A sexual health check-up usually involves a doctor or nurse asking you questions about your body, the kind of sex you have and what kind of safe sex practices you use to determine what STI tests you may need. Most STI tests involve a simple blood test and urine sample and sometimes a genital or throat swab. Depending on the type of sex you're having, your doctor may also want to discuss contraception options with you.
Consider having a sexual health check-up if you:
You should have regular sexual health check-ups if you:
If tests are done, you need to return to your doctor for follow up to find out the results of the test. Sometimes you can get the results by phoning but for some STIs, such as HIV, your doctor will ask you to attend in person.
If you have an STI, your doctor will talk to you about treatment options. Many STIs can be easily treated and cured. However, some do require ongoing monitoring and management. See STI testing and treatment.
The law requires that consultations with your doctor or any health professional are confidential, though there are situations where they may have to report information if they have serious concerns about you or someone else's safety. For example, they may need to break confidentiality if someone is at risk of seriously harming themselves or somebody else, or if they suspect a young person is being subjected to physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
If you are unsure what a doctor will have to report, then you need to ask them what they must report and who they will have to report to. If it is worrying, you it is a good idea to ask at the beginning of the consultation.
When you turn 16 years old you have the same right to confidentiality as an adult. More information on the law and people under 18 is available at Youth Law Australia.
The Australian Government provides health care for its citizens through the Medicare program which covers all or part of the costs associated with visiting your doctor.
The first step is to obtain a Medicare card application form. Applications can be made in person at a Medicare office, by calling Medicare on 132 011 or visiting Services Australia.
When you enrol, you will need to show proof that you are eligible (e.g. a birth certificate or passport). Young people over the age of 15 are eligible to be enrolled on their own Medicare card. Once you have been approved, your Medicare card will then be sent to you in the mail, or you can arrange to pick it up from a Medicare office.
The cost of seeing a doctor can vary.
'Bulk billing' means that the doctor will directly bill Medicare for the cost of the consultation. All you need to do is present your Medicare card.
'Direct billing' is where the doctor charges you the consultation fee. With the receipt your doctor provides, you are then able to claim a part of the fee back from Medicare (the amount you get back will depend on the amount the doctor charged you). To make a claim you need to set up an account with MyGov – find more information on Medicare claims.
Some doctors who direct bill will offer bulk billing to students, pensioners and health care card holders. Check with your doctor's surgery when you make an appointment.
