What are G.U.M. clinics?
Your local G.U.M. clinic (Genito-Urinary Medicine) is an N.H.S. run clinic for all aspects of sexual health.
You can find details of your nearest clinic in the phone book under
genito-urinary clinic, sexually
transmitted diseases (S.T.D.) or venereal diseases (V.D.). You
may also find your nearest clinic by visiting the following website http://www.ruthinking.co.uk/default.aspx. However, we are not liable or in any way responsible
for the content or suitability of any external sites that you reach
from within this site.
At the clinic you will get free,
confidential advice and treatment. You can go to a clinic anywhere in the country,
it doesn’t have to be your local one and you don’t have to
be referred by your doctor. When phoning up to make an appointment make
sure you state if you would prefer to see a male or a female doctor.
Will people know I have been?
The law guarantees your confidentiality. Your G.U.M.
clinic records cannot be shown to your doctor or insurance companies.
However, if you go to your doctor first and you’re referred in
writing to the clinic, the clinic will then send a letter to your doctor
to say what treatment you have had. These details will then go on your
doctor’s records causing possible future problems, if one day you
apply for a mortgage or life insurance. So if you think you may have
a S.T.D. it is advisable to go to the clinic first and not to your doctor.
What else can I get from visiting a G.U.M. clinic?
Free at most G.U.M. clinics you should be able to
get, information and advice about having a healthy sex life, a full
range of tests for S.T.D.’s and the relevant treatment. You can
also pick up strong condoms and leaflets for free.
Most of the clinics have health advisers who regularly
experience a wide range of problems and can spend more time with you
than a doctor. They won’t tell you what to do, but talk you through
your choices. You can talk to the health adviser about any aspects of
sexual health, such as S.T.D.’s, relationships, how to tell a partner
or past partner you have an infection, loss of sex drive or problems
with erections.
You can talk to an adviser over the phone or by appointment.
First visit
When attending a clinic for the first time be sure
to leave at least 2 hours. You will visit the doctor for a chat and
have a few simple tests, some test results will be available while you
are in the clinic. After you have had the tests you will again see the
doctor who will discuss any results with you and you may need to arrange
a further appointment. Try to avoid urinating for at least 4 hours before
your visit, as a urine sample will be taken.
Be warned you will be asked very personal questions
for example:
- When did you last have sex?
- Was it a regular or casual partner?
- How many sexual partners have you had?
- Have you always practiced safe sex?
Though these questions may be embarrassing you should
always give honest answers, the doctors and advisers are not there to
judge you, just to help and advise.
Remember as well, that sexual health problems is
what the clinic is there for and they are trained professionals who
are used to all kinds of situations.
Related topics
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
|
