Sexual Health Clinic

All appointments are available at 179 Clarence Street only. There are no drop-in services. 

Want testing now? We offer testing through GetaKit.ca    

 

 

We are offering appointments to residents of Ottawa for the following:

  • HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (HIV PEP) & HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (HIV PrEP) - (for those who qualify)
  • Anonymous HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) testing
  • Emergency Contraception (Ella/Plan B/IUD)
  • Contraception, including intrauterine devices (IUDs) and low-cost options (for those 29 years and younger or for those who qualify)
  • Vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV), Hepatitis A and B immunization and Imvamune® mpox vaccine (for those who qualify)
  • Treatment for persons diagnosed with an STBBI (sexually transmitted and blood borne infection), including chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.
  • Testing for sexual partners of persons diagnosed with an STBBI including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and/or Mpox
  • STBBI testing for members of the following equity-denied groups:
    • Youth 29 years of age and younger
    • Indigenous communities
    • African, Caribbean, and Black communities
    • 2SLGBTQ+(Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning) and other men who have sex with men.
    • Persons engaging in sex work
    • People who use drugs by injection, or inhale or smoke crack or crystal meth, or who have concerns with sharing drug equipment

How to book

All appointments are available at 179 Clarence Street only.

If you qualify, please call the Sexual Health Clinic when the phone lines are open:

  • Monday and Tuesday: 9 am to noon
  • Wednesday to Friday: 9 am to noon and 1 to 3:30 pm

Other Services

You may be able to get some or all these services at:

  • Your family doctor or nurse practitioner
  • A medical walk-in clinic, or
  • Online testing through www.getakit.ca 

For general sexual health information, please contact the Ontario Sexual Health Infoline by phone: 1-800-668-2437 or by e-chat.

Sexual Health Clinic Hours by Appointment

  • Monday and Tuesday: 12:45 to 3:30 pm
  • Wednesday: 8:45 to 11:30 am
  • Thursday: 12:45 to 3:30 pm
  • Friday: 8:45 to 11:30 am

To help with registration bring your valid Ontario Health Card or photo ID showing an Ontario address. You do not need a referral or OHIP coverage to visit our clinic. 

Equity Denied Groups:

Definition:  People who face barriers to access and opportunities due to systemic discrimination. 

Source: Let's Talk Language of Health Equity (PDF), National Collaborative Centre for Determinants of Health, 2023 

  • Blood work for herpes or pregnancy
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Routine cervical cancer screening 
  • Scabies, crabs or lice
  • Sexual dysfunction (erection and arousal difficulties, timing of ejaculation, low libido)
  • Fertility, miscarriage or menopause

In the above cases you should NOT come to the Sexual Health Clinic; instead, please see your Health Care Provider or a Walk-In Clinic.  In the case of an Emergency, please go directly to the nearest Hospital.

Once you have booked your appointment, you will receive an appointment reminder by email or text. Before you arrive, please complete the registration form that will be found in your email or text reminder. We ask that you arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time to help keep the clinic on time.

How to prepare for your visit

  • Please bring your valid Ontario Health Card or photo ID showing an Ontario address. (*Insert link What if I don't have an Ontario Health Card or photo ID?)
  • Please do not urinate one hour before your visit
  • It is best that you eat and drink before your blood test

When you arrive

  • The receptionist will verify that you have completed your electronic registration form which includes your contact information and health related questions. This information will be used to start a medical record for you or retrieve your existing file.  To help with registration bring your valid Ontario Health Card or photo ID showing an Ontario address. (Insert link: What if I don't have an Ontario Health Card or photo ID?)
  • Each client receives a number, which will be used to identify you during your visit.
  • Please note that clients may not always be seen in numerical order. Each person is here for a different reason. We have various health care practitioners who perform different roles. You will be seen as close to your appointment time as possible by the next available practitioner who can address the reason for your visit.
  • An appointment may take up to one hour depending on the services needed. The visit may include an assessment, on-site testing, blood work and treatment. 

The interview

  • When your number is called you will be seen by a health care practitioner, such as a nurse, doctor or nurse practitioner who will ask you a series of questions, including:
    • the reason for your visit
    • contact information
    • medical and sexual history

The information you share will be used to determine the type of services that may be beneficial to you.

During this time, the health care practitioner may provide you with information about STBBI (sexually transmitted and blood borne infections), safer sex and birth control options. This is also your opportunity to ask any questions you have about sex or sexual health and to voice your concerns.

The assessment

  • After your interview, if an exam is required you will see a doctor or nurse practitioner. 
  • During the exam, the doctor or nurse practitioner may do a number of tests depending on your assessment, whether you have symptoms and your risk for sexually transmitted infections.

Testing

The clinic can test for several types of STBBI (sexually transmitted and blood borne infections). Most infections have a "window period" before they can be detected. The table below summarizes how we conduct our most common tests, and the window periods associated with each infection. Based on your sexual history, the health care practitioner will determine what type of testing is appropriate at the time of your visit.

Tests conducted at the Sexual Health Clinic

Infection Testing Window Period
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Urine sample, swab of the cervix, vagina, throat or rectum Testing can be done at the time of presentation
Syphilis Blood test

Four to six weeks after a sexual contact
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) Blood test

Six to 12 weeks after potential risk

 

Results

It can take up to two weeks for results to come back from the lab. If you do not hear from us, test results are NEGATIVE. Please do not call the clinic for results. If you would like to review your results or get a copy, after 2 weeks have passed, please visit us in person during clinic hours and bring photo ID.

If a test is positive (which means your test showed you have an infection) you will be contacted by a Public Health Nurse about treatment and may be asked for information about your sexual partners. This information will be used to contact these partners to ensure that they are tested and treated. All information will be kept confidential. Your name will not be given to these partners.

For more information, or to speak with a Public Health nurse, please contact 613-234-4641 or the Sexual Health Infoline Ontario at 1-800-668-2437.

You do not need OHIP coverage to visit our clinic.

If you don't have any ID:

  • Please call us at 613-234-4641 for more information

Ontario Health Card has expired:

  • Bring the expired card and the temporary document as proof of your renewal with you 

My Ontario Health Card has expired and I haven't renewed it:

  • We will accept other valid photo ID showing an Ontario address like an Ontario Driver's License or Ontario Photo Card
  • Renew your Ontario Health Card

My ID has been stolen:

  • Please call us at 613-234-4641 for more information
  • To replace stolen ID call ServiceOntario toll-free at 1-800-267-8097

I live in Quebec:

  • Visit CLSC de Gatineau
    • 85, rue Saint-Rédempteur, Gatineau, QC
    • Tel: 819-966-6532

I'm an international student with health coverage through my university/college: 

  • We encourage you to attend the health clinic on campus

I'm in the Armed Forces and do not have provincial health coverage:

  • We encourage you to access services at the Canadian Forces Health Services Centre Ottawa
  • Please call us at 613-234-4641 for more information
  • Services are available at the Canadian Forces Health Services Centre Ottawa at 713 Montreal Rd.

I am a foreign national and have private medical insurance:  

  • We encourage you to access health services by going to a general walk-in clinic.  For more information on what a walk-in clinic provides, please visit the Walk-In Clinics provincial website. 

If you live somewhere other than Ontario or Quebec:

  • Please call us at 613-234-4641 for more information

If you still have questions about which ID is required, call us at 613-234-4641.

All GAY ZONE appointments are available at 179 Clarence Street only. We are offering appointments for gay, bi, trans, and other men who have sex with men for the following:

  • Screening and treatments for sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs)
  • HIV testing--rapid and/or anonymous
  • Hepatitis A and B vaccination
  • HPV vaccine (for those who qualify)
  • Imvamune®) mpox vaccine (for those who qualify)

To book an appointment, please call the Sexual Health Clinic at (613) 234-4641:

  • Monday to Tuesday: 9 am to noon
  • Wednesday to Friday: 9 am to noon and 1 to 3:30 pm

To help with registration bring your valid Ontario Health Card or photo ID showing an Ontario address. What if I don't have an Ontario Health Card or photo ID?

Location: 179 Clarence Street, Ottawa

Hours: Thursday 4 to 6 pm

Online STBBI (sexually transmitted and blood borne infection) testing services are available through GetaKit.ca for Ottawa residents. Tests can be ordered 24/7. Test requisitions are mailed or available online. Tests are performed at a local lab using your health insurance card (e.g. OHIP, UHIP, IFH, NHIB, private or military coverage). For more information - or to order your STBBI tests online - visit GetaKit.ca.

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