Sexual Health

Sexual Function and Wellbeing

Changes in libido, arousal or sexual comfort can occur for many reasons — physical, psychological or situational. Factors such as stress, illness, medications, hormonal changes, menopause, and relationship dynamics may all play a role.

At Her Medical, our doctors take a holistic and confidential approach to sexual health concerns. Consultations focus on identifying possible causes and developing an individualised care plan. This may include discussion of lifestyle strategies, medical review of current medications, or consideration of hormonal balance and emotional wellbeing.

When appropriate, your GP can coordinate referrals to allied health or specialist providers to ensure comprehensive support.

Her Medical provides regulated health services in accordance with AHPRA and TGA regulations. This information is general in nature and not intended to replace personal medical advice.

A person is at risk of an STI whether it’s the first time of engaging in unprotected sex or the 100th time.

Many STIs have no symptoms and are unaware of passing on an infection, therefore, screening is a good idea if you are sexually active. However, if any symptoms are present, these should be checked by a GP as soon as possible, and are usually easily treated.

Symptoms associated with STIs include:
• A sore, wart, lump, rash or blister on the genitals
• Pain during sex
• Pain passing urine
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Painful, irregular periods and/or bleeding between periods or after sex.

STIs include the following:

• Chlamydia
• Syphilis
• Gonorrhoea
• Genital Herpes
• Genital Warts
• HIV and AIDS
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Trichomoniasis

Vulval itch is common and frequently caused by thrush, dermatitis, psoriasis and lichen sclerosis.

There are both physical and chemical irritants that can lead to inflammation of the vulval skin.

Treatment consists of lifestyle and skincare modifications as well as topical preparations which help to decrease inflammation and soothe the skin.

Lichen Sclerosis is another less common cause which may be linked to autoimmune disease.

It usually presents with itching, burning and soreness. In longstanding diseases, the anatomy of the vulva can change including shrinking and scarring of the genitals.

12 month reviews are recommended to prevent the small risk of developing vulval skin cancer.

A sexual health screen can check for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas vaginalis, mycoplasma genitalium, syphilis, HIV, and Hepatitis A, B and C. These conditions can all be present without having symptoms making sexual health screening essential.

How often and when a person needs a check-up depends on lifestyle and sexual activity. At a minimum, it is recommended annual sexual health checks for sexually active people and people with multiple sexual partners.

It is recommended for women who are sexually active to have a cervical screening test every 5 years between the age of 25 and 74.