Ask Ferne
Have questions about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), period pain, abnormal discharges, or other general sexual health?
Ask us anonymously, and one of our panel doctors will get back to you with the answers!
We will also publish the questions and answers below.

FAQ
ABOUT CERVICAL CANCER
What is HPV?
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About 40 HPV strains can infect the genital area.
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High-risk strains of HPV are associated with cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancer in women, and less commonly, anal or penile cancer in men. The most common high-risk strains are 16 and 18.
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Low-risk strains of HPV may cause no symptoms or lead to genital warts. HPV types 6 and 11 are responsible for about 90% of genital warts.
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Other HPV strains may infect the skin of the fingers, hands, and face.
What are the risk factors for cervical cancer?
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HPV subtypes - Persistent infection with high-risk strains.
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Immune status - People who are immunocompromised, such as those living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), are more likely to have persistent HPV infections and a more rapid progression to pre-cancer and cancer.
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Co-infection with other sexually transmitted agents, such as those that cause herpes, simplex, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
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Multiple sexual partners (in either partner).
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The onset of sexual intercourse at an early age.
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Tobacco smoking.
How is HPV transmitted?
What are the signs and symptoms of a HPV infection?
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Most HPV infections do not have any signs or symptoms. -
Some HPV infection may cause genital warts. -
High-risk HPV infection of the cervix does not cause any signs and symptoms. The abnormality on the cervix is detectable by cervical screening (Pap test) and by HPV DNA (genetic material) tests. -
Symptoms of cervical cancer include abnormal vaginal bleeding such as bleeding after menstrual periods of after sex. There may also be changes in the amount, colour or smell of the vaginal discharge.
Can HPV be treated?
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No treatment is required for asymptomatic HPV infections.
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The body clears most HPV infections (90 percent of the cases) without the need for treatment.
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Treatment is directed at HPV-associated conditions such as pre-cancerous lesions, cancer, or genital warts.
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Although the HPV virus cannot be treated, regular cervical cancer screening tests can either detect changes in the cervical cells caused by HPV infection (Pap test) or to identify high-risk HPV cancer-causing strains.
How is HPV related to cervical cancer?
How can I best protect myself against cervical cancer?
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Go for regular cervical cancer screening as it is the most effective way to detect abnormal changes in the cervical cells and cervical cancer.
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All women aged 25 and above who have ever had sex should have either a Pap test once every three years (for women 25 to 29 years old) or an HPV (or HPV DNA) test once every five years (for women 30 years and above).
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Speak to your doctor about the HPV vaccination to determine if you are suitable.
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Even if you have received the HPV vaccination, it is important that you still go for regular cervical cancer screening as the HPV immunization only protects against 70 to 90 percent of high-risk HPV strains.
What is the difference between Pap Smear and HPV Screening?
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Pap test involves scraping and brushing cells from your cervix, which are then examined in a lab for abnormalities. A Pap test can detect abnormal cells in the cervix, including cancer cells and cells that show changes that increase cervical cancer risk.
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HPV DNA test involves testing cells collected from the cervix for infection with any of the types of HPV that are most likely to lead to cervical cancer.
OUR PRODUCTS & SERVICES
What is Ferne Health?
What products and services does Ferne Health offer?
We offer home-based screening kits for common sexually transmitted infections, including:
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Cervical Cancer HPV Kit –– Screen for high-risk HPV strains that could lead to cervical cancer. -
Made For Women Kit –– Designed to help women better understand their reproductive health. -
Gonorrhea & Chlamydia Kit For Female –– Screen for the two most common STIs: Gonorrhea and Chlamydia. -
Gonorrhea & Chlamydia Kit For Male –– Screen for the two most common STIs: Gonorrhea and Chlamydia.
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Peace of Mind Package –– Screen for HIV, Syphilis, and Herpes 1 & 2 through our onsite service.
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STI Tele-consultation –– Seeing some symptoms but not sure if it’s STD related? Book an online consultation right now to find out! Our doctor will connect with you within 24 hours. -
Women’s Health Tele-consultation –– Are you worried about your cycles, unusual discharge, or suffering from pains during urination? Speak to our specialist or GP doctors today and learn more about what you should do!
How long will it take for me to receive my screening results?
The screening time varies per screening kit:
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Cervical Cancer Kit –– 2-3 business days -
Made For Women Kit –– 3-6 business days -
G&C Kit For Female –– 3-6 business days -
G&C Kit For Male –– 3-6 business days -
Peace of Mind Package –– 6 business days
What are home-based STI screening kits?
Home-based screening kits use self-collected, mail-in samples to perform lab tests that will screen for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Home-based screening kits offer discreet screening process for STIs in the privacy of your own home, free of social stigmas and unnecessary discrimination.
How does tele-consultation work?
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Schedule a teleconsultation session through our website
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Receive a confirmation email with instructions and a link for the scheduled teleconsultation session
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On your first visit, our doctor may ask for some additional details, so have your NRIC/FIN card ready
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During the session, our doctor will be ready to answer any questions you have, and suggest a relevant home-based screening kit, or formulate a treatment plan for you
How would I know if my results are accurate?
How would I get my screening results?
Results will be delivered to you with full privacy. Once your results are ready, our partner clinic will reach out to deliver them to you. Your results will be between you and the doctors.
Why do I need to schedule an online consultation before receiving my home-based screening kit?
The mandatory online consultation is for our doctor to check in with you on your health history and answer any questions you may have regarding the self-sampling process.
How to mail-in my self-collected sample?
ABOUT STI/STD
What is STI?
Why should I care about STIs?
What are the common STI in Singapore?
Based on Singspore's Department of Sexually Transmitted Infections Control, in 2018 the most common STIs in Singapore are as follows:
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Chlamydia -
Gonorrhea -
Syphilis -
Genital Warts -
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
What are the STI symptoms?
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An unusual vaginal discharge, which may be thin or watery and green or yellow in color -
Pain or a burning sensation when passing urine -
Bleeding between periods, heavier periods, and bleeding after sex
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Pain or a burning sensation when urinating -
Inflammation (swelling) of the foreskin -
An unusual discharge from the tip of the penis, which may be white, yellow, or green -
Infection in the rectum can cause discomfort, pain, or discharge.
How would I know if I have STI?
Some STIs have symptoms, and you could refer to our STI symptoms checklist to identify some unusual itchiness or pain. However, many STIs may only show subtle or not show any symptoms at all. Some symptoms may also appear after a long incubation period. STIs, including Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Trichomoniasis, Hepatitis B&C, or even HIV, may not show any symptoms for a very long time. So the only way to know if you have contracted STIs is to get tested regularly.
What do I do if I have STI?
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Bacterial STIs can generally be cured with antibiotics. However, if left untreated, they can lead to further complications. Common bacterial STIs are Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis.
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Viral STIs cannot be cured, although many can be treated with medication. Some viral STIs, such as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), can disappear on their own. Common viral STIs include HIV, genital herpes, HPV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. There is a vaccine available to prevent both HPV and Hepatitis B.
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Parasitic STIs can be cured with medications and creams. Common examples include scabies and pubic lice.
Why should I screen for STI?
How do I get Gonorrhea and Chlamydia?
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Unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex
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Sharing sex toys that are not washed or covered with a new condom each time they're used
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Your genitals coming into contact with your partner's genitals – this means you can get chlamydia from someone even if there's no penetration, orgasm, or ejaculation
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Infected semen or vaginal fluid getting into your eye
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A pregnant woman can also pass it to her baby.
What are the consequences if STIs are left untreated?
ABOUT WOMEN'S HEALTH
What is yeast infection?
What is urinary tract infections or UTI?
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Infection of the bladder (cystitis) is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), a type of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, sometimes other bacteria are responsible. Sexual intercourse may lead to cystitis, but you don't have to be sexually active to develop it. All women are at risk of cystitis because of their anatomy — specifically, the short distance from the urethra to the anus and the urethral opening to the bladder.
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Infection of the urethra (urethritis) can occur when GI bacteria spread from the anus to the urethra. Also, because the female urethra is close to the vagina, sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and mycoplasma, can cause urethritis.
What is bacterial vaginosis or BV?
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Burning feeling when you pee
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Fishy smell that gets stronger after sex
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Itching
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Thin white, gray, or green discharge
What other common GYN exams I should to know about?
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External reproductive organs
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Internal reproductive organs
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(Optional) Rectum
ASK FERNE
If I have a yeast infection, can I still have sex?
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With an ongoing infection, the external genitalia may be extra sensitive or even itchy, sore and painful. Friction during sexual intercourse during such circumstances may cause a lot of discomforts, or even cause more skin irritation and aggravate symptoms further. -
New microorganisms may be introduced, (yes you can have more than 1 organism causing infection at any given time), making the infection more severe or harder to treat. -
In addition, some medications used to treat vaginal infections may contain properties that can weaken condoms and make them more likely to break during intercourse, thereby putting you at risk of pregnancy. -
There is also a possibility that yeast infection can be passed on to your partner if it has not been fully treated.
If I perform oral sex on someone who’s wearing a condom, will I get STDs?
How often should I get checked for STDs?
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number of partners -
types of relationship, e.g., open relationship or polyamory, whether your partner has other partners -
types of intercourse engaged in -
any casual partners or contact with commercial sex workers -
whether any barrier protection is used regularly -
any “accidents,” e.g., condom breakage/ slip-off
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test before commencing sexual activity with every new partner -
test after any possible risk exposure such as unprotected sex or condom breaks with casual /unfamiliar partners or new partners -
testing yearly minimally is also a good idea, especially for all sexually active women from 16 onwards, in the 20s (women in this age group are more likely to contact different partners). Older women with risk factors such as new or multiple partners should also undergo STD testing. -
Nonetheless, it is always best to discuss this with your doctor and seek their advice on this!
What types of STDs should I be looking out for?
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HIV -
Hepatitis -
Syphilis -
Herpes -
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea -
Trichomonas -
Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma -
Genital warts (due to HPV)
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vaginal or penile discharge -
itchiness/ rashes/ bumps / blisters or ulcers at the genital region -
urinary symptoms such as discomfort, pain, burning -
discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse -
bleeding during or after sex -
swollen bumps, especially at the groins (lymph node swelling) -
fever
I’m lesbian and have never had sex with a boy. Will I still get STDs?
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Using dental dams - a thin, flexible piece of latex placed over the genital region for oral sex, it acts as a physical barrier, similar to what a condom does
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Using disposable latex gloves for any form of fingering or manual stimulation - remember to use a new set of gloves before touching your own genitals or when switching to the penetration of another body region (e.g., between the anus and vagina)
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using condoms for sex toys - similarly, always uses a new condom for each partner and penetrates a different body opening. Also, make sure to wash sex toys with soap and water thoroughly after
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Avoid oral sex if either party has cuts or sores in the mouth or lips
Should I tell my current and previous sexual partners if I tested positive?
It's important to tell your current and previous sexual partners as their health could also be at risk. It's natural to feel worried, embarrassed, and even scared. But to protect yourself and your partner, it's a conversation you need to have.