Here are some previously asked questions from young people worried about STIs. If you think you may have been infected you need to get checked out. Find your nearest GUM/STI clinic under the services section of this site.
Question (posted August 2009)
I suffered from Cystitis a couple of weeks ago and took antibiotics until it went. Yesterday I noticed my vagina had a really horrible smell so I checked it out with a mirror, I have these small lumps which have only appeared recently but they don’t cause any pain when I touch them. My vagina is looking redder and a bit purple and it feels as if my Cystitis may be coming back as I keep going to the wee but only wee a little. I am sexually active but I know it’s not a STI as we always use condoms and we were both virgins before we had sex with each other? Do you know if I have an infection? And are these lumps normal? I also have a really sore throat but I’m not sure if that’s linked? They both came at the same time.
Answer
The antibiotics may have changed the PH of your vagina which could possibly have led to another vaginal infection. You really need to go and see your Doctor or a nurse or Doctor at a Genito Urinary medicine clinic. They are the experts at diagnosing and treating all infections in that area of the body whether they are an STI or not.
Question
I’m a 15 year old girl and I have not had sex but I keep getting discharge and this seems to be a symptom of a lot of STIs is it possible I have one?
Answer
It is not likely that your vaginal discharge is because of a STI. Most women have discharge to some degree during the monthly cycle. It is normal for this to be pale/opaque and mucous like, or clear, slippery and watery. If the discharge is white, thick and causes you to be itchy it may be Thrush, or if it is grey and smelly it may be something called Bacterial Vaginosis. Both of these are vaginal infections and not passed on through sex. If the discharge is troubling you, then you need to see a Doctor or nurse.
Question
Hi, my boyfriend has a sort of yellow discharge under his foreskin do you know what it might be?? xxxxx
Answer
As it is under the foreskin it is most likely to be a discharge called Smegma. This is not an infection, but caused by the secretions from the glands that are there. Boys should gently pull the foreskin down to wash around the area on a daily basis to prevent the build up of this discharge otherwise it may get a bit smelly and look unpleasant.
Question
I have strange sort of bumps on my penis. There not big, there are just quite a few tiny ones and it seems that hairs are starting to grow from them. But they are like at the connection point thingy from my body too penis, and I’m not sure what to do. I’ve researched STIs and it doesn't fit any and I haven’t had sex either. They are easy to see as well. I never seem to get round to seeing anyone about it and am very embarrassed.
Could I confidentially send email a photo as I have a good camera so will be easy too see?
Answer
If you have never had sex or any sort of sexual activity like oral sex then you will not have an infection. It sounds like these are just hair follicles which are a bit more prominent when the hairs are starting to grow. We have no capacity to receive any sort of photography through this site. If you are worried you must go and speak to a doctor or nurse. I know it is embarrassing, but the staff who work in the Genito Urinary Medicine clinic (STI clinic) do understand how people feel and will try to make any visit as easy as possible. You can find where your nearest clinic is by looking under the clinics/services section on this site.
Question
I am quite worried about my penis, the foreskin has white lumps on it and I don't want to tell anyone. What do I do?
Answer
These sound like they could be Coronal papillae which look like small white lumps around the head of the penis. They are NORMAL and most men will have them to a greater or lesser degree. They often seem more noticeable during the teenage years. They are not an infection, please don't try to squeeze or rub them away. If the white lumps are loose and under the foreskin then it could be a build up of smegma which is produced from the glands around the head of the penis. This can and should be washed away when you shower. Make sure you gently retract the foreskin to wash around it once a day. If you are sexually active and are concerned about infection then you must have a check up at a Genito Urinary Medicine clinic (GUM clinic).
Question
I’m 15, I’m a boy, I have small smooth whitish lumps on my penis, you can only see them when the for skin is pulled back and there is some small lumps on the bell end that are smooth and there is one on the bell end which is on it on and whitish and small. I have no symptoms of any STIs except itchy balls and sometimes a bit of wee comes out of my penis after I finished peeing. Is this Coronal Papillae?
Answer
What you are describing sounds exactly like Coronal Papillae. Feeling a bit irritated and itchy down there is probably just normal, especially if your testicles are close to your body and get warm, or your clothes and underwear contain a lot of manmade fibres, or there is soap/shower gel left after washing which hasn't been rinsed off properly. If you think there may be a bigger problem such as Pubic lice (Crabs) then you need to be seen at a clinic.
Question
Me and my girlfriend want to have anal but I have aids what should I do?
Answer
If you know you are HIV positive and have a diagnosis of AIDS, then I hope you have been able to talk to your girlfriend about this. Anal sex is the most risky sexual practice to take part in when it comes to transmitting a sexually transmitted infection or a blood borne virus. It is essential to use a condom every time and lots of lubrication. You need to use a lube that will not damage the condom and use a normal or extra strong condom rather than a very fine one. If the condom breaks or tears your girlfriend should go immediately to a Genito Urinary Medicine clinic or an A & E department to discuss taking anti-viral medication.
Question
I am 18, I have never had sex or been intimate with anyone but I have developed a cluster of blisters on my penis that fit the description of herpes. Can you get herpes without having had sex?
Answer
As you have never had sex with anyone the spots that you describe may be 'coronal papillae', these are spots in rows around the base of the gland and seen when the foreskin is pulled back. They cause no pain or irritation and are normal. However if you are worried about any spots, ulcers, lumps on the penis or scrotum both inside and outside you need to go to the doctor to be checked out. If you have had close sexual contact with someone and you think you may have caught a sexually transmitted infection, go to the GUM Clinic.
Finally, herpes, especially the first attack really hurts.
Question
I am a virgin and I had oral sex with someone who is not a virgin. We did use condoms. A week after I had a white discharge and still do. I thought it was thrush but had no itchiness. I normally have a gooey discharge before my periods. What is wrong? I need advice.
Answer
Good that you used condoms for oral sex as you can get a sexually transmitted infection (STI) like Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea in your throat. If you have not had close genital contact you are highly unlikely to have a discharge caused by an STI.
Question
Hi. I recently went to the doctors for a smear test as I was experiencing heavier discharge. The tests came back and showed that I had chylamidia. I had not had sex (which was unprotected) for four months previous before going to the doctors. Will this mean that I am at a very high risk of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) or something worse? I am now scared what will happen to me and I am waiting for my appointment from the hospital. I am also unsure what will happen to me at the hospital. Please could you inform me of the procedure when I attend the GUM clinic. Thank you.
Answer
The most important thing now is that you are going to get this sorted out. People who work in GUM clinics are generally very kind and considerate, they realise that they have to be nice to people or they may not return!! There are special laws that ensure the service is totally confidential, hence you need not give your real name and no one will know you have attended the clinic unless YOU tell them. Once you have registered, you will wait and be seen by a doctor or nurse who will take a full history from you, you will be examined and may have some blood taken. There is a reason for everything they do, so just ask about anything that is worrying you or you are unsure of. Those who work in GUM clinics are experts in the field, so you are definitely doing the right thing by going there. After this experience, I am sure you realise the importance of using condoms every time you have sex.
Question
Hi, I have had thrush for over a year and find it impossible to get rid of. It really gets me down and I have just ordered medication off the internet to get rid of it which may not work, what can I do to rid it for good? Thanks.
Answer
You are not alone with this problem. The first thing to do is to make sure that it is thrush you have. There are infections that are similar and not necessarily sexually transmitted. A good way of doing this is to go to a GUM clinic and get tested as they are the experts in this area. You could also go to your GP and tell him/her what you have said above and ask for a test.
Question
Me and my boyfriend were together for 3 years and only used a condom for the first few months. We never used them afterwards as neither liked them. Since we have split up I have been wondering about sexually transmitted infections and want to be checked but the nurse said that I have to go to a clinic, which is too far to get to and I don't want anyone to know about the visit. Is there anything else I can do?
Answer
It is really hard when you break up with your boyfriend especially after such a long time. You are not alone with your worry about sexually transmitted infections, it is something that we get loads of letters about. Unfortunately the reality is that as you did not use condoms, if either of you have ever had sex with anyone else at all there is a risk. GUM clinics specialise in this area of care, they are used to people going for check-ups and have special legal rules to ensure confidentiality. Most of the people who work there are really understanding and will treat you with respect.
Question
I have a pain when I pee, there is no blood but sometimes a whitish liquid.
Answer
Pain when you pee could be caused by a urine infection such as cystitis, in which case you will need to visit your doctor or clinic, or soreness around the genital area, which could be caused by thrush. If you have had sex there is a risk of sexually transmitted infections so you would need to be checked out at a GUM clinic - you can find the nearest one on this website. Condoms are the only form of contraception that offer protection against sexually transmitted infections and these are free at the clinics on this site. Good Luck.
Question
My boyfriend recently bit his lip and has three little ulcers on the inside of his lip. He hasn't gone down on me recently but if he did could this affect me in any way?
Answer
The first question I would like to ask is why did he bite his lip?
Some say that those who bit their lips have something to say, but decide not to, but then he could have had hit his mouth when playing sport. Is your concern that he might have an infection? This is a sensible concern: cold sores can be passed from the mouth to the genital area. Look up herpes on this website. Don't forget it is always important to talk to each other, and don't do anything you don't want to.
Question (posted July 2009)
Hi, my and my girlfriend have got some sex toys can you still get STI from them? Thank you
Answer
If a sex toy is only used with you and your partner and neither of you have an STI then there will not be any infection to spread. However, if one person has an infection or the toy is used with other people as well, then there is a risk of some infections being spread, thought not all because a lot only live in the body but some virus's can live outside the body for a little while. Please make sure it is cleaned after use.
