Sexual Health

Your sexual health is an important part of your overall wellbeing. It includes family planning, contraception, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), support for unplanned pregnancies, and fertility advice. Your sexual health also impacts the health of your sexual partners, and pregnant women who have sexually transmitted Infections (STIs) could pass it to their babies. Some STIs also increase your risk of getting HIV, while others can cause cancers and even infertility.  

All our primary healthcare clinics offer sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning and STI care. We also partner with private service providers to ensure everyone has access to safe sexual health services. All services at our health facilities are safe, voluntary, confidential, and available to everyone. 

Family planning and contraception 
You can receive counselling and choose from a variety of safe and effective methods to avoid pregnancy. Your healthcare worker will discuss your options with you, which can include: 

• Condoms (male and female): Free, and the only method that protects against both pregnancy and STIs.
• Oral contraceptives (the pill)
• Injection
• Implanon (implant): Lasts up to three years
• IUD (intrauterine device): Lasts up to five years
• Sterilisation: A permanent option for adults (18+) through a minor procedure
• Safe abortion services: Speak to your healthcare worker about available options to terminate your pregnancy should you qualify for this service. 

STI prevention, testing and treatment 

STIs are common among sexually active people, especially when you have sex without a condom.  

To prevent getting a STI, you should: 

• always use a condom when having sex. Male and female condoms are available for free at your clinic; 
• Reduce the number of people you have sex with; and 
• Consider medical male circumcision (for men) as it offers additional protection against HIV and certain STIs.
• Talk to your healthcare worker about HIV prevention medication. 

If you had unprotected sex, or have sex with multiple partners, you can ask your healthcare worker to screen you for STIs. If you test positive for an STI, healthcare workers will provide treatment, counselling, and support to manage your health. All consultations are confidential. 

STI symptoms: 

Not everyone with an STI will have symptoms. Even without symptoms, STIs can still be spread to partners and may cause long-term health problems if untreated. Therefore regular check-ups and testing are important. When symptoms do occur, they may include: 

• Unusual discharge from the penis, vagina, or anus
• Burning or pain when urinating
• Sores, blisters, or warts in the genital, anal, or mouth area
• Itching, swelling, or redness around the genitals
• Pain during sex
• Lower abdominal pain (in women)
• Pain or swelling in the testicles (in men) 

Accessing sexual health services 

1. Visit your nearest public clinic or reproductive health centre.
2. Ask for sexual and reproductive health services (family planning, contraception, or STI care).
3. You may be offered counselling, testing, and advice on contraception options and preventing STIs.
4. Some services, such as the implanon, IUD, sterilisation, termination of pregnancy (abortion), and medical male circumcision may require a booking. The healthcare worker at your clinic will guide you. 

More resources: 

• Contraceptive options explained
• Safe abortion information or ask at your local clinic
• STI information and FAQs – available at your nearest clinic