STI Treatments

Over the last decade there has been a significant increase in people with sexually transmitted infections (STI), which is surprising as most STIs are easy to test for and easy to treat. The majority of STIs are caused by fungi, parasites and bacteria and are usually cleared up by a quick course of antibiotics. Viral STIs like genital herpes and genital warts can’t be cured, but can be managed by the use of anti-viral oral treatments or creams.

What to do when you know you are infected?

If you think that you may have been infected with an STI, it’s important that you get yourself tested as soon as possible. Getting tested for an STI is usually an easy, discreet process and there are many convenient ways to get one done. You can visit your local GUM clinic for a test, speak to your doctor or even do a test online.

If your test comes back positive, it’s important that you start the correct treatment straight away, and avoid having sex while you are still receiving treatment, unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. This will prevent you from passing an STI on to your partner.

What treatments are available?

One of the most effective ways to treat STIs is through the use of prescription medications called antibiotics and antivirals. With both types of medications, it’s important to ensure that you finish the entire course, even if you are starting to feel better. Stopping treatment too early might mean that the pathogens causing the infection will not be completely removed or suppressed (herpes and genital warts) and may return or develop a tolerance to the treatment.

The following are examples of antibiotics and anti-viral treatments that can effectively control or cure STIs:

Doxycycline - this antibiotic can effectively treat and cure chlamydia, gonorrhoea, ureaplasma urealyticum, non-specific urethritis and mycoplasma genitalium. It’s available in capsules, tablets, syrup, oral suspension, gel or injection form. Doxycycline is usually prescribed in a low daily dose over the course of one or two weeks, which means that it’s less likely to cause side effects than higher dose antibiotics.

Azithromycin - this very widely-used antibiotic is usually recommended to treat bacterial STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, ureaplasma urealyticum and non-specific urethritis. Azithromycin stays active in the body much longer than some other treatments, which means that it can be effective in a single high dose. Azithromycin usually works very quickly and most people notice an improvement within three to five days after taking it.

Cefixime - is an antibiotic that can effectively treat and cure gonorrhoea and mycoplasma genitalium in a single high dose. Just like Azithromycin, Cefixime can provide relief relatively quickly.

Metronidazole – can treat and cure cases of bacterial vaginosis and trichomonas vaginalis. It’s should normally be taken daily for between seven to ten days, depending on your condition. Taking this treatment in a lower daily dose makes it less likely to cause side effects.

Aciclovir – is an oral anti-viral treatment for genital herpes. It can’t cure the herpes simplex virus t, but can help treat visible symptoms caused by an outbreak. This can help them go away much quicker, easing discomfort.

Aldara, Condyline and Warticon are three topical anti-viral treatments for genital warts. Aldara works to help warts go away by encouraging your immune system to attack the infection. Condyline is a gel version of Warticon cream, and both treatments work to have a toxic effect on the warts on the surface of the skin.

What treatments are available?

We understand that receiving prompt and effective treatment straight away is very important, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with an STI. This is why we provide you with a way to order the correct prescription treatment for your condition online. Our service includes a quick online consultation, which will be reviewed by our doctor, who will recommend the best STI treatment for you.

All our orders are dispensed from our UK registered pharmacy and shipped via secure and discreet next-day delivery, at no additional charge, so you’ll be able to start treatment straight away.