A service provided by the BC Centre for Disease Control
In the years since SmartSexResource launched, we have developed a library of questions asked by you, and answered by our expert sexual health nurses.
Our answered questions library cover a broad range of sexual health topics and common questions we hear at our clinics.
Hi
In the Vancouver area we have two clinics that do not require health insurance. At these two clinics you are able to use a made up name and date of birth.
Vancouver – Provincial STI Clinic – BC Centre for Disease Control
Vancouver – Bute Street Clinic
Have a look at our “Know your chances” web page, it provides information on your chances of getting or passing an STI depending on how you are having sex. It will give you an idea of what tests to request. Normally the health professional will ask you a few questions about your sexual history so they know what tests to offer.
Also have a look at our “STIs at a glance” chart, it provides information on what symptoms to look for and how long you need to wait before getting tested (window period).
Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.
Health Nurse
For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.
Yes! All the STI clinics in BC can give you free treatment for gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis. The medications are provided by the BC Centre for Disease Control. You can use our clinic finder to find the one in Vancouver nearest to you.
Leave us a comment below to us know if that answers your question.
Health Nurse
For other readers, leave us a comment below to let us know if this is helpful.
Hi there,
Yes, you can get birth control without your parents knowing. Health care professionals have to respect your right to confidentiality, and cannot contact your parents without your permission. (The only exception is if your healthcare provider thinks you are at risk of harm or abuse, they need to report it to the proper authorities.)
Many youth clinics will do walk-in visits and start you on birth control at that time. You can use our clinic finder to see what is offered at the clinics near you – click on “clinic details” to see if they offer birth control and if you need an appointment.
Please leave a comment below to let us know if that answers your questions or if you need more information,
Health Nurse
For other readers, leave a comment below to let us know if this is helpful.
Hi
It sounds like this is really playing on your mind. Like you have said STI can be stressful since most of the time they show no symptoms so the only way to know is by going for an STI test.
Common STI like chlamydia may not show symptoms, but can be treated with antibiotics. Also going for an STI test and having good results can be a great relief.
It’s normal to feel scared going to the clinic for your first visit. When you visit a clinic in BC Canada all the information is kept strictly confidential. This means no information from the visit will be given to your parents.
I would recommend visiting one of the youth clinics or options for sexual health clinics that are around BC. Have a look at our clinic finder which has a list of clinics in your area.
When you visit a clinic a number of different tests will be offered to you. If a woman is having no symptoms most STI tests can be checked with a urine and blood samples with no need for a physical exam.
Also let us know if you need help finding a clinic in your area. Some people also like to chat with the nurse on our chat line about any specific concerns.
Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.
Health Nurse
For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.
Hi there
It is a good idea to get tested if a previous partner has called you. You may also need treatment, but you can talk to the person you see about what is best for you.
You can get free testing and treatment at a number of public health clinics in Vancouver.
Below are some of the clinics in Vancouver. You can also look for clinics in our Clinic Finder.
The STI Clinic
655 West 12th
Vancouver
604 707 5600
It is best to call for an appointment
Bute Clinic
1170 Bute St
Vancouver
Monday to Friday 11 – 6:30
Always drop in
Pine Free Clinic
1985 W 4th Avenue
Vancouver
604 736 2391
For youth under 25 and uninsured people over 25 in the morning only
Drop in, but you can call for hours
Health Nurse
Hi.
Some STI clinics are operated by public health and they do not require that you have BC Medical Insurance (MSP).
Other clinics, such as doctors offices and walk in clinics, require that you have an MSP number. Without it you wll be charged for the doctors visit.
The STI tests that are done are free, no matter where you go for testing.
STD (STI) testing is not usually done anonymously. However, some public health clinics (often the ones that do not require MSP) do not require ID when you get tested.
Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.
Health Nurse
For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.
Hi
The test you may be talking about is the NAAT test. The window period is shorter than standard HIV antibody testing. It is 90% accurate 10 – 12 days after sexual contact.
This test is available for men and trans people in a few clinics in Vancouver, as part of a study. The aim of this study is to find people when they first get HIV. For the first 2 months after someone gets HIV, it is easy to pass on because there is a high amount of virus in the body.
The clinics that offer HIV NAAT testing :
Bute clinic: always drop – in, with no appointments.
HIM: drop in and appointments, but appointments will guarantee you a time to be seen.
Provincial STI Clinic: mainly by appointment, but you MAY be seen if you drop in.
You can find more details about these clinics in our Clinic Finder.
Please leave a comment to let us know if that answers your question or if you need more information.
Health Nurse
For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.