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In the years since SmartSexResource launched, we have developed a library of questions asked by you, and answered by our expert sexual health nurses.

Our answered questions library cover a broad range of sexual health topics and common questions we hear at our clinics.

Categories

  • Syphilis(10)
  • STI Prevention(56)
  • STI Transmission(334)
  • STI Symptoms(135)
  • Your Body(29)
  • Sexual Concerns(9)
  • STI Testing(249)
  • Contraception and Pregnancy(57)
  • Pleasure(10)
  • Relationships(15)
  • STI Treatment(33)
  • Clinics and Services(41)
  • STI Information(50)
  • Sexuality(7)

What to do if

  • I blacked out last night.
  • I have concerns about sexual assault or abuse.
  • I might be pregnant.
  • I’m worried I have something.
  • Someone I slept with is positive.
  • The condom broke.
  • We didn’t use protection.

All Q&A (1027)

I want to be tested for ‘everything.’ Why can’t I just choose all the tests?

It’s normal to want to be sure, but getting every possible test isn’t always helpful — and can sometimes cause confusion or worry. STI testing recommendations are based on research and guidelines that help decide which tests are needed and when.

Our bodies naturally have some bacteria and viruses that don’t cause harm, and don’t need treatment. That’s why we recommend tests based on your situation, to make sure you get the care that’s right for you.

This answer was posted on June 20, 2025.

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I want to know if I have HPV. Why can’t I get tested?

In BC, the only HPV test available is used for cervix screening. This means you can’t ask your doctor, clinic, or lab for an HPV test, even if a sexual partner tells you they have HPV.

There are a few reasons for this. The HPV test used in cervix screening only checks for the types of HPV linked to cervical cancer. It does not test for the types that cause genital warts, other types of cancer, or the types that don’t cause any symptoms at all.

Instead of testing everyone for HPV, health care providers look for signs or complications from the infection and follow up if needed.

This answer was posted on June 20, 2025.

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I want to get tested for mycoplasma genitalium. Can I?

Mycoplasma genitalium is a common infection that often causes no symptoms and usually goes away on its own without treatment. In most cases testing or treatment isn’t needed unless you’re having symptoms.

Because of this, testing for Mycoplasma genitalium isn’t recommended for most people. STI testing recommendations are based on research and guidelines that help decide which tests are needed and when. Unnecessary testing and treatment can lead to using antibiotics when they’re not needed. This can make it harder to treat infections in the future.

If you do have symptoms like unusual discharge, pain when peeing, or pelvic discomfort, talk to a health care provider. They can help decide if testing is right for you.

This answer was posted on June 20, 2025.

This answer was updated on June 27, 2025.

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What is antibiotic resistance?

Over time bacteria can change and evolve. These changes can make it so that certain medication no longer works to treat the infection. This is called antibiotic resistance.

This answer was posted on June 9, 2025.

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Why has treatment for gonorrhea changed?

The bacteria that cause gonorrhea have changed and some of the medicine we have used no longer works as well against them. We have to use different medicine that can stop the infection. Learn more about gonorrhea treatment and antibiotic resistance with this handout.  

This answer was posted on June 9, 2025.

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Will my test results be negative if I had syphilis in the past?

After you have had syphilis, future blood tests will show that you have antibodies, which is your body’s memory of the infection.

Your blood tests will show if you have a new infection or not. This is because each blood sample will have 3 tests performed on it to help get a full picture.

This answer was posted on December 4, 2024.

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Why is follow-up syphilis testing important after treatment?

It is important to get syphilis blood testing every three to six months after treatment to make sure that the treatment was effective. Repeat blood testing for syphilis will also let us know if there is a new infection so it can be treated as quickly as possible.

After treatment your future blood tests will show that you have antibodies for syphilis, which is your body’s memory of the infection. The number of antibodies should continue to go down over the next year or two.

This answer was posted on December 4, 2024.

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I was treated for syphilis, but my partner was not. Can they re-infect me if they tested negative?

It can take up to 3 months after sexual contact for a blood test to show that someone has syphilis, so your partner could still have the infection even if they tested negative. This means that you could be re-infected if you have sex before they are treated.

This answer was posted on December 4, 2024.

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How do I know how many partners to notify if I was recently been diagnosed with syphilis?

By looking at your test results, symptoms and medical history, your healthcare provider can get a good idea of how long you may have been infected with syphilis.

  • If you are diagnosed with Primary Syphilis, you are considered to have been exposed within three months before your symptoms started. You would be asked to notify your partners in that time frame.
  • If your diagnosis is Secondary Syphilis, partners from 6 months before your symptoms started should be notified.
  • If you haven’t had a Syphilis test within the last year, you will be asked to notify all partners from the last year to be notified.

If you are diagnosed with syphilis, all sexual partners from the last 3 months will be asked to get treatment as well as testing.

This answer was posted on December 4, 2024.

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What can I do to help decrease discomfort with syphilis treatment injections?

You might experience discomfort or pain during or after injectable syphilis treatment. Some options to reduce this include:

  • Take Acetaminophen and/or Ibuprofen about 30-45 minutes before treatment.
  • Bring a support person with you to your appointment for treatment.
  • Try to distract yourself during the treatment – feel free to use your phone to read or play a game.
  • If you are lying face down for the treatment, point your toes inward to help relax the hip muscles.
  • Try to move around as much as possible after the treatment – this will help the medication to move away from the injection site and decrease the discomfort.
  • You can take another dose of Acetaminophen 4 hours later, or Ibuprofen 6 hours later.
  • Apply ice soon after treatment (this will help to stop more swelling at the injection sites) and heat later in the day (this will help the swelling to move away from the injection sites)

This answer was posted on December 4, 2024.

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