STI Screening Made Simple with Dr Ji-Young Park

Tend Pakūranga GP Dr Ji-Young Park takes us through what to expect and when to get tested. 

STI (sexually transmitted infection) screening can feel daunting to many people. Some of us, especially if we’re LGBTQ+, might feel embarrassed or awkward talking about sex, but STI screening should be a routine part of healthcare for anyone who is sexually active. Sexual health providers should be able to help with no judgement, no matter your sexuality, gender identity, age, or sexual practices. 

STIs are common, and they may not show obvious symptoms, so it’s important to get regular screening if you are at risk. It’s not just about protecting ourselves, but it also helps to protect our communities. 

What to expect: 

When you go for an STI screen, your clinician will ask you some questions. You may be asked when you last had sex, whether this was a regular or casual contact, the gender of your partner(s), and the type of sex you had.  

This is to determine your risk and the types of testing you might need. Depending on your risk factors and anatomy, the clinician will arrange testing for you. If you require swabs such as anal, vaginal, or throat swabs, you can usually collect these yourself with instructions on how. 

In some cases, you may need an examination (e.g. if you have pain), and the clinician might take a swab then. You might also need to do urine and blood tests. HIV also has newer tests, like saliva or finger-prick self-tests that you can access through Burnett Foundation Aotearoa. 

You should get tested if you:  

• Have any signs or symptoms of an STI, e.g. unusual genital or anal discharge, burning when you pee, sores, or raised lymph nodes around the groin 

• Have had sexual contact with someone with an STI 

• Have recently changed sexual partners or have multiple sexual contacts 

• Find out you are pregnant 

• Have recently had any non-consensual sexual encounter 

• Or any time you would like to be screened 

How often should you get tested? 

It’s important for all sexually active men who have sex with men to be screened at least once a year, as there’s a higher risk of STIs. We recommend 3-monthly screenings for men who have sex with men and have risk factors, including having a new partner or multiple sexual contacts, participating in group sex, using PrEP, and/or using recreational drugs during sex. 

For other populations, we recommend regular testing if you are sexually active, especially if you have multiple sexual partners. It’s best to talk to your sexual health provider about how often you need to be tested, as this advice will be individualised. 

When to get tested after a specific event 

If you have been in contact with someone who has an STI, it’s important to get tested as soon as possible — don’t wait! 

If you are worried about any other specific sexual event and you don’t have any STI symptoms, we have different recommendations for when to get tested: 

• Chlamydia and gonorrhoea: test 2 weeks after the last unprotected sexual intercourse 

• Syphilis: test 3–6 weeks after the event. Some tests may require up to 12 weeks for accurate results 

• HIV: test after 4 weeks and repeat in 3 months 

Overall, STI screening should be a safe, confidential, and respectful process. It’s a routine health appointment like any other, so please don’t be afraid to reach out to your GP or other local sexual health clinics. 

You can book discreet STI screening with Tend directly through the Tend app if you live in Auckland, Bay of Plenty, or Canterbury. Taking care of your sexual health is part of taking care of yourself — and we’re here to make it easy. 

Download the Tend app today or visit tend.nz 

If you have a health query you want answered, email it to ask@gayexpress.co.nz or fill in the form below!