Sexual Health
Expert Advice And Care

Frequently asked questions

• Is there a cure for Genital Herpes?

  Whilst no cure exists for genital herpes, symptoms can often be managed with antiviral medication. It remains important to contain the spread of HSV by abstaining from sexual activity until all sores have cleared. For added prevention, condom use should continue even after symptoms have cleared.

• What medication can I take to treat Genital Herpes?

  Genital herpes is most often treated with antiviral medication, such as aciclovir and valaciclovir. A local anaesthetic, lidocaine ointment, can also be used on the affected skin.

• Who gets Genital Warts?

  If you are sexually active, evidence suggests that at some point during your life you will suffer with some form of HPV infection, though not necessarily genital warts. Most HPV infections will go unnoticed and will clear up spontaneously without the need for treatment.

• How is Genital Herpes transmitted?

  HSV can spread in many ways:

  • By direct contact with the affected area during sex. This does not require penetrative (vaginal or anal) sex; infection can spread just from close genital contact.
  • By contact with the skin if, during sex, skin on which the virus is active is unprotected by a condom or by a latex or polyurethane square.
  • When receiving oral sex from a partner with a cold sore. This can occur even if the partner’s symptoms have not yet appeared.
  • When touched in the genital, vaginal or anal area by a partner with herpes on the finger or hand.
  • By sharing sex toys.

  Herpes is most frequently spread either right before, during, or just after an outbreak or recurrence. HSV can be both caught and spread by both men and women. However, it cannot be acquired from baths or swimming pools, from hugging, or from sharing towels, drinks or cutlery.

• What about HPV, cancer and Genital Warts?

  The strains of HPV linked to cervical cancer are not usually the types linked with genital warts (HPV 6 & 11). However, a woman with genital warts, like any other sexually active woman, should have regular smears to check their cervix.

  HPV immunisation and regular cervical smears are the best safeguard against cervical cancer. Cervical smears detect abnormal cells present on the surface of the cervix. Cancer almost always can be prevented through the early detection and treatment of abnormal cervical tissue.

• Should I Get Tested Again For Chlamydia After Treatment?

  Even after successful treatment, it can take up to six weeks for a chlamydia test to show a negative result. That’s why retesting isn’t usually recommended until around three months after finishing your treatment.

  However, it’s a good idea to take another test at that point, especially if you’ve met a new partner, to make sure you haven’t been re-infected and to help protect both your health and theirs.

• What happens if chlamydia is left untreated?

  It is a bad idea to leave Chlamydia untreated as it can cause serious health complications for those that are infected. In women, they can develop pelvic inflammatory disease which can cause infertility and chronic pelvic pain. If left untreated in men, chlamydia can cause persistent cystitis (UTI) and pain or inflammation in the testicles.

  If this sexually transmitted disease is not treated properly then the carrier risks passing the infection to other people.