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Sexual Health Fact Sheets

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These fact sheets provide up to date information on many different sexual health conditions and issues. Some fact sheets are translated in other languages with code as follows.

Some fact sheets are translated into other languages

CS - Chinese Simplified
CT - Chinese Traditional

K - Korean
T - Thai

Fact Sheets A to L

STI / Condition	Summary Information	Fact sheet in LOTE (PDF)
Bacterial vaginosis	Caused by a change in the normal balance of vaginal bacteria. Symptoms may include: Strong vaginal odour Increased/change in discharge Vaginal discomfort	Chinese (CS) Chinese (CT) Korean (K) Thai (T)
Balanitis	Inflammation of the glans (head) of the penis and/or foreskin. Most common symptoms: a blotchy red rash, rash may be itchy	Chinese (CS) Chinese (CT) Korean (K) Thai (T)
Chlamydia	A very common bacterial STI affecting both men and women. Many people do not notice any symptoms. Symptoms may include: stinging or burning when passing urine discharge from penis (often clear) redness at opening of penis change in vaginal discharge pelvic pain, including pain during sex (women only) irregular bleeding (especially after sex)	Chinese (CS) Chinese (CT) Korean (K) Thai (T)
Emergency contraception	Emergency contraception effectively reduces the risk of pregnancy following unprotected sex. It must be taken within 5 days of unprotected sex although is more effective if taken as early as possible.
Genital skin care	Genital skin is very sensitive. Many genital skin irritations are not caused by STIs. 3 key facts for good genital skin care: Avoid irritants Keep dry Don’t scratch or rub	Chinese (CS) Chinese (CT) Korean (K) Thai (T)
HPV (Human papilomavirus) Genital warts Anal Cancer	Many people do not notice symptoms as you can have this virus and not have any warts. Symptoms may include : painless bumps around the genitals and buttocks	Chinese (CS) Chinese (CT) Korean (K) Thai (T)
Gonorrhoea	Many people do not notice symptoms. Symptoms may include : Discharge from the penis, vagina or anus. Stinging or burning when passing urine Sore, dry throat	Chinese (CS) Chinese (CT) Korean (K) Thai (T)
Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Hepatitis C	Many people do not notice symptoms. Symptoms may include: Nausea Loss of appetite Tiredness Fever Dark urine Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin) Right sided pain under the ribs
Herpes (Herpes Simplex Virus/ HSV)	Many people do not notice any symptoms as you can have this virus and not have herpes lesions or sores. Symptoms may include: Blisters or sores on and around the genitals and buttocks	Chinese (CS) Chinese (CT) Korean (K) Thai (T)
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing and results	Many people do not notice any symptoms. Symptoms may include: a flu-like illness swollen lymph nodes skin rash. Important information about early detection of HIV for gay men and other men who have sex with men: F+RST video LINK	Chinese (CS) Chinese (CT) Korean (K) Thai (T)
HIV Antibody Test- Indeterminate Result	Occasionally, a result is neither positive nor negative. This is what we call an indeterminate HIV result.
Lichen sclerosus	Skin inflammation involving the external genital skin. Symptoms may include: Genital itch Burning and soreness of the genital skin
Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)	A bacterial infection caused by certain strains of chlamydia. Symptoms may include: Anal pain and discharge. Pimple, blister or ulcer on the genitals. Inflammation of the groin lymph nodes.

Fact Sheets M to S

STI / Condition	Summary Information	Fact sheet in LOTE (PDF)
Molluscum Contagiosm	A skin infection caused by one of the pox viruses. Symptoms may include: Small pimples or lumps that are sometimes mistaken for warts	Chinese (CS) Chinese (CT) Korean (K) Thai (T)
Mycoplasma Genitalium	A bacterium that infects the urethra, cervix and anus. Many people do not notice symptoms. Symptoms may include: Men: Inflammation of the urethra (the urine passage) Stinging or burning when passing urine A discharge from the penis. Women: Pain in the pelvic area and pain during sexual intercourse. An abnormal vaginal discharge. A burning when passing urine. Abnormal vaginal bleeding.	Chinese (CS) Chinese (CT) Korean (K) Thai (T)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)	Inflammation or infection of the reproductive system in the pelvis. Many women do not have any signs or symptoms. Symptoms may include: Abnormal vaginal discharge Unusual bleeding Pelvic or lower abdominal pain Pain with sex Increased period pain
Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)	PEP is the administration of 2 or 3 antiretroviral HIV medications for 28 days, commenced within 72 hours of possible exposure to HIV infection. PEP has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection following needlestick injuries to healthcare workers by 81%. To be at risk of HIV you need to have had risky contact (e.g. penetrative sex, sharing a needle/syringe) with a person who has HIV.
PrEP	The goal of PrEP is to bio-medically prevent HIV infection if you are exposed to the virus. This is done by taking a pill every day, called Truvada®, that contains two HIV medications. These are the same medicines used to stop the virus from growing in people who are already infected.	Chinese (CS) Chinese (CT) Indonesian (I) Korean (K) Spanish (SP) Thai (T)
Pubic Lice (Crabs)	Small parasites that infest the pubic hair, armpits or chest hair. Symptoms may include Itching in the affected area
Scabies	An infestation of the skin by a tiny eight-legged mite. Symptoms may include: Itching in the affected area caused by the scabies mites
Sexual Health For Gay Men and Men who have Sex with Men	STI and screening information for gay and other men who have sex with men.
Sex workers Sexual Health	Sex workers are required by law to have 3 monthly screening for STIs.
Skin Biopsy	Genital skin biopsies are sometimes used to help a doctor work out what is causing symptoms or changes to the genital skin. This fact sheet explains what is involved during a biopsy.
Syphilis	A bacterial STI. Some people may not notice symptoms. It is important to treat syphilis to avoid complications. Symptoms may include: Ulcer-like sore or rash Fever Swelling of glands in groin and armpits Hair loss General tiredness	Chinese (CS) Chinese (CT) Korean (K) Thai (T)
Testicular Self Examination	Testicular self examination assists men to detect changes to their testes. Cancer of the testes is rare but can be effectively treated if detected early.
Thrush – Candida/ yeast infection	Caused by an overgrowth of yeasts within the vagina. Symptoms may include: Itch and discomfort around the opening of the vagina Burning sensation and pain with urinating and sex Thick, white, lumpy discharge Inflammation of the vulva	Chinese (CS) Chinese (CT) Korean (K) Thai (T)
Trichomoniasis	A genital infection caused by the organism Trichomonas vaginalis. Some people do not experience any symptoms. In women, symptoms may include frothy yellow-green vaginal discharge, unpleasant vaginal odour vaginal itching and burning
Urethritis	Inflammation of the urethra (the urine passage). Some people do not experience any symptoms. Symptoms may include: Discomfort in passing urine Discharge from the urethra
Urinary Tract Infections	Inflammation of the urethra (the urine passage). Some people do not experience any symptoms. Symptoms may include: the need to pass urine frequently, feeling the bladder is still full after urinating burning sensation during urination smelly urine and/ or blood in urine	Chinese (CS) Chinese (CT) Korean (K) Thai (T)
Vaccination for Meningococcal disease	Menactra is a vaccine (injection/shot) given to help prevent Meningococcal disease. Meningococcal bacteria are passed from person to person by regular, close, prolonged household and intimate contact.
Vulval Pain (Vulvodynia)	Pain at or around the vaginal opening occurring in the absence of an obvious ongoing cause.