
The LGBTQ+ Community
Gays & Bisexual Men
Gay and bisexual men, like all men, need to be aware of the ways they can protect their health through all stages of life. Among men who have sex with men (MSM), there are higher rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). Getting tested for HIV and STIs is a first step in protecting your health. Knowing you are infected allows you to get the care that you need to stay healthy and take steps to protect your partners.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION?
Most sexually transmitted infections do not have any signs or symptoms. But when they do appear, they can be:
Discharge from penis
Sores, blisters, growths or ulcers on genital areas
Rashes in the genital or anal area
Fever, swollen glands, flu-like illness, body rash or unexplained weight loss
Pain when passing urine or irritation inside the tip of the penis
Discharge or pain in the rectum
WHAT TESTS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR GAYS AND BISEXUAL MEN?
HIV (once a year)
Syphilis
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Genital Herpes
Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea testing of throat (if you had receptive oral sex in the past year)
Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea testing of penis (if you had insertive sex or oral sex in the past year)
Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea testing of rectum (if you had receptive anal sex in the past year)
You may wish to test more often (3 - 6 monthly) if you have multiple or anonymous sexual partners, have sex together with drug use or have sex with sexual partners that participate in these activities.
WHAT VACCINATIONS ARE RECOMMENDED?
Please refer here for more information on vaccinations offered by the DSC Clinic.
HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF FROM SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AND HIV?
Don’t have oral, vaginal or anal sex.
Be in a long term, mutually exclusive sexual relationship.
Use a condom every time you have oral, vaginal or anal sex.
Avoid sharing sex toys.
Be honest and open with your doctor about your sexual behavior so they can provide you with the best and most appropriate care.
Lesbians & Bisexual Women
Lesbians and bisexual women, like all women, need to be aware of the ways they can protect their health through all stages of life. Getting tested for HIV and STIs is a first step in protecting your health. Knowing you are infected allows you to get the care that you need to stay healthy and take steps to protect your partners.
![]() | Transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among WSW
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WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION?
Most sexually transmitted infections do not have any signs or symptoms. But when they do appear, they can be:
Discharge from vagina
Sores, blisters, growths or ulcers on genital areas
Rashes on palms or bottom of feet
Lower abdominal pain
Pain during sex or when passing urine
WHAT TESTS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR LESBIANS AND BISEXUAL WOMEN?
HIV (once a year)
Chlamydia
Pap Smear
Syphilis
Hepatitis B
Trichomoniasis
Bacterial Vaginosis
HPV test
Gonorrhoea
You may wish to test more often (3 - 6 monthly) if you have multiple or anonymous sexual partners, have sex together with drug use or have sex with sexual partners that participate in these activities.
WHAT VACCINATIONS ARE RECOMMENDED?
Hepatitis B
HPV vaccination for females aged 9 - 26 years old
Please refer here for more information on vaccinations offered by the DSC Clinic.
HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF FROM SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AND HIV?
Don’t have oral, vaginal or anal sex
Be in a long term, mutually exclusive sexual relationship.
Use a condom every time you have oral, vaginal or anal sex.
Avoid sharing sex toys.
Be honest and open with your doctor about your sexual behavior so they can provide you with the best and most appropriate care.
Transgender Persons
Both transgender males and females need to equip themselves with basic information about sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV, particularly, how these infections spread, how to protect oneself and the available treatment options.
![]() | Transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
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WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION?
Most sexually transmitted infections do not have any signs or symptoms. But when they do appear, they can be:
Discharge from genital or anal area
Sores, blisters, growths or ulcers on genital areas
Rashes on palms or bottom of feet
Lower abdominal pain
Pain during sex or when passing urine
WHAT TESTS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR TRANSGENDER PERSONS?
HIV (once a year)
Chlamydia
Pap Smear
Syphilis
Hepatitis B
Trichomoniasis
Bacterial Vaginosis
HPV test
Gonorrhoea
You may wish to test more often (3 - 6 monthly) if you have multiple or anonymous sexual partners, have sex together with drug use or have sex with sexual partners that participate in these activities.
WHAT VACCINATIONS ARE RECOMMENDED?
Hepatitis B
HPV
Please refer here for more information on vaccinations offered by the DSC Clinic.
HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF FROM SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AND HIV?
Don’t have oral, vaginal or anal sex.
Be in a long term, mutually exclusive sexual relationship.
Use a condom every time you have oral, vaginal or anal sex.
Avoid sharing sex toys.
Be honest and open with your doctor about your sexual behavior so they can provide you with the best and most appropriate care.
Go for regular testing.
Screening & Vaccination for MSM
![]() | Why do men who have sex with men need STI screening tests and vaccinations?
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BLOOD TEST
HIV
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2)
Syphilis
URINE SAMPLE
Chlamydia
Gonorrhoea
Throat Swap
Anal Swab
Chlamydia
Even if you don’t have receptive anal sex, that is, being the “bottom” partner, you can still get these in the rectum through other activities like rimming and fingering.
If you present with symptoms, you may need other tests such as:
Urethra Swab
Ulcer Swab
If blood tests show you are not immune to hepatitis A or B, you should get vaccinated. Once you are immune to these you no longer need to include them in your STI screens.
* Hepatitis C should be tested if you are HIV positive or have ever injected recreational drugs.
** Herpes testing may be considered depending on your exposure and condition.
Clinic for Men & Women
![]() Men's Clinic
| ![]() Women's Clinic
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DSC Guidebooks to STIs & Good Health
Last updated: 26 Feb 2026





