How do Men Get Tested for STIs?

Sexual health is an essential aspect of overall well-being, and understanding how to get tested for STIs is a key part of maintaining it.

It’s important to understand that “STI,” or sexually transmitted infection, is the current term replacing “STD,” which stands for sexually transmitted disease. This change reflects the fact that many infections do not progress to disease, making “STD” less accurate.

But no matter what you call it, the definition is the same: it’s an infection that’s passed from person to person through sexual activity. STIs occur if you have vaginal, oral, anal sex or intimate skin-to-skin contact with someone.

Many people won’t develop any symptoms, so they won’t know when they’ve contracted an STI — that’s what makes regular STI testing so important. It can help keep you and your sexual partners safe and healthy.

In this blog, we cover everything you need to know about how men can get tested for STIs.

The STIs men can get

Men can get the same STIs that women can get, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis A and B, herpes, HPV, and syphilis. Understanding the different types of infections is the first step in protecting yourself and your partners.

Here’s an overview of STIs: 

• Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs in Canada and is transmitted through any type of sex (anal, oral, or vaginal sex) with a person who already has the infection. 
• Gonorrhea is also transmitted during any type of sexual activity with an infected person. It can affect the throat, urethra, or anus. In men, symptomatic gonorrhea is more common than symptomatic chlamydia.  
• Hepatitis A is highly contagious but often goes away on its own. It can be transmitted through contaminated water or food, as well as through sexual contact with an infected person.
• Hepatitis B can be contracted by contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person. It can be particularly dangerous because it can cause liver damage.
• Herpes is transmitted through contact with the mouth or genitals of an infected person and causes painful blisters. 
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common STIs in Canada. In fact, most people will develop one strain of the virus at some point in their lifetime. It’s transmitted through any type of sex; certain strains can cause genital warts and, in men, cancers of the throat, penis and anus.
• Syphilis can be transmitted through any type of sexual activity with an infected person. It’s an old disease that was on its way to being abolished, but rates in Canada have skyrocketed in the past few years. It’s one of the most serious  STIs for men because it can cause serious and life-threatening problems. 

STI symptoms in men 

While symptoms aren’t always present when you contract an STI, possible symptoms in men with an STI include:

Chlamydia

• Pain when urinating
• Discharge from the penis
• Swollen testicles
• Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding

Gonorrhea

• Pain when urinating
• Discharge from the penis
• With anal gonorrhea: rectal pain, discharge, and bleeding
• Swollen or painful testicles
• With oral gonorrhea and conjunctivitis: Painful joints, sore throat, and red eyes
• Rash

Hepatitis A

• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Feeling lethargic
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain 
• Dark-coloured urine 
• Pale yellow or pale grey stool
• Dark brown urine
• Itchy skin, possibly including hives
• Jaundice of the eyes

Hepatitis B 

• Feeling lethargic
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Low-grade fever
• Muscle and joint aches
• Dark-coloured urine 
• Pale yellow or pale grey stool
• Dark brown urine
• Itchy skin, possibly including hives
• Jaundice of the eyes

Herpes

• Tingling, itching, or burning of the skin followed by blisters (commonly on the penis, testicles, anus, butt, thighs, lips, tongue, or gums)
• Aching muscles on the lower half of the body
• Swollen or tender lymph nodes in the groin
  

HPV

• Warts (flat and flesh-colored or a cluster of tiny bumps) in the mouth or throat

Syphilis

Each phase (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary) of syphilis has different symptoms.

• Primary: a small, firm, and painless sore (on the penis, anus, or lips), and swollen lymph nodes near it
• Secondary: a non-itchy skin rash (typically on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet), sore throat, headache, tiredness, and swollen lymph nodes
• Latent: no symptoms
• Tertiary: damage to the heart, nervous system, or other parts of the body

How healthcare providers test for STIs in men

Healthcare providers will pick appropriate tests based on your unique circumstances. To diagnose an STI, your healthcare provider will start by asking you about your symptoms and sexual history.

Depending on that information, your healthcare provider may perform a physical exam to look for signs of an infection (like a rash or warts) and/or a lab test such as:

• A blood test (can test for HIV and later stages of syphilis)
• A urine sample (can test for chlamydia and gonorrhea)
• A swab sample (to test open genital sores)

If you don’t have any symptoms, you can still get screened for an STI. This is particularly useful when your risk for an STI has changed, such as when you have a new sexual partner.

Who needs STI testing and screening?

It’s important to know when testing is recommended and who should be prioritized. Regular testing can help identify infections early, even when no symptoms are present, reducing the risk of complications and transmission. You should have an STI test or get screening if:

• You’re sexually active
• You had sex without a condom 
• You or your partner have STI symptoms
• Your partner has or had an STI 
• You or your partner have been sexually active with other people
• You or your partner have shared needles for drugs, tattooing, or piercing

Where you can get STI testing and screening in Canada

To get tested or screened (Reminder: “screened” is the term used when you don’t have any symptoms) for an STI, you can visit your healthcare provider, a sexual health clinic, a local public health unit, or a walk-in clinic.

How men can prevent an STI

The best way to prevent an STI is abstinence. The second best way is using a latex condom — it’s the only birth control method that can also protect against most STIs. If you or your partner have a latex allergy, opt for polyurethane condoms. Natural/lambskin condoms are not effective at preventing the spread of STIs because they have tiny holes that can allow a virus to spread.

Remember that latex or polyurethane condoms cannot completely protect you or your partner from contracting an STI, which is particularly the case for HPV since it can infect areas that aren’t covered by a condom.

There is, however, another way to protect against HPV in Canada — with a vaccine. The 9vHPV vaccine (also known as Gardasil-9) is recommended for everyone between the ages of nine and 26 and can be given to those 27 and older who are at risk of exposure to HPV. Gardasil-9 protects against nine types of HPV that can cause anal cancer, head and neck cancers (like throat and back of mouth) and genital warts in men. It also prevents women from getting cervical cancer. 

If you have any questions about STIs and/or symptoms but you don’t know where to start, speak to a primary care provider. If you’re among the millions of Canadians without a primary care provider, remember that you can always try Maple. A membership on Maple allows you to speak with a primary care provider, like a doctor or nurse practitioner, 24/7/365 over secure text, audio, or video call in minutes. Primary care providers on Maple can talk to you about any symptoms you may have, offer advice on having safe sex or talking to a partner about STI testing, and help you find a place to go for testing.

Taking proactive steps in your sexual health journey not only protects you but also promotes the well-being of your partners. Stay informed, prioritize regular testing, and remember that your health is in your hands; with the right resources, you can navigate this aspect of your life with confidence and peace of mind.

Virtual care is not meant for medical emergencies. If you are experiencing an emergency like chest pain or difficulty breathing, for example, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.