Sexual Health Clinic

The Sexual Health Clinics are funded to provide services which include free and confidential STBBI (sexually transmitted blood borne infection) testing and treatment; and low cost birth control to Ontario residents including:

  • People with symptoms of STBBIs
  • People who have had sex with someone with an STBBI
  • People most affected by STBBIs
We offer
  • Information on STBBIs (sexually transmitted and blood borne infections) and contraception
  • Free testing and treatment for STBBIs
  • Confidential or anonymous HIV testing
  • Emergency contraception (ECP)
  • Affordable contraception (for those who qualify)
  • IUD/IUS insertion (by appointment only at main clinic)
  • Pregnancy testing & information about options
  • Hepatitis A & B immunization (for those who qualify)
  • Vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) (for those who qualify)
  • Free condoms
We DO NOT assess or treat the following:
  • Blood work for herpes or pregnancy
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Pain, sores or bumps in the mouth or throat including cold sores.
  • 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 Family Physician or a Walk-In Clinic.  In the case of an Emergency, please go directly to the nearest Hospital.

**PLEASE NOTE: Your family physician (GP) or nurse practitioner (NP) and University or College Health Services can provide STBBI (sexually transmitted blood borne infection) testing, Pap tests and birth control. The Sexual Health Clinic DOES NOT provide faster results for STBBI testing than your GP, NP or other clinics.

What to expect at the Sexual Health Clinic

The main Sexual Health Clinic opens 30 minutes prior to each walk-in clinic to allow clients to obtain a clinic number and registration form.

 How to prepare for your visit
  • Please do not urinate 1 hour before your visit
  • It is best that you eat and drink before your blood test
 When you arrive (Triage process):

You will be asked to fill out a registration form by the front reception staff, 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.

Each client receives a number, which will be used to identify you during your visit.

Please note that clients are not seen in numerical order. Each person is here for a different reason. The clinic's policy is to make sure the most appropriate health care practitioner sees each person as quickly as possible.

Expect your visit to last more than an hour. 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 nurse who will ask you a series of questions, including:
  • the reason for your visit
  • contact information
  • medical and sexual history

Your answers are used to determine the type of services that may be beneficial to you. The information you share with any health care practitioner at the clinic is completely confidential.

At this time, the nurse 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 be directed to an examination area where a doctor or nurse practitioner will see you. Depending on the number of clients on the day of your visit, there may be a wait before you are brought to an examination room.

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 Gonorrhoea

Urine sample, swab of the cervix

Swab of the  throat or rectum

Testing can be done at the time of presentation

48 hours after a sexual contact

Syphilis

Blood test

4-6 weeks after a sexual contact

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)

Blood test

6-12 weeks after potential risk

 

Results:

It can take up to 2-3 weeks for results to come back from the lab. If you do not hear from us, test results are NEGATIVE. Pap test results usually take up to six weeks. Please do not call for results as we are unable to provide results by telephone. You may return to the clinic after 2-3 weeks for a copy of your results by providing photo identification to the front reception staff.

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 AIDS and Sexual Health Info Line 1-800-668-2437.

 
Resources for out of province residents

** IF YOU DON’T HAVE AN ONTARIO HEALTH CARD: please call us at 613-234-4641 before coming to the clinic.

 

** Quebec residents can visit CLSC de Gatineau. 

  • 85, rue Saint-Rédempteur, Gatineau, QC
  • Tel: 819-966-6532
  • Drop in: Tuesday and Thursday 1 pm to 8:30 pm
  • Appointments: Monday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and Wednesday 1 pm to 9 pm

 

** International students with health coverage through their university/college: 

  • It is encouraged that you attend the clinic on campus.
  • UOttawa, Carleton & Saint Paul: Find a clinic that accepts UHIP here.
  • Algonquin: Find a clinic that accepts your insurance here.

 

Walk in clinic Information:
Why OPH does this

The Sexual Health Clinic is funded to provide such services to the following:

  • People with symptoms of STBBIs
  • People who have had sex with someone with an STBBI
  • People most affected by STBBI1,2
  • People aged 29 and under
  • Gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, and queer persons
  • Men who have sex with men
  • People who are Aboriginal or of black ethnicity
  • New immigrants from countries where HIV is endemic
  • People involved in the sex trade industry
  • People who use injection drugs and/ or who smoke crack

To ensure that we are the best service to meet your needs, we encourage you to review what services we offer and do not offer. At the time of your visit, a triage nurse will also review your sexual health concerns. Depending on your needs, you may be referred to a more appropriate health service.

References:

  1. Public Health Agency of Canada. Canadian guidelines on sexually transmitted infections (2013)
  2. Ottawa Public Health, Health Report (2014) 
IUD Insertion Clinic

The clinic will be closed Monday August 5, 2019

179 Clarence St, Ottawa

Call 613-234-4641 for information
Main clinic walk-in

The clinic will be closed Monday August 5, 2019

179 Clarence St, Ottawa

PLEASE NOTE: Due to high demand at our walk-in clinics, we may not be able to see everyone. The main Sexual Health Clinic opens 30 minutes prior to each walk-in clinic to allow clients to obtain a clinic number and registration form.

Hours of Operation

  • Monday and Wednesday 1 pm to 4 pm
  • Tuesday and Thursday 1 pm to 7 pm
  • Friday 9 am to noon
Main clinic - Appointment Hours

The clinic will be closed Monday August 5, 2019

All appointments are available at 179 Clarence St only

  • Monday 8:45 am to 11:30 am
  • Wednesday 8:45 am to 11:30 am 
  • Friday 8:45 am to 11:30 am

Reception Telephone Hours

Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 4 pm

To book an appointment please call our reception telephone line at 613-234-4641
Gay Men's Sexual Health Clinic  

Gay ZONE will be closed Thursday August 29, 2019 

Gay ZONE provides a wide range of programs and services for gay, bi, transmen and other men who have sex with men in the Ottawa area, including:

  • Screening and treatments for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's)
  • HIV testing--rapid and/or anonymous
  • Hepatitis A & B vaccination
  • HPV vaccine (for those who qualify)
  • A variety of health promotion programming

Location: 420 Cooper St, Ottawa

Hours: Thursday 5 pm to 8 pm

**PLEASE NOTE: Due to high demand at our walk-in clinics, we may not be able to see everyone.
 Youth Health Drop-In Clinics

New!!  We are now offering appointments at our youth community satellite clinics.  Please call 613-234-4641 if you would like to book an appointment

Please note that these clinics are located within another medical clinic; please tell the receptionist that you are there for the Ottawa Public Health Youth Sexual Health Clinic. All services offered at the main Sexual Health Centre are available at the Youth Sexual Health Clinics, with the exception of IUD/IUS insertions, anonymous HIV testing and Point of Care (rapid) HIV testing. (Confidential HIV testing is available at the Youth Sexual Health Clinics).

Please note: Due to high demand at our walk-in clinics, we may not be able to see everyone or provide you with a precise waiting time. 

Youth Sexual Health Clinic
(29 years of age and under)

Address

Hours of operation

Closure dates

West End Family Care Clinic -Youth Clinic

80 Michael Cowpland Dr, Kanata

Tuesday 5 pm to 8 pm

 

South Nepean Community Health Centre - Youth Clinic

201-4100 Strandherd Dr, Barrhaven

Wednesday 2 pm to 5 pm

 

Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre - Youth Clinic

105-240 Centrum (main floor)

Wednesday 2 pm to 5 pm

 
 Youth Sexual Health Outreach Clinics

Drop-in services available to youth who are clients at the following locations: 

Clinic

Address

Hours

Closure Dates

Operation Come Home

150 Gloucester St, Ottawa

Wednesday 9:30 am to 11:30 am

  

 

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