Changes to Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea Screening Frequency for PrEP users

Highland Sexual Health: July 2025

What is changing

For people using PrEP (HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis), who have no symptoms of an STI, we now recommend routine Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea testing once every 6 months, instead of every 3 months.

What is not changing

HIV and Syphilis testing is still recommended every 3 months. It can be done at an express clinic appointment or through a self-sampling kit ordered online.

Testing for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea is still needed if you have any symptoms of an STI (e.g. abnormal discharge from vagina, penis or bum, pain when you pee, testicular or pelvic pain etc) or for anyone who has had sex with a person who has a confirmed STI.

Why are we making these changes

Just to be clear – we are only talking about reduced testing for people using PrEP who have no symptoms of infection.

This is because new evidence shows that doing very frequent Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea screening in people with no symptoms does not benefit the individual or reduce the overall rates of STIs within the population. There is also the risk of side effects and significant harm from using antibiotics when they aren’t needed, as well as more cases of treatment-resistant STIs where the usual antibiotics no longer work.

In addition, we know that using lots of antibiotics can disrupt the healthy bacteria in your body, which can reduce your natural defences against STIs and other infections. Your immune system can sometimes get rid of infections on its own, without the need for antibiotics - this is more common in cases where you don’t have any symptoms of infection. When your body clears the infection by itself, it can lead to better protection against being infected again.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask the nurse or doctor at your next appointment.

 

I am not an existing PrEP user, but would like to know more.

Visit www.prep.scot or our PrEP page by clicking here.

 

How can I make a PrEP appointment?

You can call our reception on 01463 888 300

or book online at www.highlandsexualhealth.co.uk and select the ONLINE BOOKING tab or click here

 

What if I need vaccinations before my next PrEP appointment?

If you require vaccinations in between your 6 monthly PrEP review appointments, we will arrange these for you at a separate appointment.

 

What if I have symptoms or have been in contact with an infection?

We would recommend that you contact us for an appointment to be seen for testing. You can do this by calling 01463 888300.

 

What if I need more condoms/lube?

You can drop into our clinic

 

Any other questions?

Information about PrEP can be found at www.prep.scot

or you can check our PrEP page on our website by clicking here.

or call us on Tel: 01463 888300 to make an appointment or speak to one of our health advisors

 

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