By Dr. Maria Fernanda Peraza Godoy - Specialist in Urology, Andrology and Sexual Medicine. GUA Urology and Andrology.
Table of Contents
- Why talk about this now?
- What will you find in this guide?
- Top 3 STIs we see the most in consultation
- "What if I don't have symptoms?"
- The 1-3-3 rule to test yourself without getting confused
- Window periods: when to test after a risky practice
- Practical prevention: what works
- Quick "before-during-after" checklist
- Why prevention messages don't get through (and how to make them get through)
- How we accompany you in GUA
- Make an appointment today
Why talk about this now?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise in Spain and Europe. They especially affect young men, but no one is free. The good news: they can be prevented, detected in time and treated. Our aim with this article is to give you clear criteria, without scares or moralizing, so that you can make informed decisions about your sexual health.
Here you will find
- Which STIs are the most frequent in men today and how they manifest themselves.
- The 1-3-3 rule for deciding when to test yourself.
- Practical prevention tips for vaginal, anal and oral sex.
- What to do if you have a steady partner, if you have new partners or if you practice chemsex.
- Vaccines that do protect you.
- How we accompany you at GUA: confidentiality, testing, treatment and follow-up.
Top 3 STIs we see the most in consultation
1) Gonorrhea
What it is: a bacterium(Neisseria gonorrhoeae) that is transmitted by unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex.
Typical symptoms in men: itching during urination, thick urethral discharge (yellow/greenish), testicular pain or swelling. Rectal pain or discharge and sore throat after oral sex may also occur. Sometimes, there are no symptoms.
Why it is a cause for concern: it progresses rapidly and is associated with antibiotic resistance. Requires proper diagnosis and choice of treatment.
Spread: by contact with infected secretions. Also during childbirth (from mother to baby). Not transmitted by towels, toilets or swimming pools.
More info: Gonorrhea - testing and treatment at GUA.
2) Chlamydia
What it is: Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Very common and often silent.
Symptoms in males: clear or thin discharge, burning during urination, pelvic discomfort or testicular pain. In the rectum: pain, tenesmus, discharge. In the throat: irritation.
Cause for concern: because it can go unnoticed and facilitate other infections. In men it can be complicated by epididymitis.
It is transmitted: by sex without a condom (vaginal, anal or oral) and by contact with secretions. There is perinatal transmission.
More info: Chlamydia - diagnosis and management.
3) Syphilis
What it is: Caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It evolves in stages.
Guiding symptoms:
- Primary: a painless ulcer (chancre) on the genitals, anus or mouth.
- Secondary: rash on palms and soles, plaques on mucous membranes, fever, malaise.
- Latent: no symptoms.
- Tertiary (late): may affect heart, brain and other organs.
Spread: by direct contact with the ulcer during vaginal, anal or oral sex. It can also be transmitted during pregnancy.
More info: Syphilis - testing and treatment.
"What if I don't have symptoms?"
Most STIs can occur without clear signs, especially chlamydia and gonorrhea. Therefore, if you are sexually active, it is worthwhile to practice regular screening and ask for tests in all areas of exposure (urethra/urinary tract, rectum and pharynx), not just urine.
To integrate it into your routine, you can book your appointment online or write to us.
The 1-3-3 rule to test yourself without getting confused
- 1 → If you have a steady partner and do not change partners, once a year. Whenever you change partners, get tested.
- 3-6 → If you have new or multiple partners in parallel, every 3-6 months.
- 3 → If you are MSM (men who have sex with men), use PrEP, practice chemsex or have frequent condomless sex, every 3 months.
Order tests according to your practices: urethra (urine or exudate), rectum and pharynx. Add serologies (syphilis, HIV) and hepatitis according to your case.
Reinforce your plan with our sexual health content and request your screening.
Window periods: when to test after a risky practice
- Chlamydia / Gonorrhea (PCR/NAAT): reliable detection from the first-second week after exposure. If you have symptoms, test earlier.
- Syphilis (serology): antibodies are usually detected after 3-6 weeks; a very early negative test may require repetition.
- HIV (4th generation): definitive result 6 weeks after the risk contact. If the negative result is earlier, control may be required.
Si hay síntomas compatibles, no esperes: consulta y valora tratamiento presuntivo. Después podrás repetir pruebas para confirmar curación.
En riesgo reciente (<72h), valora consulta urgente.
Practical prevention: what works
Non-negotiable
- Condom: use it from the beginning to the end in vaginal, anal and oral sex. Change condoms when changing practices.
- Lubricant: water or silicone based; avoid damaging the condom. Anal always with lubricant.
- Periodic tests: apply the 1-3-3. Integrate the tests into your health routine.
- Notify and treat partners if a test is positive.
- Vaccines: HPV, hepatitis A and B. See our HPV and
Hepatitis pages.
Negotiable (depending on your context)
- Partner agreements: monogamy, "negotiated monogamy", use of PrEP, or agreeing to testing before stopping condom use.
- Oral barriers: condom for oral penile-mouth sex; latex barriers for oral-vulva/anus sex.
- Self-exudates: some clinics allow pharyngeal/rectal self-tests (convenient and effective), ask for it.
For a complete approach to urogenital health, also check out our male pelvic floor section and other blog content.
Quick "before-during-after" checklist
- Before: carry kit (condoms, lubricant, wipes), check expiration date, discuss limits and prevention methods.
- During: if the condom breaks, change it immediately. Do not mix fat-based lubricants (oils, petroleum jelly) with latex condoms.
- Después: si hubo incidente, valora PEP VIH (profilaxis post-exposición) cuanto antes (ideal < 72 h). Agenda test según ventana.
Pedir cita.
Why prevention messages don't get through (and how to make them get through)
What slows down
- Information ≠ awareness. Knowing facts does not always change behaviors.
- False reassurance about silent infections. Chlamydia and gonorrhea may not give symptoms.
- Inconsistent condom use. The risk of oral sex and practice changes without changing the condom is minimized.
- Normalization of casual sex without screening. Sexual networks increase, but testing is not integrated as routine.
- Low risk perception. "It's not going to happen to me."
- Psychological reactance. Moralistic or fear messages generate rejection ("they want to control me").
- Cognitive dissonance. To avoid guilt, we tend to minimize risk.
- Guilt and shame. They block consultation and conversation.
- Double social message. Pleasure is promoted but infection is stigmatized → confusion and silence.
How we change the script
- Non-judgmental language, with focus on care and pleasure: choose condoms, lubricant, vaccinations and periodic tests.
- Mnemonic rule 1-3-3 in all communications: annual / 3-6 months / 3 months.
- Normalize the test as sexual hygiene. Same as dental check-up.
- Explicit harm reduction (MSM and chemsex): partner agreements, PrEP, barriers to oral/anal sex, quarterly check-ups if high risk.
- Concrete and measurable calls to action: "order your test this month", "bring your partner", "get vaccinated if you are missing".
- Micro-messages that work: "No symptoms ≠ no STIs", "Test + condom = protection", "Safe sexual health = self-care + informed choices".
How we accompany you at GUA: confidentiality, testing, treatment and follow up
At GUA Urology and Andrology we offer you a confidential and close environment. We perform STI tests adjusted to your practices (urethra, rectum, pharynx and serology), we guide you about vaccination, we initiate treatment when appropriate and we schedule follow-up. Our approach is practical, without scaremongering, focused on your well-being.
Meet our team: GUA team and the author Dr. Mafe Peraza Godoy.
Make an appointment today
Take the next step towards safe sexual health. Schedule your STI test or consultation with our team.
- Phone: 928 264 695
- Email: info@urologiayandrologia.com
- Book your appointment online
(also available: Make an appointment)
"Taking care of your sexual health is taking care of you. We are here to help you."
