68 & 70 Aberdeen Street, Northbridge WA 6003 
Sexual Health Clinic
We’re Proud to Help You Take Control of Your Sexual Health
Doctor Northbridge provides inclusive sexual health services for all, including people who are gay, bi, trans, gender diverse, non-binary, or identifying as a man who has sex with other men.
We offer a wide range of services, including:
- Testing and treatments for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Testing for blood-borne viruses (BBVs)
- HIV management
- Vaccinations
- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PReP) prescriptions
- Contraception and emergency contraception
- Family planning
- Cervical screening
- LGBTIQ+ safe sex education
Sexual Health Clinic Services
STI and BBV Testing and Treatment
STIs and BBVs are common, but it’s important to be tested if you think you might have an infection. This lets you get the proper treatment as soon as possible. It also protects your partner or partners. You may be able to prevent a partner from becoming infected, or you can let them know they should also get tested.
The good news is that most STIs and BBVs are treatable or manageable if caught early. The sooner you get tested, the sooner you and your doctor can put together a personalised plan for treatment.
Some common symptoms of STIs include (see more below under specific types of infection):
- Lumps or bumps around the groin, mouth, and rectum, as well as the hands, feet, or chest
- Rashes that cause an itch around the groin or rectum
It’s important to know that some STIs and BBVs have no symptoms at all. That’s why we recommend getting checked up about every 3 to 6 months, depending on your sexual activity and number of partners.
What are some common infections that we test for?
Gonorrhea
Caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoea, this STI is also sometimes called “the clap.” It affects the genitals, rectum, and throat, where moist mucosal tissues harbour the bacteria.
Gonorrhea is primarily spread by unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can also be spread via sex toys, which is a good reminder to keep yours clean or use a condom on them.
Although some people have no symptoms at all, many people have some combination of these:
- Painful or burning urination
- Yellow, white, or green discharge from the penis
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Vaginal bleeding when not menstruating
- Anal itching and/or discharge
- Anal soreness and bleeding
- Painful bowel movements
- Swollen and painful testicles
- Sore and/or red throat
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever
Because it’s possible to have no symptoms with gonorrhea, it’s wise to test for it regularly if you are sexually active. Untreated gonorrhoea can lead to complications like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility. And, of course, you can pass it to partners.
Gonorrhea is treated with injected or oral antibiotics. You can get gonorrhea multiple times even if you’ve had it before, so you want to protect yourself from it using condoms and/or dams in addition to regular testing.
Chlamydia
This is the most commonly diagnosed STI in Australia, particularly in people between the ages of 15-29. It’s caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and spread through unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can also be spread to newborns during vaginal childbirth.
Most people who have chlamydia don’t have any symptoms. Some, though, do notice these symptoms between 2-14 days from exposure:
- Painful or burning urination
- Yellow, white, or green discharge from the penis
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Cramping or lower abdominal pain
- Vaginal bleeding when not menstruating
- Swollen and painful testicles
- Pain and/or bleeding during or after sex
It may feel like you have a urinary tract infection (UTI). But untreated chlamydia can have long-term complications, especially pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. We encourage you to check regularly for chlamydia if you are sexually active — about every 3-6 months or when you have a new partner.
Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics. However, you should wait at least a week after your treatmentbefore having unprotected sex to prevent spreading it to your partner.
HIV
This is an abbreviation for human immunodeficiency virus, which attacks immune cells in the body and can progress to AIDS if not treated. It is acquired through contact with bodily fluids, including via unprotected vaginal and anal sex.
Symptoms of HIV include fatigue, night sweats, fevers, rashes, and joint pain. It’s treated with antiretroviral drugs to stop it from continuing to harm the immune system.
To test for HIV, we can administer a test here at the Doctor Northbridge clinic. Or you can purchase an Atomo HIV Self Test here to test yourself at home. If you have a positive result on either test, our doctors will put together a personalised treatment plan with you.
Syphilis
Syphilis is an STI caused by a type of bacteria called Treponema pallidum. It is spread through unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sex, including rimming. Sharing skin-to-skin contact with someone who has syphilis can also result in an infection.
This STI is often missed because about half of people who have it experience no symptoms. Symptoms for those who do have them are broken into four categories:
- Primary syphilis – single or multiple (sometimes painful) chancre sores on the genitals, anus, or
mouth - Secondary syphilis – fever, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, hair loss, a spotty rash on the palms,
soles, or trunk, and/or warty growths around the genitals and/or anus - Latent syphilis – a period when no symptoms are experienced, though you are still infected without
being able to pass the infection on to others - Tertiary syphilis – the infection can spread to the eyes, ears, skin, heart, and nervous system,
leading to mild to severe damage and possibly becoming fatal
Syphilis is treated with different forms of antibiotics depending on its stage. Right now, there is an outbreak in Western Australia. You should be aware that being treated for syphilis doesn’t mean you can’t get it again.
Doctor Northbridge also tests for:
- Trichomoniasis
- Genital warts
- Genital herpes
- Hepatitis B and C
PReP
PReP is short for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, which is a prescription medication to lower the risk of HIV infection by 99%. It is recommended if you plan to have sex with someone who is HIV positive or who may be positive.
PReP is typically taken every day, but there are some other effective dosing regimens. You should discuss this with your doctor, and we’re happy to help you find the dosing timetable that works best for your lifestyle.
These schedules include:
- Daily - every day as a routine, starting with 2 tablets 2-24 hours before sex and then 1 tablet per day
- On-demand - for less sexually active people, starting with 2 pills at least 2 hours before sex and then 1 pill every 24 hours for the next 2 days
- Periodic - similar to on-demand, taken during periods when you need it and are planning on having a lot of sex
PReP is reasonably priced for those who have a Medicare card. People without a Medicare card oftenpurchase it abroad from an overseas pharmacy using a personal importation scheme. Low-income patients may be eligible for a coupon that covers the cost of the medication.
Two key points to know about PReP:
- If you have already tested positive for HIV, PReP will not prevent you from passing it on to a partner.
Therefore, your partner should take PReP, and you should practice safe sex. - PReP is excellent at preventing HIV infection, but it does not keep you from getting other STIs. You
should still practice safe sex and get tested regularly.
HIV Management
If you have a positive HIV test, either using a home test or a test at our clinic, our doctors will formulate a treatment plan with you. Usually, this involves taking antiretrovirals (ARVs).
Fortunately, we’ve come a long way in the treatment of HIV, and it rarely progresses to AIDS today. Many people with HIV live long, normal lives, provided they follow treatment. In addition to following your medication protocol, you should practice safe sex and encourage any partners to take PReP (see above), which is a drug that significantly reduces the chance of becoming infected with HIV to only about 1%.
Vaccinations
In addition to routine vaccines recommended by the Australian Government and travel vaccines, Doctor Northbridge also offers vaccinations at our Sexual Health Clinic:
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Combined hepatitis A and B vaccine
- Monkeypox vaccine
These vaccines are for men who have sex with men, trans people, and non-binary people who are not already immune.
Why get these vaccinations?
- They reduce the infection rate of some diseases.
- They lower the severity of symptoms of people who do become infected.
- They decrease the spread of disease in the community.
Both hepatitis A and B can be transmitted through unprotected vaginal and anal sex, fisting without gloves, sharing injecting equipment (needles), and sharing sex toys.
Ask our team if you are eligible for free hepatitis A vaccines (Havrix), hepatitis B vaccines (Engerix-B), or combined vaccines for both (Twinrix).
While there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, it can be treated with medication subsidised by Medicare.
In the same family as smallpox viruses, mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) has been part of a recent global outbreak. It usually causes milder symptoms than smallpox and is spread via:
- Skin-to-skin contact
- Prolonged exposure to someone infected with mpox
- Sharing clothes or bedding with someone who has mpox
The vaccine does not make you immune, but it reduces the likelihood of becoming infected and reduces the severity of symptoms in those who contract it.
Doctor Northbridge also offers HPV vaccinations against the human papillomavirus, which is a sexually transmitted infection affecting both men and women.
Some strains of HPV can cause:
- Genital warts and cervical cancer in women
- Anal cancer in men
- Genital and anal warts in men
- Cancers of the oral regions in women and men
Gardasil, the vaccination we offer, protects people against 9 different strains of HPV that are associated with the complications listed above. It’s the same vaccine that teenagers get in their high school vaccination program.
Gardasil is given in 3 injections over 6 months. Ask about programs that may reduce the cost for you or
even make it free.
Contraception
There are many types of contraception available to you to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Our doctors can discuss their efficacy, pros, and cons with you and help you find a method that works best for your unique
needs. Options include:
- Oral contraceptives (aka birth control pills)
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- Under-skin hormonal implants
- Patches
- Vaginal rings
- Injectable contraceptives
- Diaphragms
- Spermicides
- Condoms
We can also discuss and make referrals for permanent methods, such as vasectomies and tubal ligationsurgery.
Emergency Contraception
In Australia, you have two emergency contraception options to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. We can review these with you in the clinic to determine which is best for you. Because there is a time window involved, it’s best to contact us as soon as possible if you believe you need this type of contraception.
Emergency contraceptive pills
There are two types of emergency contraceptive pills. You do not need a prescription for these.
Levonorgestrel (LNG), also known as LNG-ECP, may be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. You’ll find these under several brand names.
Ulipristal acetate (UPA), aka UPA ECP, is a pill that can be taken up to 120 hours after unprotected sex
Copper IUD
Non-hormonal copper IUDs are also used as long-term contraceptives. However, they may also be inserted up to 120 hours after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.
LGBTIQ+ Safe Sex Education
No matter your age or where you are on your sexual journey, we want it to be a safe experience for you. We welcome the opportunity to talk with you about safe sex education. Doctor Northbridge offers consultations in a discreet, inclusive, LGBTIQ+ environment. We’re looking forward to meeting you!
Doctor Northbridge Is Here for You with Pride!
Still have questions? Feel free to ring us on (08) 6186 2456, or reach out online with your questions
at info@drnorthbridge.com.au.
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