Clinics in East London

What are the symptoms of an STI?

Most men and women do not experience any symptoms when they have an STI, especially in the early days and weeks after a new infection. The only way to know if you have an STI is to get tested.

Symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease can include:

• Unusual discharge from the vagina, penis, or anus

• Painful urination

• Pain during sexual intercourse

• Blemishes such as sores, blisters, bumps, or rashes on the genitals, rectum, or mouth

• Itching around the genital area

• Abdominal pain

• Flu-like symptoms, including fever and headaches

• Unusual weight loss

• In women: unusual vaginal bleeding, especially after sex

If you are concerned about your sexual health, get tested today at a Better2Know clinic in East London. You can book online now by selecting the clinic from the map above.

I do not know what to get tested for. What should I do?

If you are concerned about STIs but do not know what to test for, book Better2Know's Full Screen at our East London sexual health clinic.

Our Full Screen is designed to provide you with a comprehensive overview of your sexual health status, testing for a wide range of infections.

This screen uses blood and urine samples to test for:

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

• Syphilis

• Chlamydia

• Gonorrhoea

• Hepatitis B

• Mycoplasma

• Ureaplasma

Book your appointment online by choosing the East London sexual health clinic nearest you on the map on this page.

What samples do I need to provide for my STI test?

Most tests or screens offered by Better2Know only require a blood sample or urine sample. Some tests may require a swab sample, which is only used in certain circumstances.  

The samples you need to provide depend on what you are getting tested for. If you are uncomfortable providing a particular sample, you can filter the search results by sample type during your online booking process.

Call our 24/7 East London helpline for more information about our STD tests.

My partner and I did not have sexual intercourse. Am I safe?

While STIs are most commonly spread through full sexual intercourse, they can also be transmitted in other ways. STIs can spread through genital-to-genital contact, sexual activity without ejaculation, and sharing sex toys.

Some STIs can even spread through non-sexual activities. For example, Syphilis and Herpes can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, while HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C can spread through blood-to-blood contact, such as needle stick injuries or sharing needles during intravenous drug use.

To learn more about how sexually transmitted infection can spread, call our friendly Sexual Health Advisors, available 24/7 on the East London helpline. The number is at the top of this page.