the common symptoms of STIs?
Symptoms vary depending on the STI and often STIs have no apparent symptoms.
Some of the symptoms that are commonly associated with STIs include:
- unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or rectum,
- a stinging or itching sensation around the genital or anal area,
- swelling and redness of the genitals,
- pain in the lower abdomen,
- pain or bleeding during sex.
If you have any of these symptoms, there is a possibility that you have an STI and it is important to get tested. For more information, check out our page on STI testing or get in touch for advice and support.
How can I protect myself from STIs?
The most effective way to prevent STIs is to use a condom during sex. If you are having oral sex, you can prevent the transmission of STIs by using a dental dam.
It is also very important to get tested regularly as you can get some STIs even if you use a condom correctly.
For more information, check out our page on STI prevention.
Looking for advice?
If you are looking for information and advice on the transmission, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, we are here to help. Get in touch by filling out our contact form.
