Our approach to sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common, and we understand that discussing your sexual health can be difficult. Our compassionate and experienced team is here to help.

We offer confidential testing and treatment for a wide range of STIs and will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. We're here to support you every step of the way.

Conditions we treat

• bacterial vaginosis (BV)
• chlamydia
• gonorrhea
• genital herpes
• HIV
• human papillomavirus (HPV)
• mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen)
• pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• syphilis
• trichomoniasis

Signs and symptoms of an STI

STIs don't always cause symptoms, but if left untreated, they can lead to serious health problems/long term complications. It's important to be aware of the signs and symptoms so you can take action if you think you may have an infection.

Symptoms in women may include

• a change in vaginal discharge (thicker, discolored or bad-smelling) over several days to two weeks
• pain, burning or itching while urinating that lasts more than 24 hours
• pain during sexual intercourse
• pain or a feeling of heaviness in the pelvic or lower abdominal area
• itching, tingling, burning or pain on or around the genitals
• sores, lumps, blisters, rashes or warts on or around the genitals or bottom
• vaginal spotting or bleeding after sexual intercourse
• sores in the throat

Symptoms in men may include

• rash
• sores or bumps on the genitals or in the oral or rectal area
• painful or burning urination
• discharge from the penis
• pain during sex
• sore, swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the groin but sometimes more widespread

When to seek care

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to seek care right away.

Many STI symptoms will go away or change quickly. This does not mean that the STI has gone away. Early diagnosis and treatment of STIs can help prevent serious health problems.

If you may have been exposed to an STI, don’t have sexual contact or activity until you've been checked by your doctor. This reduces the risk of spreading a possible infection to your sex partner. Your partner may also need to be checked and treated.

Our steps to a diagnosis

Your doctor can perform an initial physical exam and discuss your symptoms. Depending on your symptoms, you may be referred for further testing.

These tests may include blood, urine and culture tests to detect the presence of STIs.

Our treatment options

We take your individual symptoms and risks into consideration to develop a treatment plan that works for you.

Treatment options depend on your diagnosis and may include:

• Antibiotics: Antibiotics can cure STIs caused by bacteria, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.
• Antiviral medications: Antiviral medications can relieve symptoms of STIs caused by viruses, such as genital herpes and genital warts.
• Antiretroviral therapy (ART): ART is a combination of medications that can help the immune system stay healthy and delay or prevent AIDS.