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Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have no visible symptoms. Lots of STIs are treatable. Although the highest rates are in young adults 15 to 24 years of age, STIs are a risk at all ages.

STI Prevention

Whether you are having sex or thinking of having sex, you need to know how to prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections (OPH):

  • Always use latex or polyurethane condoms or latex barriers (dams) during sex (including oral sex).
  • Only use a water-based lubricant with latex condoms, as an oil-based lubricant will cause the latex to break.
  • If using sex toys, use condoms and dental dams to help prevent the spread of STIs. Proper cleaning of sex toys is necessary to avoid transmission of STIs.
  • Get tested once a year and before you have sex with a new partner or if you think you may have an STI.
  • Inform your partner(s) if you test positive for an STI.
  • Limit the amount of alcohol or drugs you use before you have sex. Alcohol or drugs can affect your decision-making and negotiating skills. This may put you at an increased risk of getting an STI.

 

 

STI Testing at BWFHT and other locations in Ottawa

The ONLY way to know if you have HIV or another STI is to get tested. Regular testing is an important part of sexual health. Knowing if you have an STI is the first step to keeping yourself and your partners healthy.

  • By appointment: Call the clinic at 613-564-3950 or book an appointment (often available that same day) for STI and HIV testing with your family physician or nurse practitioner. If you don’t yet have a family physician at BWFHT you can register online and then book an appointment.

STI and HIV Testing is also available at these locations in the Ottawa Area:

STBBIs – Sexually Transmitted Blood-borne Infections Testing

  • Concerned you might have an STI? You can see a physician or nurse practitioner. Book an appointment with your family health care provider.
  • HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) – Looking for confidential and fast testing for HIV? Go to University of Ottawa Health Promotion (located at University Centre – 203) on Wednesdays from September-April for free, rapid and anonymous HIV testing. You can drop by or call to book an appointment at 613-562-5800 ext 4372.
  • Looking for another place to get STI testing? The Ottawa Public Health Sexual Health Clinic offers similar services, If you live in Gatineau, you can go to Clinique Santé Sexualité du Plateau.

Are you at risk? Should you get tested? Take the test!

Pap Test – Cervical Cancer Screening

Looking to get a Pap test? Book an appointment with your family physician or nurse practitioner.

What is a Pap test?

HPVinfo: Spread the word, not the disease. The facts on the human papillomavirus from Canada’s experts.

HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

What is HPV?

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. Around 75% of sexually active Canadians will get at least one HPV infection in their lifetime.

There are many strains of HPV, some of which cause no symptoms and others that can cause anogenital warts and certain cancers.

What are the symptoms?

Many HPV infections will cause no symptoms and will go away on their own within 24 months. However, HPV can stay in the body and cause anal and genital warts and cancers of the head and neck, cervix, vagina, vulva, anus and penis.

How does HPV spread?

HPV is spread through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity, which includes vaginal, anal and oral sex. It can also be spread through other intimate contact with the genital areas. As most HPV infections do not cause symptoms, the virus easily passes from person-to –person.

Who is at risk for HPV?

Individuals of any age, gender or sexual orientation are at risk. Those with previous sexually transmitted infections (STIs), weakened immune systems and/or men who have sex with men are at a higher risk of HPV infection.

In general, the more sexual encounters one has, the greater the risk of being infected by HPV. However, HPV can be transmitted on the first sexual encounter if that partner is infected.

How do I prevent HPV infection?

Condoms and monogamous relationships do not adequately protect against HPV infections. Immunization with the HPV vaccine is the most effective way to protect yourself against 9 strains of HPV that cause certain cancers and genital warts.

What is the HPV vaccine?

Gardasil-9 is the HPV vaccine that protects against 9 strains of HPV (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58) that cause:

  • 90% of cervical cancer cases
  • at least 25% of vulvar cases
  • 74% of vaginal cancers
  • 80–90% of anal cancers and precancers
  • 70% of certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers
  • and the 2 HPV types that cause over 90% of genital warts

Gardasil-9 does not treat a current HPV infection or types of HPV that a person may have already been exposed to. It does, however, prevent infection from the HPV types that a person has not yet been exposed to.

Who should get Gardasil-9?

Individuals aged 9-45 are eligible to receive the Gardasil vaccine.

Getting vaccinated at a younger age before becoming sexually active ensures that the individual is protected against HPV when they do engage in sexual activities. However, individuals who are already sexually active can still benefit from vaccination, as Gardasil will protect against HPV types that the person has not yet been exposed to.

What to expect from Gardasil-9?

Gardasil is vaccine that is injected into the muscle of the arm. Depending on your age, Gardasil is given as 1 or 2 doses spaced 6 months apart.

If you have a weakened immune system, 3 doses are recommended, given at 0, 2 and 6 months.

How effective is Gardasil-9?

Gardasil-9 is very effective at preventing infection with 9 strains of HPV that can cause cancers and genital warts.

What are the side effects of Gardasil-9?

The most common side effects include:

  • Pain, swelling, redness, itching, bruising, bleeding and a lump where you received the vaccine
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Tiredness
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Sore throat

These are not all of the side effects. Please speak with your health care provider or pharmacist for a complete list of side effects.

What is the cost of Gardasil-9?

The Gardasil-9 vaccine is covered by the Ontario provincial government when students are in Grade 7. If the vaccine series is missed in Grade 7, it will be covered until Grade 12. After that, it is only covered by the province for the following high-risk groups:

  • Men who have sex with men (MSM), who are 26 years of age or younger, and who identify as gay and/or bisexual
  • Some individuals who identify as trans and who have not started their HPV vaccine series before September 5, 2017

Most private drug insurance plans will cover most or all the cost of the vaccine. Please contact your private insurer directly to inquire.

If purchasing Gardasil-9 without provincial or private coverage, 1 dose of the vaccine is approximately $240.

How do I access the Gardasil-9 vaccine?

For those who are not eligible for Gardasil through the provincial program, a prescription can be requested from your health care provider. Please contact the clinic to book an appointment with your prescriber to discuss.

UTI - Urinary Tract Infections

Concerned you might have a UTI? You can book an appointment with a physician or nurse practitioner.

Questions about your sexual health?
  • Want to find resources accessible to you as a student? Check out uOttawa Health Promotion on campus. Or if you are in the Outaouais region, you can book an appointment at your local CLSC.
  • SexandU: A real-life approach to the questions and issues around sex and sexuality that matter most to Canadians.
  • Want to ask sexual health questions anonymously? You can live chat or call Sexual Health Ontario. There’s also an app for that. Check out My Sex Doctor.

LGBTQ+

  • Looking for programs and services catered to gay, bi, transmen and other men who have sex with men in the Ottawa area? The Gay ZONE (a.k.a Gay Men’s Sexual Health Clinic) can provide screening and treatment for STIs, etc. Or check out MAX Ottawa’s health connection for guys into guys.
  • Looking for service delivery catered to Trans, Two-Spirit, Intersex and Gender Diverse Communities? The Ottawa CHC Trans Health Program has culturally safe primary health, mental health and community based service.
Looking for birth control?
  • Want an IUD/IUC insertion? Talk to your health care provider and have them refer you to this service using the IUC referral form located on our website.
  • What to expect at an IUC visit.
  • It’sAPlan: Helping you make decisions about contraception.
  • Book an appointment with your family physician or nurse practitioner to discuss options.
  • Looking for emergency birth control? The LINK can help explain the options.
Want to ask a specialist?

Gynecology

  • Have concerns about your reproductive (women’s) health? Check out the services offered at our clinic.
  • YourPeriod: The facts on menstruation from Canada’s experts.
  • Concerned about incontinence and the muscles of your pelvic floor? Here is a list of pelvic floor physiotherapists in the Ottawa region.
  • Want to track your period and ovulation cycle? There’s an App for that. Check out Clue.
  • MenopauseandU: The facts on menopause from Canada’s experts.

Obstetrics

  • Are you newly pregnant and need a care provider? Our specialists can provide care during your pregnancy.
  • PregnancyInfo: The facts on pregnancy and childbirth from Canada’s experts.

Unplanned Pregnancy

Have you recently experienced sexual assault or domestic violence?
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