Sexual health clinics or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics are free for everyone to access. They support people with:
- Testing and treatment for seuxally transmitted infections (STIs)
- Free contraception and advice about different contraception methods
- Emergency contraception
- Free condoms
- Advice about all aspects of sexual health
Some sexual health clinics may also offer other services, including:
- Pregnancy testing
- Abortion advice
- Support after sexual assault
- HIV protection medication (PEP)
- Hepatitis A and B vaccinations
Anyone, regardless of gender, age, or whether or not they have symptoms, can visit a sexual health clinic.
If you are under 16, your visit will remain confidential, and the clinic won’t tell your parents or carers unless there’s a concern about your safety. If they do need to share any information with other healthcare services, they will discuss it with you first.
Some clinics will ask you to book an appointment in advance. Some clinics also offer drop-in services, so an appointment might not be needed, but it's a good idea to call ahead and confirm.
You can find your nearest clinic here.
It’s normal to feel nervous or embarrassed when visiting a clinic, but the staff are trained to handle all sexual health concerns without judgment. They will explain each part of the process and make sure you feel comfortable throughout.
Contact details
When visiting a sexual health clinic, you'll be asked for your name and contact details. You don’t have to use your real name if you prefer, and any personal information will remain confidential. Your GP won’t be notified about your visit without your permission.
If you have tests and the results are not available during your appointment, the clinic will need to contact you later, so it's important to provide accurate contact details. The clinic will also ask how you prefer to receive your results, which could be by phone, text, or in an unmarked letter.
During your appointment
You will see a doctor or a nurse, who will ask you about your medical and sexual history.
Be prepared to answer questions about your sex life, including:
- when you last had sex
- whether you've had unprotected sex
- whether you have any symptoms
- why you think you might have an infection
You can ask to see a female or male doctor or nurse if you prefer, but you might have to wait longer than usual for one to become available.
The doctor or nurse will recommend the tests they think you need and will explain why. If you’re unsure about any part of the process, don’t hesitate to ask them to clarify. You can also let them know if you’d prefer a woman or man to perform the test or if you'd like someone else (like a chaperone) to be with you. This could be a friend, another nurse, or a trained staff member.
Possible tests include:
- Urine (wee) sample
- Blood sample
- Urethral swab (the part of your body you wee through)
- Genital examination
- Vaginal swabs (which you can often do yourself)
Testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea typically requires either a urine sample, or a self-collected swab for people with vaginas.
HIV testing requires a blood sample, while syphilis testing involves both a blood sample and possibly a swab if there are any sores.
Herpes testing is usually only done if there are visible sores, and a swab will be taken from the sore, which may cause brief discomfort.
For some tests, you may receive results (and treatment, if needed) on the same day. For others, results might take a week or two, in which case the clinic will ask you how you’d like to receive them.
If your results show a positive STI, you will need to return to the clinic to discuss the next steps and receive treatment.
Many STIs can be cured with antibiotics. Some, such as HIV, don’t have a cure but can be managed with available treatments. The clinic can provide advice and connect you with a counsellor if needed.
If you test positive, it’s important to inform your sexual partners so they can be tested and treated as well. If you’re uncomfortable doing this yourself, the clinic can help you through a process called partner notification, ensuring your identity remains confidential.
