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FAQ'S/Frequently Asked Questions… at Thunder Bay Health Unit's Sexual Health Clinics |
1. When are you open?
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2. Do I have to have a Pap test to get pills?
No, but a Pap test is highly recommended for all women who have had sexual intercourse. Pap tests can be done with your family doctor or at either sexual health clinic. Pap testing can be discussed with the clinic nurse.
3. What is a STI test?
There are many different types of tests that can be done depending on what type of symptoms a person is having, if they have had a sex partner who lives in another country, or if they have shared needle drugs.
All STD's are caused by certain types of germs. Depending on the disease, the germs can be found in the blood, on the skin or in the reproductive area. This means that some STD tests are blood tests (Syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis), tests from the skin (Herpes), or swabs from the reproductive area (Chlamydia and Gonorrhea). Chlamydia & Gonorrhea are tested in both males & females using a simple urine test. If females have symptoms (eg. Unusual discharge) they can have swabs taken from the cervix and/or vagina. A test for gonorrhea can also be taken from the mouth (oral sex) or from the anus (anal intercourse). A new Chlamydia test for men is a urine test.
It is very important to note that a Pap test is NOT a STD test. At the sexual health clinic when a yearly Pap test is done, routine testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and other cervical/vaginal infections are included.
4. Do you do abortions here?
There are no abortions done at the health unit. The services that are provided include pregnancy testing, options counselling and referral. The staff of the health unit clinic supports whatever decision a person makes.
5. Will anyone find out that I've been here?
The Sexual Health clinic is confidential. We do require a person's name, address, and date of birth for medical-legal reasons however; the information is not shared with a client's family doctor, school, other clinics, parent/guardian. A signed consent is necessary if a client wishes information such as test results to be given to another person such as a family doctor. Tests are sent to the lab with a code number.
6. How much does it cost?
The first package of birth control pills is free for first time users of birth control.
The rest are $6.00/pack except for Diane 35 which is $12.00/pack and the Evra patch which is $12.00/pack of 3 patches.
Depo-Provera™ injections are $25.00
7. Is it dangerous to smoke when you are on pills?
Tobacco smoke increases the risk of heart disease and stroke in people of all ages.
The use of estrogen in birth control pills may also cause a very slight increase in blood clots/stroke.
There is a slightly higher chance of heart disease and stroke to women who smoke and are on birth control pills. The biggest concern is for women over the age of 35.
8. Can I get pregnant if I have sex right after my period?
Yes, it is possible. Pregnancy occurs when a sperm fertilizes an egg. An egg is released from the ovary (ovulation) once per month. The time an egg is released often changes from month to month. Once an egg is released, it survives in the female body for 24-48 hours. Sperm can survive in a woman's body for 3-5 days even up to 7days after intercourse. Month to month changes and the length of time an egg and sperm survive makes it difficult to determine the 'safe time' of the month.
9. The condom broke yesterday. Can I have a pregnancy test?
No, it is too early for a pregnancy test. At the Sexual Health Clinic, we use urine pregnancy tests that are not accurate until about 2 days after a missed period.
However, you may be a candidate for emergency contraceptive pills (ECP). These pills can be given within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, condom breakage or sexual assault. The sooner they are given the more chance of reducing the chance of a pregnancy. Emergency contraceptives used to be called "morning after pills". They are free at the health unit clinics when prescribed by a clinic doctor. They are also available at hospital emergency departments for a fee.
10.Can I get any sexually transmitted diseases from oral sex?
Even though oral sex is considered less risky than anal or vaginal sex, there is still some risk. Most STD's have some risk of being passed by oral sex. Condoms or dental dams (used when performing oral sex on a female) are recommended.