Are you thinking about taking PrEP and would like to know more? PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It is a prescription medication which is a combination of two different HIV drugs taken by HIV negative people to prevent them from becoming infected with HIV. When used correctly PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV infection.

WHAT IS VULVAR LICHEN SCLEROSUS? Vulvar lichen sclerosus is a common long-term inflammatory skin condition that affects the genitals. Lichen sclerosus can ccur anywhere on the body, but most often affects the vulva. It can occur at any age but usually starts around menopause and affects around 1 in 20 women who have gone through menopause. It can occasionally affect men and children. If lichen sclerosus is left untreated for a long time, there can be an increased risk of skin cancer in the vulva. Lichen sclerosus does not affect the vagina which is different tissue to the vulva. WHAT CAUSES...

WHAT IS HERPES?  Herpes is a skin condition caused by a very common virus called the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV: HSV 1 and HSV 2. HSV 1 causes almost all oral herpes (cold sores) and about half of genital herpes. Infection with HSV 1 tends to be milder and doesn’t usually require treatment. HSV 2 causes about half of genital herpes. It rarely causes oral herpes. Infection with HSV 2 is more likely to have recurrences and to need treatment but can also be quite mild. Both HSV types can have no symptoms and many people who have HSV do not know that they have it. HOW...

WHAT IS THE VULVA? The vulva is the part of your genitals that you can see. The vulva includes the mons pubis (the mound above the rest of the vulva), the inner and outer labia (lips), the clitoris, the opening of tube leading to the bladder (the urethra), and the opening to the vagina. The vagina is the tube that leads from the outside (the vulva) to the uterus (womb). The vagina is not part of the vulva. TAKING CARE OF THE SKIN OF YOUR VULVA The skin of the vulva is delicate and taking care of it is an important part of your health care. There are a few key factors to consider with vulva...

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, or GSM is a term used to describe the changes that can occur in the vulva, vagina, urethra, and bladder when you reach menopause. These changes are common. Up to 80% of people have GSM following menopause, and more than 50% experience symptoms. Symptoms of GSM can occur following natural menopause or surgical menopause. Unlike other symptoms of menopause such as hot flushes and night sweats, which can improve over time, symptoms of GSM usually persist and may possibly worsen. GSM can cause significant discomfort and distress, and it is important that it...

WHAT IS A COPPER IUD? An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small plastic device that is inserted into the uterus (womb) and is used to prevent pregnancy. IUDs are a highly effective long-acting reversible contraceptive. There are two different types of IUDs- hormonal and copper. The copper IUD is an IUD that has copper wrapped around its stem and arms. It does not contain any hormones. HOW DOES IT WORK? The copper IUD works mainly by preventing fertilisation. It does this by being toxic to the egg and sperm and by interfering with sperm movement. It also prevents the implantation of a fertilised...

WHAT ARE HORMONE RELEASING IUDS? Hormone releasing intrauterine devices (IUDs) are small plastic devices which are inserted into the uterus (womb) and are used to prevent pregnancy. They contain a hormone called levonorgestrel in the stem. Levonorgestrel is a type of progestogen. A very small amount of this hormone is released continuously over 5 years. There are two types of hormone releasing IUDs: the Mirena® and the Kyleena®. The Kyleena® is slightly smaller and releases a lower dose of hormone than the Mirena®.

WHAT IS THE DIAPHRAGM? The diaphragm is a barrier method of contraception. It is a dome of soft silicone with a flexible rim that is placed inside the vagina to cover the cervix (the lower part of the uterus or womb). The diaphragm forms a barrier which prevents sperm from getting into the uterus. It is inserted before intercourse and left in place for a minimum of 6 hours after intercourse. It takes 6 hours for all sperm to die in the acid environment of the vagina. The Caya® diaphragm, which is a single size diaphragm, is the only one available in Australia. HOW DO I USE THE DIAPHRAGM? You...

WHAT IS THE CERVICAL SCREENING TEST? The Cervical Screening Test (CST) aims to prevent cancer of the cervix (also called cervical cancer). Cervical cancer is preventable with regular cervical screening because pre-cancerous changes can be found and easily treated, so cancer does not develop. Most people who do develop cervical cancer have either never had cervical screening or have had screening less often then recommended. Cervical screening saves lives! WHAT IS THE CERVIX AND WHERE IS IT? The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) and is located at the top of the vagina. [ID:...

WHAT IS THE COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE PILL? The combined oral contraceptive pill, usually simply called ‘the pill’, is a contraceptive pill taken by mouth which contains two hormones, oestrogen and a progestogen. HOW DOES IT WORK? The pill works by preventing ovulation, which means it stops the ovaries from releasing an egg each month, which in turn means that fertilization cannot occur and a pregnancy cannot begin. HOW EFFECTIVE IS IT? The pill is approximately 93% effective.  HOW IS IT TAKEN? The pill is taken by mouth every day. Most pill types come in a box of three to four sachets...

WHAT IS SYPHILIS?  Syphilis is a sexually transmissible infection caused by a bacteria called Treponema pallidum. It is not as common in Australia as it is in some other countries, however it is a serious infection and cases are on the rise.    Syphilis can be easily treated with antibiotics, but without treatment it can cause serious health problems. It has three stages: Early infectious syphilis, late latent syphilis, and tertiary or late syphilis.  HOW DO YOU CATCH SYPHILIS? Syphilis is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact.  You can catch it by having oral, vaginal, or anal sex with...

WHAT ARE GENITAL WARTS Genital warts are growths on the surface of the skin or mucous membrane which occur in the genital area.  WHAT CAUSES GENITAL WARTS? Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes genital warts. HPV is the name given to a group of viruses which are very common in humans. HPV is so common that almost all sexually active people will be infected with it at some point in their lives. There are over 100 types of HPV that can infect humans, and around 40 types can infect the genital area.  Some HPV types cause genital warts while other HPV types cause warts on the hands or feet, or other...