STI Testing

• Before entering a sexual relationship with a new partner
• If you notice any symptoms or anything out of the ordinary
• If you have had a sexual interaction with someone who has an STI
• If you’re not sure if someone you’ve had a sexual interaction with has an STI

Everyone does it differently, and it depends on your lifestyle. Some people do it every few months, some with every new partner, or every few years if they’re mostly with the same partner. You can talk with a peer educator or a clinician about what may work for you.

You can get STI tests at many sexual health clinics, community health centres, walk in clinics, or with your family doctor. And of course, at PPT!

It depends on what you are testing for and services provided in the clinic.

• HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B are tested by taking your blood.
• Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are tested in people with cervixes* by a cervical swab or a urine test. In people with testicles*, they are tested by a urine test.
• Herpes is tested by taking a swab of the sore. Low-risk HPV (genital warts) is tested by a clinician’s visual examination. You have to have a visible outbreak of sores or warts to get tested.
• A Pap test can detect the possibility of high-risk HPV (i.e. abnormal cells that could lead to cervical cancer) in people with cervixes. All people with cervixes over 21 who are sexually active (oral, vaginal or finger play) should have a pap test every 3 years.

* People with cervixes are usually designated female at birth while people with testicles are usually designated male at birth. People with testicles don’t always identify as male and people with cervixes don’t always identify as female.

You can take PrEP! PrEP, or Pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a drug that HIV-negative people can take to prevent HIV infection. It’s recommended for people who have an HIV-positive partner, do not always use condoms and/or have multiple sex partners. Using PrEP involves taking antiretroviral (anti-HIV) drugs daily and having regular medical appointments for monitoring and support. PrEP can be prescribed by any health care provider who is licensed to write prescriptions. It is covered through the Ontario Drug Benefit program, including OHIP+, or can be covered by your school’s or employer’s benefits. Without coverage, it can cost $250-$1000 monthly.
Ask us about PrEP! As a primary care client we can support you accessing PrEP. If you are not a primary care client, we can connect you with organizations that can support you.
For more information, check out these resources:

• Ontario PrEP is a page maintained by the OHTN and is a substantial provincial resource on PrEP.
• For a detailed breakdown of accessing PrEP in Ontario, including how to handle public and private plans, visit HIVnow.ca.
• For PrEP info with cis and trans women in mind, click here.

Our policy is “no news is good news.” If none of the results come back positive, we will not call you. However you are free to call us to double check (again reception staff will message a clinician to call you back) or a clinician will call you and speak to you if any of the results come back positive.