Sex is a fun, wonderful practice, and just like other practices, it carries its own level of risk. One of the biggest risks you face is being exposed to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
STIs are harmful infections that are spread through sexual acts including kissing, oral sex, anal and vaginal penetration. Though they can present some symptoms, often they can be asymptomatic (show no signs). It is impossible to tell if you are infected without certain tests.
Fortunately, these tests are free, simple, discreet, confidential, fast and easy to access. There are different types of tests, as STIs live in different parts of the body.
Testing is a natural and important step in staying up to date on the condition of your own body, and protecting yourself against many harmful STIs. Getting tested is the only way to know what is going on with your body, and a great way of protecting yourself and others from the spread of infection. If you are having sex, testing should be a regular part of your life.
When we test for STI’s, we use three simple methods. We take small samples of blood to test for HIV, Syphilis and Hep C. We can also do mouth, penis, vaginal and rectal swabs, as well as urine samples, to test for Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia, and other viruses.
Your samples are sent to a lab, where they test for everything twice for confirmation. Your results are then given back to you in person, usually within 10 business days.
Because most STIs often don’t show symptoms, and because they can take weeks to several months to become detectable in your system, we recommend you get tested at least few times a year, and ideally every three months.
Regular testing can help catch things that were previously missed in past tests. It helps to create a continuous history of knowing your status, which is a normal part of looking after your physical health. It also helps to normalize testing on a community wide basis, helping to fight stigma and shame around testing.
Getting tested before each new sexual partner is a great habit to get into!
Your family doctor and most walk in clinics will do STI testing by request. Some doctors, especially in the Southern Alberta region, will say it is unnecessary to get tested more than once a year, and tell you that you do not need it. However, it’s good to fight for it, as it is your body you are protecting.
Phone: 403-328-8186
Address: 1206 6th Avenue S, Lethbridge, AB
Eligibility: We welcome anyone in need of testing by walk-in and appointment. Walk in testing is subject to patient volume and nurse availability. Appointments are recommended and an Alberta Health Card is preferred.
Hours:
Monday: 8:30am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Tuesday: 8:30am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Wednesday: 8:30am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Thursday: 8:30am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Friday: 8:30am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Bigelow Fowler Clinic East
Phone: 403-327-3977
Address: 103-2049 Mayor Magrath Drive S, Lethbridge, AB
Eligibility: Walk-ins accepted for anyone during walk-in hours. Not currently accepting new patients.
Regular Hours:
Monday: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Tuesday: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Wednesday: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Thursday: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Friday: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Walk-In Hours:
Monday: 5:00pm onwards
Tuesday: 5:00pm onwards
Wednesday: 5:00pm onwards
Thursday: 5:00pm onwards
Friday: 5:00pm onwards
Saturday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Bigelow Fowler Clinic South
Phone: 403-327-3121
Address: 1605 9th Avenue S, Lethbridge, AB
Eligibility: Lab walk-ins are accepted but you must have a lab requisition to be seen. Not currently accepting new patients.
Hours:
Monday: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Tuesday: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Wednesday: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Thursday: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Friday: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Lab Hours:
Monday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Tuesday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Wednesday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Thursday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Friday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Bigelow Fowler Clinic West
Phone: 403-381-8444
Address: 30 Jerry Potts Boulevard W, Lethbridge, AB
Eligibility: Walk-ins accepted for anyone during walk-in hours but it is recommended to arrive early. Currently accepting new patients.
Regular Hours:
Monday: 9:00am – 8:30pm
Tuesday: 9:00am – 8:30pm
Wednesday: 9:00am – 8:30pm
Thursday: 9:00am – 8:30pm
Friday: 9:00am – 8:30pm
Walk-In Hours:
Monday: 5:00pm – 8:30pm
Tuesday: 5:00pm – 8:30pm
Wednesday: 5:00pm – 8:30pm
Thursday: 5:00pm – 8:30pm
Campbell Clinic North
Phone: 587-425-0200
Address: 1240 2a Avenue N, Lethbridge, AB
Eligibility: Open to everyone by walk-in and appointment. Health card required. Hours are subject to change based on patient volume and physician availability.
Regular Hours:
Monday: 9:00am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Tuesday: 9:00am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Wednesday: 9:00am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Thursday: 9:00am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Friday: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Walk-In Hours:
Monday: 9:00am – 12:00pm & 1:00 – 3:00pm & 5:00pm onwards
Tuesday: 9:00am – 12:00pm & 1:00 – 3:00pm & 5:00pm onwards
Wednesday: 9:00am – 12:00pm & 1:00 – 3:00pm & 5:00pm onwards
Thursday: 9:00am – 12:00pm & 1:00 – 3:00pm & 5:00pm onwards
Friday: 9:00am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Campbell Clinic South
Phone: 403-328-8101
Address: 430 Mayor Magrath Drive S, Lethbridge, AB
Eligibility: Patients only, appointment only. Not currently accepting new patients. All walk-ins are directed to Campbell Clinic North.
Hours:
Monday: 8:30am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:30am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:30am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:30am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Friday: 8:30am – 1:00pm
Campbell Clinic West
Phone: 403-381-7000
Address: 160 Columbia Boulevard W, Lethbridge, AB
Eligibility: Everyone is welcome by walk-in and appointment. Health card required. Lab and clinic may close early due to physician unavailability.
Regular Hours:
Monday: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Friday: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Walk-In Hours:
Tuesday: 10:00am – 1:00pm
Wednesday: 10:00am – 1:00pm
Lab Hours:
Monday: 8:30am – 11:15am & 1:00pm – 4:15pm
Tuesday: 8:30am – 11:15am & 1:00pm – 4:15pm
Wednesday: 8:30am – 11:15am & 1:00pm – 4:15pm
Thursday: 8:30am – 11:15am & 1:00pm – 4:15pm
Friday: 8:30am – 11:15am & 1:00pm – 4:15pm
Family Medical Centre Phone
Phone: 403-328-2326
Address: 2931 20th Avenue S, Lethbridge, AB
Eligibility: Walk-ins accepted for patients only. Not currently accepting new patients. Clinic hours are subject to change, so call the clinic directly to confirm hours of operation.
Regular Hours:
Monday: 8:00am – 7:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am – 7:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am – 7:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am – 7:00pm
Friday: 8:15am – 3:40pm
Walk-In Hours:
Monday: 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Tuesday: 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Wednesday: 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Thursday: 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Friday: 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Lab Hours:
Monday: 8:30am – 4:45pm
Tuesday: 8:30am – 4:45pm
Wednesday: 8:30am – 4:45pm
Thursday: 8:30am – 4:45pm
Friday: 8:15am – 3:40pm
Lethbridge College Health Services
Phone: 403-320-3289
Address: CE1380-3000 College Dr S, Lethbridge, AB
Eligibility: Students, staff and immediate family of college community only, by appointment only. Some walk-ins may be accepted. Call ahead for further information.
Hours:
Monday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Lethbridge Medical Clinic
Phone: 403-394-2002
Address: 517 6th Street S, Lethbridge, AB
Eligibility: Walk-ins available for anyone. Health card required. Currently accepting new patients. Call for more information.
Hours:
Monday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Friday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Palliser Medical Clinic
Phone: 403-381-1013
Address: 210-740 4th Avenue S, Lethbridge, AB
Eligibility: Walk-ins available for anyone. Health card required. Currently accepting new patients. Call for more information.
Regular Hours:
Monday: 9:00am – 12:30pm & 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Tuesday: 9:00am – 12:30pm & 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Wednesday: 9:00am – 12:30pm & 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Thursday: 9:00am – 12:30pm & 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Friday: 9:00am – 12:30pm
Sexual Health Clinic
Phone: 403-320-0110
Address: 300-740 4th Ave S, Lethbridge, AB
Eligibility: Welcomes everyone by walk-in and appointment. Health card required. Some services are by appointment (physician and counselling) but all others are drop-in (pregnancy testing, STI testing, emergency contraception, etc.). Call for further information.
Walk-In Hours:
Monday: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Tuesday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Wednesday: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Thursday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Friday: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Regular Hours:
Monday: 8:00am – 4:30pm
Tuesday: 9:30am – 6:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am – 4:30pm
Thursday: 9:30am – 6:00pm
Friday: 8:00am – 4:30pm
Monday, Wednesday & Friday Closed 12:00pm – 1:00pm
University of Lethbridge Health Centre
Phone: 403-329-2484
Address: SU020-4401 University Drive W, Lethbridge, AB
Eligibility: Students of U of L only, by appointment only.
Hours:
Monday-Friday: 9:00am – 4:00pm