Young Persons' STI testing and treatment
If you need an STI check-up, you may also be looking for advice on emergency contraception or pregnancy tests.
- Where can I go to get STI tests and treatment?
- Self-Testing
- Do I need a test?
- Types of STIs
- Sexwise STI videos
Where can I go to get STI tests and treatment?
- (Walk in) Sexual Health Clinics (no appointment needed)
- GPs
- Healthy Living Pharmacies
- Get a Self-Test/Home Test Kit
Walk In Clinics (no appointment needed)
Sexual Health Clinics (you may hear them called GUM clinics – Genitourinary Medicine), are a one stop shop for all things related to your sexual health. It's normal to feel nervous before visiting a clinic for the first time - it might help to check out our page on what to expect when visiting a clinic.
There are two walk in clinics for teens and young people under 25. They offer testing and treatment of STIs, free condoms and all types of contraception. If you are concerned about HIV, have symptoms or need support after sexual assault, you may need to visit a different clinic - find the right clinic for you on the Sexual Health Clinics page.
Morum House Medical Centre (click for map - external link) - Bounds Green Road, Wood Green, N22 8HE.
- Wednesday, 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 7pm - closed between 11am and 4pm on the first Wednesday each month for staff training
- Friday, 8am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm
Lordship Lane Health Centre (click for map - external link) - 239 Lordship Lane, N17 6AA.
- Monday, 9am to 12 noon and 1pm to 4pm | Tuesday and Thursday, 12 noon to 3pm and 4pm to 7pm | Saturday, 9am to 11am
Self Testing
If you can’t get to a sexual health clinic or your GP, you may want to order a free self-testing kit. You can self-test for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and HIV.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea
You can get free postal kits by visiting one of the Healthy Living Pharmacies if you are 15-25.
You can order a free chlamydia only self-testing kit from the Check Urself website (external link) if you are 16-24.
If you are under 15 then you will need to go to a sexual health clinic to access testing.
HIV
Some people are eligible for a free self-sampling HIV kit. Check if you can get one at the test.hiv website (external link).
If you are over 18, you can access HIV point of care tests (immediate, on the spot HIV tests) at some Haringey pharmacies. Check the Healthy Living Pharmacy page to find a pharmacy that offers HIV tests.
If you are under 18 and concerned you have been at risk of HIV, visit your nearest sexual health clinic immediately.
Do I need a test?
Condoms are the best way to protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). If you have had any kind of sex without a condom, then you should get tested for STIs – even if you have no symptoms… Most women with chlamydia have no symptoms. 50% of women and 10% of men with gonorrhoea have no symptoms. Left untreated, STIs can affect your health and future fertility.
If you regularly have unprotected sex, then you should get tested every three months. You should have a test every time you have unprotected sex with a new partner.
STI tests check for the most common STIs - these include chlamydia and gonorrhoea. You may also be tested for HIV, Hep B, Hep C and syphilis, depending on what kind of sex you have.
Common Symptoms
You should get an STI test if you have any of the common symptoms below – any of these (or no symptoms!) could mean you have an STI (they may also be caused by something else which would be good to know about).
- Pain when you pass urine, itching / burning / tingling around your genitals, blisters / sore / spots / lumps around the genitals or anus, black power or white dots in your underwear (droppings/eggs from pubic lice)
- Discharge from the penis, irritation to the urethra
- Yellow / green / offensive smelling vaginal discharge, bleeding between periods or after sex, pain during sex, lower tummy pain
Types of STIs
NHS Choices has great, up to date, information about STIs on their dedicated web page (external link). You can find information about some common infections such as (all external links to NHS Choices site): Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Trichomoniasis, Genital warts, Genital herpes, Pubic lice, Scabies, Syphilis and HIV.
You can find specific information on our pages about LGBT+ Sexual Health and HIV PEP and PrEP.
Sexwise STI videos
Watch these STI videos from Sexwise (external link).
Koalas talk Chlamydia
Note for iPhone users and Youtube. There is a known bug with iOS and Youtube, Two buttons are read before the player but provide no functionality. We advise that you skip these to access the content.
Owls talk Genital Herpes
Note for iPhone users and Youtube. There is a known bug with iOS and Youtube, Two buttons are read before the player but provide no functionality. We advise that you skip these to access the content.
Back to: Young Persons Under 25 page.