What sexual health services are available on the NHS?
What is a sexual health or genito-urinary (GUM) clinic?
Sexual health clinics provide these services:
- Being tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV
- Advice on STIs and how to protect yourself from them
- All types of contraception, including emergency contraception
- Pregnancy (or if you think you are pregnant)
- Termination of pregnancy
- Sexual assault and rape.
Sexual health clinics may also be called genitourinary medicine (GUM) or sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.
What happens at a sexual health clinic?
If you visit a sexual health service for the first time, you will be asked to fill in a form with your name and contact details.
As part of your consultation, you may be asked some personal questions, such as your medical and sexual history, what methods of contraception you use, and other questions about your sex life and sexual partners.
Sexual transmitted infections (STIs)
If you need to be tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), you may need to provide a blood or urine sample. Depending on what the problem is some women may also need to have a vaginal examination, which is similar to cervical screening, and men may need to have some samples taken from their penis.
Sexual assault and rape service
If you have been sexually assaulted, you will be offered support. The clinic can also help you report the assault to the police, if you choose to.
Termination of pregnancy
Sexual health clinics can arrange one.
Contraception and pregnancy services
A sexual health clinic can also give you advice on contraception, and free contraceptives. They are sometimes called family planning, GUM, or sexual and reproductive health clinics.
Confidentiality
All services are completely confidential.
This means that your personal details and any information about the tests or treatments you have received will not be shared with anyone outside the sexual health service without your permission. This includes your GP.
If you are between the ages of 13 and 16, your details will still be treated confidentially, and nobody in your household will be contacted without your permission. However, staff may encourage you to talk to your parents, guardian or another trusted adult.
Summary
We have described what sexual health services are available on the NHS. We hope it has helped you.
Last Reviewed on 8 March 2024