Sydney Sexual Health Centre

🎙️ Listen to this short SBS Australia podcast to hear more about s*xuality education in Australian Schools.

Why is s*x and s*xuality education taught in Australian schools? S*x ed in schools is controversial, but experts say it's vital for young people to learn about their bodies, identities, and healthy relationships. Why are some parents concerned?

😀There is a new Mpox clinic available. Remember to complete your 2 vaccinations if you haven't already. For more information call the S*xual Health Info Link (SHIL) on 1800 451 624.

Mpox is on the rise. Commencing on Monday 9 September, the mpox vaccine will also be available at a pop-up clinic:

RPA HealthOne Green Square
944 Bourke St, Zetland NSW 2017

Opening hours:
9am-1pm - Monday, Wednesday and Friday
1pm-5pm - Tuesday and Thursday

The vaccination is free and a Medicare card is not required.

Call S*xual Health Information Link on 1800 451 624 (between 9am and 5:30pm Monday - Friday) to make an appointment. Walk-ins welcome.

Please note: if you are unwell or a direct contact of mpox, do not attend this clinic for vaccination, instead contact the S*xual Health Clinic near you.

For more info on mpox, visit:
➡ health.nsw.gov.au/mpox

Guardian Australia reports on ‘fertility tourism’.

Frozen in Time: the motherhood dilemma for single women in China Fertility tourism is booming for single Chinese women with hopes of future motherhood. China’s birth rate is at a record low, yet unmarried women are not legally allowed to freeze their eggs there. We meet Lei and Abu, as they travel to the US for the procedure, battling self doubt and scepticism ...

Today is International Youth Day.

🎙️ Listen to this episode of the SSHC podcast released for this day last year. It shares some tips on how to make services youth friendly.

EP 41 - Youth Friendliness In this podcast episode, join us as SESLHD's Stanya Sharota and youth peer educator Anna Danyushevsky share crucial tips on creating youth-friendly services. Discover how to discuss sensitive topics l

FAQ Friday: What Are My Other Testing Options?

Any GP in NSW can conduct a s*xual health test.

If you’d like to test close to home and have no symptoms you can use MyCheck. If you’d like to access a peer-led service for gay and bis*xual men, book in to aTEST.

Call the s*xual health info link (SHIL) on 1800 451 624 for the most convenient option for you.

Or check out this interactive map to find your nearest s*xual health service.

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/s*xualhealth/pages/s*xual-health-clinics.aspx

“Dr Power says post-care intimacy, affection, and communication supports relationship satisfaction and wellbeing.”

ABC News explores the importance of s*xual aftercare.

Why s*xual 'aftercare' is so important While we may not always have time for a relaxed wind-down with our s*xual partner or partners post-s*x, "aftercare" can be as simple as asking someone how they are feeling.

🤔 Ever noticed a lack of information about the fo****in in s*xual health resources?

This article attempts of tackle the ‘fo****in gap’ in condom education.

Closing the Fo****in Gap in Condom Education At ONE® Condoms education is at the heart of what we do. It has become impossible to deny what we call the ‘Fo****in Gap’ in modern s*xual health and condom education. Here's what ONE Condoms is doing about it!

Tomorrow's Journal Club Session in partnership with ASHM will be on Psychosocial Aspects of S*xual Health.

If you wish to register, email [email protected] to be added to the 2024 update list.

Or view previous sessions here:
https://ow.ly/UvBe50T0N59

Guardian Australia discusses some promising evidence for injectable PrEP.

Doctor behind trial of HIV prevention drug recounts breakthrough moment Prof Linda-Gail Bekker receives ovation at Aids summit after presenting trial results of ‘miracle’ drug lenacapavir

Happy Wear It Purple Day from all of us here at SSHC!

FAQ FRIDAY: What Are Symptoms Of An STI Or HIV?

We see anybody who has symptoms of HIV or an STI.

Common symptoms of an STI include itching of ge***als/anus or unusual discharge, rashes, or sores in the ge***al area.

Symptoms of HIV may include a rash over the body, fever, and fatigue. However, these symptoms can be different for each person, or may be due to illnesses other than HIV.

We will make an assessment of your symptoms when you call us and advise you on the best thing to do next. Or you can call the S*xual Health Infolink (SHIL) on 1800 451 624 to discuss.

“Australians are being urged to get regular tests for s*xually transmitted infections (STIs) after a significant rise in cases across the country, including an almost 20% increase in New South Wales gonorrhoea cases between 2022 and 2023.”

STIs surge across Australia while resistance to antibiotic treatments ‘increasing rapidly’ Rise in gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV rates partially due to reduced use of condoms across range of demographics, pathologists say

ABC Australia discusses how s*x toys may benefit people with a disability and the benefits of s*xual pleasure.

S*x technology 'pleasure products' provide accessibility for people with disabilities Talking about s*x isn't the taboo it once was, and people with disabilities say pleasure — and technology that can help them achieve it — is an access issue.

Check out ACON's new campaign to help reduce alcohol consumption among LGBTQ+ people.

CAN WE | A Conversation On Cancer For LGBTQ+ Communities Here, you can find cancer screening and prevention information for LGBTQ+ communities and take the cancer risk quiz.

Today we say farewell to Heng Lu after 18 years with Sydney S*xual Health Centre.

Heng has developed the much-loved SHOE system here at SSHC. Other achievements include the Xpress testing module, atest, results delivery system, Rezzie, MyCheck, outreach testing, the Monkeypox vaccination hub, the DBS system, supporting SHIL, contributions to research and much much more within the centre and statewide projects.

You will be greatly missed, all the best with your new role in WSLHD!

FAQ FRIDAY: Do I Need My Own Medicare Card?

No, you do not need a Medicare card to come and see us at our main clinic at Martin Place.

If you would like your own Medicare card to access health services you can get your own when you turn 15 years of age.

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/medicare-card

If you do have one then please bring it with you as it helps to reduce the costs for our service.

Tomorrow's Journal Club Session in partnership with ASHM will be on Hepatitis.

If you wish to register, email [email protected] to be added to the 2024 update list.

Or view previous sessions here:

https://ow.ly/UvBe50T0N59

💔 Could the broken heart emoji have originated from… syphilis?

ABC News uncovers the origins of its use as a symbol.

We all know the emoji, but did you know it once symbolised syphilis? The history of the broken heart The heartbreak emoji is a near-universal symbol, but it hasn't always been that way. So how else was heartbreak depicted in art, and where did our modern version come from?

FAQ FRIDAY: What If I’m Embarrassed To Ask For A Test?

It’s totally normal to feel embarrassed, but it’s quick, easy, and free to have a test at Sydney S*xual Health Centre. We see thousands of people every year, so you’re not the only one. Our staff are very experienced at dealing with all sorts of s*xual health concerns.

👀 Check out this recent campaign from fighting stigma towards trans and gender diverse people.

The Unsaid Says A Lot 3 in 4 trans and gender diverse people have been treated unfairly because of their gender identity. Each silent gesture, every unspoken word, carries weight....

We hope you enjoy the rotating art exhibits in the SSHC waiting room.

The current exhibition features

Follow along on the project’s Instagram page

The Guardian explores postwar gay life in England.

Some Men in London: Q***r Life, 1945-1959 review – when being gay meant going underground These beautifully written letters, diary entries and extracts from novels, skilfully edited by Peter Parker, add up to an essential study of postwar gay life

Today is International Youth Day.

Listen to a previous episode of the SSHC podcast where we discuss how to make your service youth friendly.

EP 41 - Youth Friendliness In this podcast episode, join us as SESLHD's Stanya Sharota and youth peer educator Anna Danyushevsky share crucial tips on creating youth-friendly services. Discover how to discuss sensitive topics l

ABC News explores HIV stigma in the healthcare profession in the 80s and 90s.

In 1985, a newspaper outed Barry's HIV status in his regional town. It was the start of years of abuse Barry McCluskey was the first known Australian nurse to contract HIV, but he never let his illness define him.

✈️ Tickets, money, passport.

Interactive Map Lets You Compare P***s Sizes With The World In case you are curious.

The Guardian discusses the s*xual health supplies in the Paris Olympic Village.

20,000 female condoms, 200,000 male condoms, 10,000 dental dams: will Paris 2024 be the s*xiest Olympics ever? It’s not the first time athletes and officials have been showered with contraceptives, writes Arwa Mahdawi. But is there any logic to the options on offer?

FAQ FRIDAY: ❔❔❔ What Questions Will I Get Asked?

We will ask some questions about your s*xual practices to establish what tests we need to do.

These might include the gender of your s*xual partners, types of s*x you have engaged in, symptoms you have, or any symptoms your partners have told you about.

If you are 18 years of age or younger, we will ask a series of questions about your home life, alcohol or other drug use, mental health, as well as relationships and s*xual health. This is so we can assess your wellbeing and make sure you are receiving the best care. This information is confidential unless we have safety concerns.

For more information about confidentiality in healthcare:https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/kidsfamilies/youth/Factsheets/youth-friendly-confidentiality.pdf