Sexual Health in UCC
Michael Hanrahan (Contributor)
There has been a significant increase in the rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young adults aged 19-24 years in Cork & Kerry.
In 2022, there was a 43% increase in Chlamydia notifications and an 88% increase in Gonorrhoea notifications among 15-24 year olds to the HSE Department of Public Health Area D (Cork & Kerry) compared to 2019 figures.
STIs are infections that are passed on through sexual contact with someone who has an infection. Many people who have an STI will not have any symptoms, but STIs do have the potential to make people unwell or cause long-term damage to the reproductive system.
Here is some useful information about STIs and the actions you can take to prevent them.
Symptoms of STIs:
Many people do not have any symptoms. If they do have symptoms, they can include:
Men and people with a penis:
Discharge from the tip of the penis
Pain or discomfort passing urine
Pain and swelling in one or both testicles
Women and people with a vagina:
Bleeding after sex
Bleeding between periods
Change in your normal vaginal discharge
Pain passing urine
Pain in your abdomen (tummy)
Some people may have bowel symptoms such as diarrhoea, pain, mucus discharge or bleeding from the back passage.
How to Prevent STIs:
Remember to practise safe sex and always use barrier protection (e.g. condoms/ dental dams) with new or unknown partners, even if you are taking other forms of contraception or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Using protection every time you have sex will greatly reduce your risk of contracting an STI.
If you have a new sexual partner, it is a good idea for both of you to have an STI
test before having sex. You may not have any symptoms, or know you have an STI. Even if you don't notice any symptoms, you can still pass an STI to a sexual partner, so it is important to be tested.
Limiting your number of sexual contacts will also reduce the likelihood that you will contract an STI.
Free Condoms:
You are able to access free condoms from both Student Health and the Students' Union Welfare Office (Ground floor of 54 College Rd).
You can also request free condoms from sexualhealthcentre.com.
Free Contraception:
For females and people with a uterus aged 17 to 25 years you may also be eligible to access free condoms and other forms of contraception from participating GPs and pharmacies. Visit sexualwellbeing.ie for more information.
How to get Tested:
If you do not have any symptoms of an STI you can get checked by ordering a free, anonymous home testing kit online from the HSE (visit sexualwellbeing.ie for more information).
If you have symptoms of an STI, or have had recent sexual contact with someone who has an STI, you should contact the local STI clinic (contact information below), the Student Health Department or your GP.
Contact information:
STI Clinic, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Old Blackrock Road. Tel: 021 496 6844
STI Clinic, Youth Health Service, Penrose House, Penrose Quay, Cork City. Tel: 021 4937250
UCC Student Health Department, Ardpatrick, College Road, Cork. Tel. 021 4902311
A list of other STI clinics in Ireland is available from: sexualwellbeing.ie/sexual-health/hse-sti-services-in-ireland.html
For more information about STIs and sexual health please visit - sexualwellbeing.ie or man2man.ie.
