Sexual Health Clinic Sydney & Byron Bay

Sydney doctors (02) 9331 7228, Byron Bay doctors (02) 6680 7211, or online appointment

Sexual Health

In addition to the absence of disease and dysfunction, sexual health involves knowing your body, appreciating sexual behaviour and attitudes, understanding how to keep yourself and others safe and knowing when to seek advice/help when things do not go according to plan. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that for sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled.

A sexual health check-up is an opportunity for you to discuss any sexual health concerns such as those listed below with your Holdsworth House doctor.

Sexual Health Topics
  • Impotence
  • Infertility
  • Menopause
  • Pregnancy
  • Prostate cancer
  • Safe sex
  • Sexual assault
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Syphilis
  • Testicular cancer
  • Testosterone deficiency

Confidentiality

Sometimes people shy from discussing sexual health issues because they are concerned about their confidentiality. Holdsworth House Medical Practice respects and protects your right to privacy and confidentiality. In addition, the law requires that consultations with your doctor or any health professional are confidential. Exceptions to this include if someone is at risk of seriously harming themselves or others, or if your doctor suspects a young person is being subjected to physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.

Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Is Important

Common STIs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea may not produce regardless of the site of infection, so if you are sexually active, having a regular sexual health check-up is always a good idea. You don't need to have physical symptoms to undergo a sexual health check-up with your Holdsworth House doctor. A standard sexual health check-up involves questions about sexual history, examinations and tests, as well as follow up.

You should consider having a sexual health check-up if:

  • You have genital symptoms such as pain, discharge, itching, burning etc.
  • You have started a new relationship, particularly if you don't plan to use condoms.
  • You have recently ended a relationship.
  • You have had unsafe sex or believe there was some risk to your health during a sexual encounter.
  • You think you might have an STI.
  • You or your partner has recently had an STI.
  • You want information on preventing pregnancy.
  • You are concerned about some aspect of your sexual health.

Regular sexual health checks are recommended if:

  • You get paid for sex work.
  • You have frequent changes in sexual partners.
  • You have sex with people outside your relationship.
  • You are sexually active and part of a population group in which there is a high frequency rate of STI's.

Be Open And Honest

Open discussions with your Holdsworth House doctor are important for sexual health promotion- no topic is taboo and there is nothing to be embarrassed about. There are no disadvantages to having a sexual health check, only advantages. Not only will it give you peace of mind knowing with certainty what illness you may or may not have and how to treat it, but it will empower you to make informed choices about your lifestyle, sexual practices and future plans.

Don't be shy – get checked!

Your Decision

The decision to get tested for STIs is a personal decision. Your doctor can discuss with you what tests to have based on your sexual history and potential risk for STI's, but the decision of what tests to have remains yours to make.