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Sexual health clinics
Free and non-judgemental sexual health tests and treatment.
Free and confidential sexual health check ups are available in GUM (sexual health) clinics. If you think you might have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), then make an appointment in a GUM clinic or with your doctor ASAP. If you are pregnant, this is even more important.
What happens when you visit a GUM clinic:
You should call ahead to make an appointment. You don’t need a doctor’s letter or referral and your results will be confidential. Only in the case of the doctor thinking you or others are in serious danger, will information about your visit be passed on and even then they should discuss the issue with you first. Some GUM clinics require you to attend with a parent or guardian if you are under the age of 16, so when making an appointment it might be a good idea to check clinic policy, if you would prefer to be seen alone.
- During the check up a medical professional will ask about your personal and sexual history. They might also take a blood sample or urine test. Some sexually transmitted infections take longer than others to test for. Ask in the clinic about when you will receive the test results.
- Most tests and treatments for sexually transmitted infections are simple and painless.
- Treatment in GUM clinics is confidential, free and non-judgemental (so you won’t need to feel embarrassed).
- Remember that having unprotected sex even ONCE can put you at risk of getting an STI.
- Medicine is supplied directly from the GUM clinic so you won’t have to deal with your doctor or chemist if you don’t want to.
Finding your nearest GUM clinic: The Irish Family Planning Assocation website has a list of GUM clinics nationwide.
What to do after visiting a GUM clinic:
- Visiting a GUM clinic can be a nerve-wrecking experience and that's before you start worrying about the results and where you go from there! However, it's important that you think about what to do if you find out that you or your partner has a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
- If you find out that you have an STI then it's important to tell your boyfriend or girlfriend and encourage then to go for tests as well. Ideally, ask your partner to visit the GUM clinic with you in the first place.
- Get treated- once you know you have an STI you must (and your partner, if you have one) follow the treatment guidelines and go for further appointments to make sure the infection clears up completely.
- If you know that you have an STI it's important to tell ex- partners about it. You'll be doing them a big favour by letting them know that they might also have a STI. Send them an email, write a letter, phone or arrange to meet up with them.
- You can also ask the GUM clinic if it has a notifying service, this would mean that you give them your exes contact details and the clinic gets in touch with them for you.
- Relationship survival: If one or both of you have an STI, try to avoid blaming each other. It doesn't mean that one of you cheated- you can have an STI for months without realising it.
See the help section for supportive information and contacts details of support organisations.
