A sexual health clinic or a genitourinary medicine clinic (GUM) offers a number of services. If you would like to be tested or treated for an STI or sexually transmitted infection, you can go to a GUM clinic. You can also be tested for HIV at a GUM clinic. Most of these clinics also offer the rapid HIV tests which produces the results in about 30 minutes. If you are tested positive for HIV, you can go to a GUM Clinic for counseling.
If you have been exposed to HIV, PEP is a medication that can prevent you from developing HIV. This medication is offered by GUM clinics as well as other vaccination such as the hepatitis B vaccination. At a GUM clinic, you can be tested for syphilis, genital herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Your genitals, mouth, skin or anus might be examined or you might have to submit a urine or blood sample for further examination. A swap from the urethra, throat, rectum, vagina or cervix might also be taken for further examination.
Apart from testing and treating sexually transmitted infections, a GUM clinic also offers advice on sexual health and provides free condoms in its mission to promote safe sex. All forms of contraception can be found at a sexual health clinic including the morning after pill which is commonly known as the emergency contraction.
People who have been sexually assaulted and are need of help and advice can turn to a GUM clinic for help. If you are considering an abortion and need advice, a GUM clinic will be able to supply you with sufficient information so that you can make an informed decision.
It does not matter how old you are, as long as you are sexually active, you can go to a sexual health clinic for advice and support. Gay men, lesbians, young people, and older people can attend the sessions held at GUM clinics. You might need to make an appointment at some clinics while others allow you to just drop in and take part in the sessions. Most of the services of a GUM clinic are free. The results of any test are confidential.