Dr Mataroria Lyndon answers your health-related questions.
How often do you recommend queer men and trans women get STI tests?
For sexually active queer men and trans women, I recommend having a sexual health check every three months if you have multiple partners or new partners. If you’re in a monogamous relationship and both partners have been tested, every six to twelve months may be appropriate.
Frequent testing means early detection and treatment, which helps keep you and your partners healthy and prevents infections from spreading in our communities. Many STIs, like chlamydia or gonorrhoea, can have no symptoms at all — so regular screening is about protecting yourself even when you feel completely fine.
If you don’t have symptoms but you’re worried about a recent sexual encounter, wait a bit before getting tested so the results are accurate.
You can get tested for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis after two weeks, and for HIV after six weeks from the time you last had unprotected sex.
You can easily book an STI test discreetly through the Tend app. The most important thing is that testing becomes a regular part of your self-care, just like brushing your teeth or checking your blood pressure.
What should a comprehensive sexual health screening include?
A good sexual health check should be thorough, inclusive, and tailored to your sexual practices. It’s not just a “one-size-fits-all” approach. At Tend, our clinicians will ask a few questions to understand your needs and lifestyle in a judgement-free space. From there, we recommend a mix of tests that may include:
- Urine and swab tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea (these can be throat, rectal, or genital depending on your sexual activity)
- Blood tests for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis A, B, and C
- A physical examination if needed, or if you have any symptoms like pain, discharge, or sores
We know these conversations can feel vulnerable, so our clinicians are trained to create a comfortable, inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of gender identities or sexualities. Regular screening is one of the simplest, most effective ways to look after your wellbeing and that of your community.
Can someone get an HIV test discreetly through the app, and is PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) available through Tend? If so, what is the best way to begin that process?
Yes, absolutely. Privacy and accessibility matter to us. Testing for HIV is included in our routine STI screening, which can be discreetly booked in the Tend app under:
Book a service → Screenings → STI screening.
You don’t need to call or come into a clinic first, and your results are shared securely in the app when they’re ready.
You can also access PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) through Tend. Just go to:
Book a service → Contraception and PrEP → PrEP initial consultation.
This appointment can be done online or in person — whichever feels most comfortable for you.
During your PrEP consultation, the clinician will talk with you about your sexual health, answer any questions, and arrange the necessary blood tests before starting the medication. If PrEP is right for you, you’ll get a prescription and follow-up plan to make sure it’s working well for you.
Both STI testing and PrEP consultations are available to enrolled and casual patients, so you don’t need to be an existing Tend patient. Booking through the Tend app is simple, confidential, and discreet.
Download the Tend app or visit tend.nz
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