Sexual Health

Connecting Japan’s LGBTQIA+ International Community

AIDS/HIV Testing Centers and Community Centers around Japan

Many of the testing center websites are available only in Japanese. We are looking for translators to help go through these websites and translate the information. There are centers in most major cities all across Japan. If you’d like to help translate some of this information, please email stonewallsig@ajet.net to help extend our resources.

Where Can I Get Tested?

HIV/AIDS centers in Japan are more often available in bigger metropolitan areas. Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are the three biggest cities that will have HIV/AIDS testing, and will often have the best English services.
In addition to HIV centers, STD tests are frequently tested through urologists (for men) or OB-GYNs (for women)—however, these may vary in cost and degree of anonymity. It’s also important to check which STDs are offered for testing as not all tests are commonly run. In order to get the proper tests at the proper facility, call ahead or check online for in depth information.

  • This website is great to start looking for HIV test centers as well as resources for foreigners:
    hivkensa.com
  • If you’re concerned about anonymity or have difficulty accessing a clinic, you can purchase an at-home HIV testing kit here:
    healthytokyo.com/home-test-kit-guides/hiv/
  • If you can read Japanese, this website may also be useful:
    hiv-map.net

Prefecture-specific Resources

TOKYO

Shirabaka Clinic

The Shirakaba Clinic is a GLBT Friendly HIV Testing center dedicated to not only testing but also providing mental health support for HIV positive people. Head doctor Dr. Itoda Ichiro and his staff are English speaking staff, friendly, and helpful.

The services provided by Shirakaba Clinic include:

  • Primary health care
  • Confidential HIV/STD counseling and testing
  • Specialty care (infectious diseases, HIV/STD, plastic surgery)
  • Mental health care and counseling
  • Open in the evening and weekends
  • Rapid HIV, Syphilis & Hep B testing

NOTE: PrEP is available here, but only on a case by case basis where the patient has been exposed to a known HIV positive person. The cost of PrEP is not covered by health insurance and can be around US$2000.
A phone reservation is required before an appointment at 03-5919-3127
Address: B-STEP 2F, 8-28, Sumiyoshi-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Japan 162006


The Tokyo Metropolitan Testing & Counseling Office

The Tokyo Metropolitan Testing & Counseling Office is another testing facility that offers anonymous and free STD/STI and HIV tests. If you speak English, it’s not required that you make an appointment. Although the staff don’t speak English well, the forms are in English, and you can use an alias or initials only for testing.
If you have questions you can call the office at 03-3377-0811 (Japanese only)
Address: 3F Minami Shinjuku Building, 2-7-8, Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Unfortunately there is no website available for the office, however this blog is informative with directions and instructions: http://www.thejapanguy.com/hiv-testing-in-japan/


Shinjuku Health Center

The Shinjuku City Public Health Center has not only English services but also Português, Español, and Thai. No appointment is required for foreign language counseling and testing. You can go directly to the venue on testing days (60 days or more after possible/ known exposure).
Testing Services are for:

  • Syphilis, chlamydia, and hepatitis B on the same day upon your request.
  • Blood tests for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B; urine test for chlamydia

Testing Days are every Thursday (excluding public holidays) from 1 pm – 5 pm.
※ Thai language is only for twice in a month, call ahead.
Go back one week after the testing for the result(s). The test result(s) are available only within 3 months of your testing day.
Reception telephone number for all languages: 03-3369-7110
Appointments are usually required, but not for non-Japanese speakers. *Please be sure to check the website beforehand, as tests are not provided on some of the days.
Address: Tokyo Metropolitan Shinjuku Taxation Office 1F (Shinjuku Tozei Jimusho), 7-5-8 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Details: http://www.city.shinjuku.lg.jp/fukushi/file02_02_00009.html (in Japanese)
http://www.city.shinjuku.lg.jp/foreign/english/guide/kenko/kenko_8.html (in English)
If you live in the Shinjuku area, the city has also provided an HIV center map. Although in Japanese, it is an available resource here: HIV Center Map [PDF]


Personal Health Clinic

Personal Health Clinic (PHC) provides sexual health services for all ages, all genders, and all orientations. The clinic is LGBTQ friendly and offers services in English. Open until late at 22 PM and the service quality is among the best in Tokyo. Walk-in accepted and no reservations needed.

Services offered by PHC:

  • Tests and treatments for all sexually transmitted infections (STI/STD).
  • HIV rapid-tests and HIV-PCR confirmatory tests.
  • PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis): HIV emergency prophylaxis, is provided with counselling, and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is also available.
  • Emergency contraception and pills, erectile-dysfunction pills are also available.
  • HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccines – Gardasil 9 is also available.

Note:
You can access their website and register their official LINE or email (info[at]ph-clinic.org), and you will be able to ask the doctor for any advice prior or post visit to the clinic.
Please call the clinic on 03-5817-4415 for further details.
Address: 3-39-3 Fuji building 6F,
Yushima, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan (113-0034).

GIFU

Prefectural Database

Here’s a link to a database where you can search for English-speaking clinics/hospitals in Gifu Prefecture by the services they offer and by the region.

qq.pref.gifu.lg.jp

KANAGAWA

The Kanagawa Prefectural Center

The Kanagawa Prefectural Center (Kanagawa Kenmin Center) also has four languages available: Prefecture Website: English, Português, Español, and Thai. If you want another language, get in contact 5 days before a testing day in order to get a translator set up. No appointment required, but testing is only offered to 5 applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.
Test Services are:

  • Syphilis and Hepatitis B
  • HIV testing

Test result(s) are available on your testing day.
For English help, call the Minatomachi Medical Center at 045-453-3673 (Tuesday and Friday: 1pm to 2pm. Contact person: Dr. Sawada). Contact number on the testing day for asking directions to the reception is 070-1288-4116 from 1pm to 3:30pm.
Address: 2-24-2 Tsuruya-cho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa

KYOTO/OSAKA

KYOTO

For residents of Kyoto, the city (and prefecture) provides free, confidential HIV and sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing. Each of the city’s ward offices has testing available and appointments are not required.
However, take note that blood testing only takes place once a week for two hours. When you ask to have the test(s), you will be given a number and told to wait for it to be called. Before the test, a social worker will have a brief interview with you (checking your window time of exposure). If you cannot speak Japanese, you will need to bring someone to interpret as not all centers have English speaking staff available.
Then a medical professional will take your blood. If you want to check for STD/STIs then a urine test is also necessary.
Results are available two weeks later. You will meet a counselor who will go through each of the tests you requested and those test results. If you test positive for anything, the counselor will help arrange a doctor visit to get treatment and medicine.
Below is a list of the city wards, and the days on which they offer testing.

  • Fushimi Ward: 075-611-1161 (Fridays, 09:00 – 10:30 am)
  • Higashiyama Ward: 075-561-1191 (Mondays, 09:00 – 10:30 am)
  • Kamigyo Ward: 075-432-3221 (Tuesdays, 14:30 – 16:00)
  • Kita Ward: 075-432-1181 (Thursdays, 09:00 – 10:30 am)
  • Minami Ward: 075-681-3111 (Tuesdays, 09:00 – 10:30 am)
  • Nishikyo Ward: 075-392-5690 (Tuesdays, 09:00 – 10:30 am)
  • Sakyo Ward: 075-702-1219 (Fridays, 09:00 – 10:30 am)
  • Shimogyo Ward: 075-371-7101 (Wednesdays, 09:00 – 10:30 am)
  • Ukyo Ward: 075-861-2177 (Tuesdays, 09:00 – 10:30 am)
  • Yamashina Ward: 075-592-3050 (Fridays, 09:00 – 10:30 am)

OSAKA

In Osaka, HIV/AIDS Testing HIV (AIDS) Antibody Testing (free, anonymous, no appointment necessary) at the Public and Welfare Health Centers. Syphilis and Chlamydia checks are also offered at the Public and Welfare Health Centers.
※Except National holidays and Year-end/New Year holidays)

HIV (AIDS) Antibody Testing

(Free, anonymous, no appointment necessary)

  • Kita Ward Public Health and Welfare Center
    Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9:30 – 11:00
    Wednesday, 14:00 – 15:30
    TEL 06-6313-9882
  • Chuo Ward Public Health and Welfare Center:
    Tuesday–Thursday, 9:30–11:00
    First Friday of each month, 14:00–15:00 (same-day test)
    TEL 06-6267-9882
    Note: Only HIV (AIDS) test on Friday at Chuo Ward.
  • Yodogawa Ward Public Health and Welfare Center:
    Monday 14:00 – 15:30, Tuesday 9:30 – 11:00
    TEL 06-6308-9882

Venue for HIV Antibody Testing
Advance reservation system: Using the reservation website, you can make a reservation any time starting from 12:00 a.m. six days prior to the test up until noon of the day of the test. Site: http://www.npo-jhc.com/namba-kensa/.
Ichiei Sogo Building (3F) “chot cast Namba” (see map)
06-6632-0632 (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)
06-4256-8681 (Sunday)
1-6-8 Nambanaka, Naniwa-ku (Subway Namba Station, Exit 6)
chot cast Namba TEL 06-6632-0632 (Inquiries can only be made during the times testing is conducted.)


Osaka City Public Health Center, Infectious Diseases Prevention Department
TEL 06-6647-0656 (9:00-17:30 Excludes Sat/Sun, National holidays, Year-end/New Year holidays).

  • Tuesday Night HIV Antibody Testing (Capacity 50 people) (free, anonymous, no appointment necessary)
    Syphilis and Hepatitis B checks are also offered.
    Days: Every Tuesday
    (except National holidays and Year-end/New Year holidays)
    Hours: 18:00-20:00
  • Thursday Night HIV Antibody Testing (Capacity 50 people)
    (free, anonymous, no appointment necessary)
    Syphilis and Hepatitis B checks are also offered.
    Days: Every Thursday
    (except National holidays and Year-end/New Year holidays)
    Hours: 18:00-20:00
  • Saturday Quick HIV (AIDS) Antibody Testing (Capacity 50 people)
    (free, anonymous, no appointment necessary)
    Hepatitis B checks are also offered.
    Days: Every Saturday (except Year-end/New Year holidays)
    Hours: 14:00 – ※Tickets will be given from 13:30
  • Sunday Quick HIV (AIDS) Antibody Testing (Capacity 50 people)
    (free, anonymous, no appointment necessary)
    Hepatitis B checks are offered.
    Days: Every Sunday (except Year-end/New Year holidays)
    Hours: 14:00 – ※Tickets will be given from 13:30

Once again, if you can’t speak Japanese, it’s highly recommended you bring and interpreter or some way to translate with you.

KUMAMOTO

Kumamoto City Public Health Center

At the Kumamoto City Public Health Center (Kumamoto-shi Hokenjo / 熊本市保健所) no appointment is necessary. The Health Center is open weekdays from 9am-12pm and 1pm-5pm. The centers phone number is 096-364-3185 and the address is 1-13-16 Kuhonji. There are other Public Health Centers in Kumamoto but they are only open one morning a week.
Test Services Include:

  • Syphilis and Chlamydia
  • HIV Testing

They will use the same blood sample for all those tests, so be sure to say you want all of them if you do.
Instructions for the process of getting to the office are provided on the Kumamoto JET site here: http://kumamotojet.com/Sexual-Health.php.


STD Testing

There is also STD Testing at Suizenji Hifuka Iin (水前寺皮ふ科医院). According to the Kumamoto JET site, “They see people on a first-come, first-served basis, and are pretty crowded on Saturdays. Unlike other hospitals and clinics, they don’t call people in the waiting room by name. They assign each patient a number when they arrive and then call that number. It will take one week for test results to come back.”
Note: Testing here isn’t free. All the tests listed below cost around 5,000 to 6,000 yen using health insurance. Also, English speaking is limited, but foreigners are welcome.
Test Services Include:
• Herpes
• Gonorrhea
• Genital Warts
• Crabs
• Syphilis
• Chlamydia
• HIV
Address: 熊本市水前寺2-19-3 (Kumamoto-shi Suizenji 2-19-3)
Map: [map link]
Tel: 096-382-4551
Hours: Morning – Monday~Saturday 09:00 – 12:00;
Afternoon – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 14:00 – 18:00

Most HIV testing is free, but that is not always the case. It is recommended to call ahead of time to check if the centers are free HIV testing facilities. If not, generally testing will cost about 4,000-6,000 out of pocket. Very few centers will allow for the use of insurance, and will instead advise most seeking to get tested to pay out of pocket not only because insurance generally doesn’t cover the procedure, but also because if it does it can be recorded for employers if the insurance is through a company or organization.

KAGOSHIMA

Kagoshima City Chuo Health Centre (Hokenjo)

Close to the Korimoto Tram Station (Kamoike 2-chome, 099 224 1111)
Free and anonymous HIV and STI testing is available on Tuesdays at 13:30-15:00 and every second Thursday at 17:30-19:00.
HIV, hepatitus B and C, and chlamydia tests are free. You will need to pay a small fee for syphilis and gonorrhea. (The gonorrhea test is not available on Thursdays.)

Just say “Kensa ni kimashita” (“I came to be tested”) when you reach the reception desk. You will be given a number, directed to fill out a Japanese form (English translation here), and asked to wait outside room #11. When your number is called, a staff person will privately confirm which test(s) you’d like performed and answer any questions you might have about HIV and STIs (in Japanese). Next, you’ll be directed to another window where you’ll slide your form through the window and wait to be called. After they draw your blood, it will be about 20-30 minutes until you have your HIV results. You’ll have to call about a week later for the results of the other tests.

Kagoshima JET Program Sexual Health page

NAGOYA

Angel Life Nagoya

aln.sakura.ne.jp

An organization that supports HIV/AIDS awareness, and also hosted the Nagoya Lesbian and Gay Revolution (NLGR) in June this year. It’s all in Japanese, but it does list some other options for gay bars and restaurants – they’re out there, you’ve just got to search for them.


Hatano Medical Clinic

hatano-mc.com

Located in the Chunichi Building 4F (Sakae), this clinic was recommended by a Stonewaller. The doctor can speak English.

HIV PrEP and nPep

At the moment, only two clinics in Japan have PrEP and nPep available to prescribe. As mentioned previously, the Shirakaba Clinic will give PrEP at rare instances when a person is knowingly exposed to someone with HIV. At with the cost of over 200,000 yen per prescription, it’s a heavy medical cost, but one that will come with better ease of mind.
Primary Care Tokyo is the so-far only clinic to provide nPep. What is nPEP?
“nPEP is the emergency use of antiviral medications to reduce the chances of HIV infection after possible exposure through sex or sharing of injection equipment. This is in contrast to occupational post-exposure prophylaxis, which refers to the use of such medication when exposure has occurred in the healthcare setting. nPEP also differs from PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), which is the daily use of medication to prevent infection prior to exposure.”
Note that only nPEP is available here, and PrEP isn’t.

When Should I Get Tested?

You should consider “the window period” when making an appointment. Most HIV tests measure antibodies; these are produced by anyone who has been infected by HIV, and are the body’s way to try and fight against the infection. Note though that it takes time for the antibodies to show up in sufficient numbers to get seen properly for a test.
At about eight weeks (about 56 days) post-exposure, most people develop antibodies that standard HIV tests can detect. Although there is a chance that some people will take longer to develop antibodies. The World Health Organization recommends 90 days following your last sexual activity that was unprotected.
Basically, if you had unprotected sex with a person who has HIV or whose HIV status is unknown, you would need to wait 90 days to ensure an accurate result. For STD/STIs you would need to wait one to two weeks, but 4 to 6 weeks for Chlamydia and Syphilis. You would also need to take another test after those three months have passed if the first test occurred during your window period.
It’s important to note that unlike STD/STIs, HIV will perhaps only give flu like symptoms for the first few weeks after exposure, and then nothing for years later. It’s important to get tested in order to begin treatment as early as possible. Don’t assume that a lack of symptoms means a lack of HIV.


Japanese for Sexual Health Testing

If you should find an HIV center that doesn’t speak English, here are some general Japanese words to help you out with getting tested for the right things.
The word for STDs is seibyō, and most public health centers (hokenjo) are where you can get tested. If you are going to a urologist or OBGYN, you will need to bring your insurance card (hokenshou) even if your tests are not covered. From there you would need a list of your symptoms (shoujou) in Japanese.
Symptoms for STD/STI’s Include:

I have a fever. 熱がある netsu ga aru
I have pain when I urinate. 排尿時に痛みを感じる hainyouji ni itami wo kanjiru
My lower abdomen hurts. 下腹部が痛いです。 Kafukubu ga itai desu.
My genitals hurt. 陰部が痛いです。 Inbu ga itai desu.
My genitals are itchy. 陰部がかゆいです。 Inbu ga kayui desu.
I feel pain during sexual intercourse. 性交痛があります。 Seikoutsuu ga arimasu.

In order to get an HIV test, you need to say this phrase:

I would like to get the HIV test.
HIV検査を受けたいです。
(HIV kensa o uketai desu.)

If you wish to have another test or more, you can replace HIV with these other STD/STI words instead:

  • Chlamydia; クラミジア; kuramijia
  • Gonorrhea; 淋病; rinbyou
  • Herpes; ヘルペス; herupesu
  • Syphilis; 梅毒; baidoku

Usually, for STD/STIs doctors will use a urine analysis (尿検査 nyou kensa) and for women perhaps a pap smear (子宮頸がん検査 shikyukeigan kensa).

Here are other common questions you might have for the receptionist:

How much will the tests cost?
検査はいくらですか?
Kensa wa ikura desu ka?

How much is it all together?
全部でいくらですか?
Zenbu wa ikura desu ka?

When you ask this (or when you say what tests you would like), the clinic will probably explain that testing methods vary by STD. The following are the different tests given:

  • Blood Test; 血液検査; ketsueki-kensa
  • Urine Test; 尿検査; nyou-kensa
  • “Discharge Test”; 分泌物検査; bunpibutsu-kensa

Test Results:

  • Negative; 陰性 ; insei
  • Positive; 陽性; yousei
  • False Positive; 偽陽性; giyousei

Here are some questions you can ask after you get the test results:

Am I safe?
わたしは大丈夫でしょうか。
Watashi wa daijoubu deshou ka?

Can I have a copy of my results?
結果のコピー(写し)をもらえますか。
Kekka no copii o moraemasu ka?

What should I do next?
これからわたしは何をすればいいですか。
Kore kara watashi wa nani o sureba ii desu ka?

What are your recommendations?
先生は何をすすめますか。
Sensei wa nani wo susumemasu ka?

If you can bring a trusted person who can translate for you, that would be best in order to get the most accurate information about your status. When someone is unavailable, bring a translation device such as an electronic dictionary or your cell phone with a translation app.

Support for HIV

The Japan HIV Center is a popular NPO that helps support those with HIV. According to their mission statement:

“We provide support not only to people with HIV/AIDS, but also to their families and friends, people with anxiety related to fear of infection, and generally anyone suffering from this disease. We have opened Living Centers with accommodation in Tokyo and in Osaka where people with HIV/AIDS can gather and share their experiences.”

If you or someone you know of someone who is HIV positive, you can call the English helpline to get more information at 03-5259-0256 (Sat. 12:00-15:00). The helpline is centered in Tokyo, but information about Osaka and other national news is available at http://www.npo-jhc.com/english.htm. You can also email them at info@npo-jhc.com.

Osaka also has AIDS consultation and counseling at Public Health and Welfare Center at the local wards Monday to Friday 9:00 – 17:30 (except National holidays and Year-end/New Year holidays).

  • Kita Ward Public Health and Welfare Center
    Days: First and Third Wednesday
    Hours: 14:00 – 16:00
    TEL 06-6313-9968
  • Chuo Ward Public Health and Welfare Center
    Days: Second and Fourth Friday
    Hours: 09:30 – 11:30
    TEL 06-6267-9968
  • AIDS telephone consultation in foreign languages
    Days: Tuesday- English, Spanish, Portuegese
    Wednesday-Thai
    Thursday- English, Tagalog
    Hours: 16:00 – 20:00 (except Year-end/New Year holidays)
    Inquiries: NPO “Charm” TEL 06-6354-5901
  • Inquiries and consultation about AIDS (trio-phone)
    English, Chinese, Korean
    Days: Mon – Fri
    Hours: 09:00 – 17:30
    TEL 06-6647-1019
    (Except national holidays, and December 29–January 3)

OBGYN Services

Most OBGYN clinics in Japan usually offer standard procedures, such as pap smears, along with birth control pills. OBGYNs can also have testing for HIV/AIDS along with STD/STIs. However, the odds of a Japanese clinic having I.U.Ds or birth control patches, injections, or etc, will be slim to none. In order to get to the most English and friendly places available, here is a guide for you to use with locations of OBGYNs in Japan.


Where is English Available?

TOKYO

Hiroo Parkside Ladies Clinic

Hiroo Parkside Ladies Clinic has a wide range of services. STD/STI and HIVTesting, pap smears, pre-natal, breast exams, and even hormone testing. Birth control pills are available as well for up to three months. Staff are friendly and English services are available both over the phone and in person.


Primary Care Tokyo

Primary Care Tokyo is an English friendly medical practice that is one of the rare places to not only give out birth control but also the morning after pill. Staff are English friendly as well as Dr. Joe Kurosu. Some services are covered under insurance, but birth control and the morning after pill may not be.


Toho Clinic

Although Toho Clinic’s is a clinic that provides a focus on pregnancy, but abortions are provided as well. Call head to see if the staff would have an English translator available before you make an appointment. It’s also one of the rare sights where both birth control as well as the morning after pill are available. On top of that, this clinic has Mirena, the vaginal ring, for women. The clinic has an English-speaking gynecologist who has experience working with the Western patients.


The Oak Clinic

The Oak Clinic has both an English friendly website as well as English speaking staff. It’s one of the few clinics with birth control pills available for up for 6 months and like Toho also has a vaginal ring option with an emergency morning after pill. However, all of these will need to be paid out of pocket.

KYOTO/OSAKA

Nishikawa Clinic

Although it’s website focuses mainly on mother’s and babies, the Nishikawa Clinic in Kyoto does have English speaking gynecologists on staff. Pregnancy testing, cancer screening, and the birth control pill are available there as well as standard tests.


Kisaki Clinic

The Kisaki Clinic in Osaka doesn’t just speak English, but also Chinese and Korean. Its services range from cancer screenings to birth control. But also, Kisaki is one of the very, very few places in Japan that has the I.U.D. available. Although, as an out-of-pocket expense it is quite pricey, at 45,000 yen, the option is available.

HOKKAIDO

Kin-ikyo Sapporo Hospital

At Kin-ikyo Sapporo Hospital, Dr. Kaori Nagashima is available only the morning of Mondays and Thursdays. For Gynecology the morning of Tuesdays and the first, the third and the fifth of Saturdays. You can make an appointment in advance for the first visit. The clinic opens 8:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. for morning consultation.
Address: 1-9-22, Kikusui4, Shiroishi-ku, Sapporo Map
Phone: 011-811-2246

KYUSHU

Fukuoka Sanno Hospital

Fukuoka Sanno Hospital has both English and Chinese language services available with a huge gynecology department. Birth control and cancer screenings are there along with an emphasis on infertility treatments. For more information about testing and treatments call the phone line 8192-407-1133.


Japanese for an OBGYN Visit

Before you go to your doctor, here are some helpful Japanese phrases that can help you when you visit.

Firstly, if you want to explain your symptoms (症状 shoujou), here is a guide to help you:

My lower abdomen hurts. 下腹部が痛いです。 Kafukubu ga itai desu.
I feel bloated. おなかが張っています。 Onaka ga hatteimasu.
I have severe menstrual pains. 生理痛がひどいです。 Seiritsuu ga hidoi desu.
Menstrual bleeding is heavy/light. 生理の出血が多い/少ないです。 Seiri no shukketsu ga (ooi/sukunai) desu.
I have heavy vaginal discharge. おりものの量が多いです Orimono no ryou ga ooi desu.
My vaginal discharge is brown/whitish. おりものの色が(茶色い・白っぽい)です。 Orimono no iro ga (chairoi/shiroppoi)desu.
I have irregular menstrual bleeding. 不正出血があります。 Fusei shukketsu ga arimasu.
My genitals hurt. 陰部が痛いです。 Inbu ga itai desu.
My genitals are itchy. 陰部がかゆいです。 Inbu ga kayui desu.
I feel pain during sexual intercourse. 性交痛があります。 Seikoutsuu ga arimasu.
I am anemic. 貧血があります 。 Hinketsu ga arimasu.
I have pain while urinating. 排尿痛があります。 Hainyoutsuu ga arimasu.
There is blood in my urine. 尿に血が混じっています。 Nyou ni chi ga majitteimasu.

Medical Interview Vocab

Typically, you’ll be given a form to fill out or you’ll go through a medical interview (問診 monshin) with your doctor. Here’s a guide for that as well:

How many times have you been pregnant? これまで何回妊娠したことがありますか Koremade nankai ninshinsitakotoga arimasuka?
Please tell me how many times you have given birth. これまでの分娩回数を教えてください Koremade no bunben kaisuu wo oshietekudasai
Vaginal delivery 経膣分娩 Keichitsu bunben
Caesarian section, C-section 帝王切開 Teiou sekkai
Menopausal age 閉経年齢 Heikei nenrei
Menstrual cycle 月経の周期 Gekkei no shuuki
Menstrual period 月経の期間 Gekkei no kikan
Is your menstrual cycle regular/irregular? 月経は規則的・不規則ですか? Gekkei ha (kisokuteki/fukisokuteki) desu ka?
When was your last period? 最終月経はいつですか? Saishuu gekkei ha itsu desu ka?
Are you pregnant? 現在妊娠していますか? Genzai ninshin shiteimasu ka?
Due date 分娩予定日 Bunben yoteibi
How many weeks pregnant are you? 現在の妊娠週数は? Genzai no ninshin shuusuu ha?

Common Medical Examinations

Here’s a list of common examinations (検査 kensa):

Pregnancy test 妊娠検査 Ninshin kensa
STD/STI test 性病検査 Seibyou kensa
Prenatal check-ups 妊婦定期健診 Ninshin teiki kenshin
Blood pressure measurement 血圧測定 Ketsuatsu sokutei
Urinalysis 尿検査 Nyou kensa
Non-stress test ノンストレステスト(”モニター”) Nonsutoresu tesuto (“monita-“)
Pap test, pap smear 子宮頸がん検査 Shikyukeigan Kensa

Common Illnesses

A list of common illnesses (病気 byouki) for women.

Endometriosis 子宮内膜症 Shikyuunaimakushou
Cervical cancer 子宮頸がん Shikyuukeigan
Cystitis, inflammation of the bladder 膀胱炎 Boukouen
Urinary Tract Infection 尿路感染症 Nyourokansensyou
Fibroid, uterine myoma 子宮筋腫 Shikyuu kinshu
Mastitis, mammary gland infection 乳腺炎 Nyuusen’en
Ovarian tumor 卵巣腫瘍 Ransou shuyou
Hepatitis B B型肝炎 B-gata kan’en
Chlamydia クラミジア Kuramijia
Gonorrhea 淋病 Rinbyou
Condyloma 尖圭コンジローマ Senkei konjirooma
Human immunodeficiency virus HIV
Toxoplasmosis トキソプラズマ症 Tokisopurazumashou
Genital herpes 性器ヘルペス Seiki herupesu
Vaginal yeast infection カンジダ膣炎 Kanjida Chitsuen
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) 細菌性膣炎 Saikinsei Chitsuen
Hypomenorrhea, Extremely light periods 過小月経 Kashou Gekkei
Hypermenorrhea, Extremely heavy periods 過多月経 Kata Gekkei
Dysmenorrhea, Extremely painful periods 月経困難症 Gekkei Kon’nanshou
Amenorrhea, Absent periods 無月経 Mugekkei

Hopefully these helpful Japanese guides will be able to assist anyone who can’t see an OBGYN in a big city area with English services. If you can bring an interpreter, though, it is highly recommended, as medical translations are often difficult.


History of HIV/AIDS in Japan

The first reported case of AIDS in Japan was in 1983. According to this article, because of the early cases of HIV were hemophiliacs, and because the mass media focused on HIV positive homosexuals in the U.S., there were myths that the Japanese could not contract this disease. Many people thought it was a foreign disease, or one that only certain individuals like homosexuals and prostitutes could get and that you could only catch it in another country. These myths continue today. Between 1985 and 1999, 70 percent of Japanese men and women who contracted the disease did so in Japan. Many people who have the virus do not get tested because they do not believe that they are at risk.

Among reported AIDS cases in 2010, 436 cases were Japanese and 33 cases were non-Japanese. In terms of transmission route, 224 cases were homosexual contact and 115 cases heterosexual contact, making a total of 72 percent through sexual transmission. Only four cases were drug-related, and 91 cases were unknown. 49 percent of them were 35-49 year-old but there is no specific trend in the female cases.

In 2013, 22,971 people had been reported to have contracted the HIV virus in Japan. Half were infected through homosexual contact. 1,077 new HIV infections and 469 new AIDS patients were reported, the second highest number of new infections in Japan.


Personal Experiences

“I can’t say that getting tested was fun or a cultural experience because it’s always nerve wrecking. But, I really liked the service the Shinjuku health center provided.

I knew they offered service in English, and as soon as I arrived somebody asked me if I would like to be counseled in English. A few minutes later a lady who spoke flawless English met me in a private room and gave me a small talk on STDs. She asked a few questions about my sexual habits and then explained the procedures. One of the things that I was glad to hear was an explanation of how my health insurance would work in case I tested positive for anything.

In the end I got tested for everything they offer, which is chlamydia, syphilis and HIV. I had to give a urine and blood sample, and the person who spoke English stayed with me the whole time to make sure I understood the rest of the staff and what was happening.

I was then told to go back in one week to pick up my results. The same lady was there to translate them, and I was happy to hear that it all came out negative.

Everything was free and anonymous. I was given a number to identify my samples, and asked to provide a four-letter combination in case there was further need for confirmation. Otherwise, nobody ever asked me for my name, nationality, legal status in Japan or anything that could identify me in any way.

You can get these services at a private clinic, especially if you need the results faster, but there’s usually a fee involved. I was really happy to go for a confidential and free test in Shinjuku.” -Anonymous

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