Sexual health

Read more about common symptoms of STIs and how to get tested. Free condoms are available in our waiting room to protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Free condoms

We have seen a significant increase in gonorrhoea cases in Bristol. Using a condom is one of the best ways to avoid catching and spreading STIs, including gonorrhoea. Free condoms are available in the waiting room at the Students' Health Service. You can also order free condoms online through the Yuno Sexual Health website. These will be discreetly posted direct to your door for free.

STI testing is freely available to everyone. They can be done at home by ordering a test kit from the Yuno Sexual Health website. You can also make an appointment with local Yuno sexual health clinic for free, confidential in-person testing and treatment.

HIV prevention

If you are at risk of HIV infection through condomless sex, find out more about Yuno's free online PrEP service. PrEP is a pill taken before sex that offers a high level of protection against HIV. You can also visit your local Yuno sexual health clinic in-person. They can give you advice about PrEP and a prescription if appropriate.

If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV, you can take a medication called PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) to reduce your chance of contracting HIV. You need to start PEP as soon as possible after sex and no more than 72 hours later. Make an appointment with your local Yuno sexual health clinic. You can also go to Accident & Emergency at the nearest hospital.

Screening for STIs if you don't have symptoms

Due to changes in the national screening programme, we can only offer tests to:

  • women
  • men with symptoms
  • anyone who is a contact of someone who has chlamydia. 

If you are male and worried but don't have any symptoms, you can still order a postal kit for free from the Yuno website.

Self test kits for girls and women are available for free in the practice in the waiting room (pink and white striped bags). You will need to return your test kit to one of the sample boxes in the practice. You do not need an appointment for this test.

Worried you might have a sexually transmitted infection?

Book an appointment with a nurse or doctor if you are worried or have symptoms. Symptoms might include:

  • Pain when you pass urine
  • Discharge
  • Genital or rectal blisters or sores
  • In women, bleeding between periods or after sex
  • In men, pain around the testes

Some non-sexually transmitted conditions such as thrush and bacterial vaginosis (BV) can also have similar symptoms. Visit the Yuno website for free postal kits for STI screening. This includes a blood spot test for HIV/Hepatitis and Syphilis.

Think you might be pregnant?

The Yuno website has more information about:

  • ordering free emergency contraception online
  • pregnancy testing
  • advice on figuring out what to do next.