Patient Stories: Norman

Welcome to another instalment of Better2Know’s Patient Stories.

At Better2Know, we believe that sharing personal experiences can help break down the stigma many people feel around getting tested for STIs. We’ve gathered stories from people who have gotten tested to inspire and encourage others to take this important step for their sexual health.

Certain names and details in these stories have been altered for privacy.

Norman’s story shows the value of happy accidents. While he was a student, a hard push by his university for testing showed Norman how other areas of his life needed some attention.

When Norman went to university in his early 20s, he was thrust into a new environment, with new people and new life experiences right in front of him. Like a lot of young students, the thrill of learning mingled well with the thrill of dating.

If you’ve had sex and you’re worried about STIs, Better2Know is here to help.

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“I started dating more often when I went to uni in my early 20s,” Norman said over a video call. Despite his name, Norman has the rounder, softer features of someone quite young, his hair jet black save for a single shock of grey at the very front. “They’d have STI awareness drives every few months on campus. They’d get you to do a test for drinks vouchers, so it was a no-brainer!”

For Norman, it wasn’t about a dramatic sexual encounter or a night of fun gone wrong. What led him to get tested was much more prosaic.

“I wasn’t specifically concerned about having an STI as I always used protection, but at the time all my mates were getting tested at the same event, so I joined in.

“I think testing was pushed really hard about a decade or two ago[…]it was pretty normal. I remember campaigns being everywhere at the time.”

Norman also noticed, as we at Better2Know have, the lack of awareness in recent years about sexual health testing.

“It’s not talked about very much these days. [I think there’s] more stigma attached [than there used to be].”

Despite an increased willingness to get tested at home, unsafe sex practices are rising among 16-24 year olds, with condom use far less common than it was twenty years ago. National surveys have shown that while young people are having less sex than previous generations, they’re more likely to engage in riskier sexual behaviours, and are more likely to get an STI than other age groups. This points to a need for more access to sexual health education.

We asked Norman how he felt about his results, and when we did, he let out a chuckle as a look of ambivalence crossed his face.

“I was relieved more than worried. I got a message asking to ring up. I thought the worst, but then found out it wasn’t too serious.”

Fortunately, Norman’s brush with an STI test didn’t result in any positive results. At least, not those kinds of positive results.

“I tested positive for non-specific urethritis, which is caused by harsh shower gels. I used to pee a lot and didn’t think anything of it, but I switched after I found out, which has helped ever since.”

Norman was satisfied with his testing experience. But it made him think twice about how casual he’d been about his sexual health.

“It’s easy to let it slip down the priority list when you’ve got a lot going on or you’re anxious about the result, but it really is a relief knowing so you can do something about it.”