Sexual Health

Chlamydia is one of the most common STI's in the UK. We recommend sexual active men and woman under the age of 25 take a Chlamydia test once a year or and when you have sex with new or casual partners. 

Symptoms of Chlamydia include pain during urination, abnormal discharge, bleeding after sex or between periods and abdominal pain and in men, pain and swelling of testicles.

It is important to remember that Chlamydia is often asymptomatic, meaning you may not notice any obvious signs you are infected, so regular testing will help to detect the disease even when you can't.

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial disease contracted from unprotected sex. It is very common with many experiencing no symptoms at all. Those who do experience symptoms may have thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when urinating and, in women, bleeding between periods.

Gonorrhoea is particularly dangerous for pregnant women as the disease can be passed to the child and if it is not treated promptly, can cause permanent blindness.

Genital herpes is characterised by symptoms of small blisters that burst to leave red, open sores. You may experience tingling, burning or itching around your genitals and pain when you urinate. In women there may be a change in vaginal discharge, swollen glands, feeling of pressure in the area below the stomach, to name only a few.

Unfortunately there is no cure for Herpes, but VIDA Clinics can assist with treatments that help to lessen the impact of the symptoms.

Syphilis is a serious bacterial infection and while some experience no symptoms others may find they have small, painless sores or ulcers, a rash that occurs on hands or feet, white patches in the mouth and more general feelings of illness such as headaches or fever.

Syphilis is particularly dangerous for pregnant women who can pass the bacterial infection to their unborn child causing serious birth defects, miscarriage or death, don't hesitate to put your mind at ease and book a simple and easy check up today.

HIV / AIDS is a very serious STI which has no cure. 

Human immunodeficiency virus, otherwise known as HIV, is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system. When this happens it weakens your ability to fight off everyday infections or diseases.

In time, HIV may develop in to AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome. This is the term used to describe a number of potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses that happen when your immune system has been severely damaged by the HIV virus.

While you cannot catch AIDS, you can contract HIV from unprotected sex, often experiencing only mild, general flu-like symptoms, don't hesitate to get tested today to ensure your sexual health.