There are 2 main types of sexual health services; medical services and youth support services. Medical based services would include GPs, Family Planning Services and GUM clinics. Family planning services sometimes provide far more than contraception and some clinics and GPs offer the following:
- pregnancy testing
- help and advice on an unplanned pregnancy, which can include abortion referral, or referral for ante-natal care if the decision is made to continue with the pregnancy.
- safer sex advice – clinics and some GPs provide free condoms and lubricant.
- advice on sexual problems
- cervical smears
- checks for sexually transmitted infections
- advice on breast awareness
- pre-pregnancy advice
- infertility advice
Male or female, young or old, anyone can access sexual health services – including under 16s. Everything is confidential. This means that any information you give will not be shared without your permission. Only in extreme circumstances can information be passed on without your permission. If you have any concerns about who will see your medical records, talk to your GP, or clinic staff.
Unless urgent (i.e, emergency contraception), you would normally have to make an appointment to go to a family planning clinic or GP. Some services have Drop-in times.
All advice, information and treatment for sexual health is free. If you go to your GP you may have to pay a prescription charge.
A GUM clinic (sometimes known as special clinics, VD Clinics or Sex Clinics) mainly provide information, advice, testing and treatments for STIs (sexually transmitted infections).
Some services hold separate sessions for men, women, young people, and gay men. If you choose to go to a GUM clinic, you can go to any in the country. You do not need a referral from your GP.
Like family planning services, there are no restrictions in accessing the service, under 16’s can access it and receive a confidential service, the same as anyone else.
GUM clinics offer a full range of tests, treatments and advice on all infections. If you agree, they can also help to confidentially trace previous sexual partners who may need treatment - this is called partner notification. In addition to tests and treatments for infection there may be other services available such as:
- free condoms and lubricant
- special sessions for people who have been sexually assaulted
- psychosexual counselling
- hepatitis A & B vaccination
What happens at a sexual health service?
Exactly what happens can vary depending on where you go. If you are a new patient at a GUM, sexual health or family planning clinic, you will be asked to fill in a registration form with details of your name and address. This information will be kept confidential. You will then see a doctor, nurse or health adviser.
The check-up
The doctor, nurse or health adviser will talk to you about your concerns. They will need to ask you questions about your sex life and if you are concerned about STIs they will ask about any signs and/or symptoms that you have. You might feel embarrassed, but be honest, as these questions help the clinic to do the correct tests. If you are not sure why the questions are being asked – just say so. Staff deal with lots of people and different sexual health concerns every day – don’t worry about shocking them! You may need to have some tests if you are worried you have an STI. These usually involve an examination and the testing of some samples. In both men and women this may mean:
- an examination of your genitals, mouth, anus and skin to look for any obvious signs of infection
- testing a sample of your urine
- having blood taken (if you are being tested for syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis A, B and C)
- taking swabs from the urethra (tube where you urinate) and any sores and blisters
In women, the tests might also include:
- taking swabs from the vagina and cervix (entrance to the womb)
- having an internal examination
There are many myths about how swabs are done. A swab looks like a cotton bud, but is smaller and rounded. The swab is wiped over parts of the body that could be infected and easily picks up samples of discharge and cells. It only takes a few seconds and is not usually painful, though it may be uncomfortable for a moment. You will not automatically be tested for all infections. Ask the doctor or nurse which tests they are planning to do, and talk to them about anything you are not sure about. All tests are optional and should only be done with your permission. Sometimes it is too soon to do some of the tests and you may be given another appointment for a later date.
The test results
You may get some of the test results and any necessary treatment, such as antibiotics, straightaway. Some samples have to be sent away to a laboratory so the results take longer to come back. The service that you are attending will arrange with you how you will get these results to maintain your confidentiality.
Telling your partner
If you have an STI then it is very important that your current sexual partner and any other recent partners are also offered testing and treatment. The staff at the clinic or doctor’s surgery can discuss with you how you might tell your partner(s). If you feel that this will be too difficult, GUM clinics can give you a ‘contact slip’ to send to your partner(s) or, with your permission, the clinic can do this for you. The slip explains to the person that they may have been exposed to an STI and suggests that they go for a check-up. It does not have your name on it, so your confidentiality is protected. This is called partner notification. It’s strongly advised you do tell your partner(s) but it is not compulsory.
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