Frequently asked questions

Concerned about your sexual health? Our experienced teams in our sexual health clinics are waiting to support you but, in the meantime, here are answers to some commonly asked questions.

If there isn’t an answer to your question, please either reserve a time slot to visit us at The Ambrose King Centre or Barts Sexual Health Centre, walk-in to one of our clinics at the Ambrose King Centre or Barts Sexual Health Centre or just get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

‘True or false?’ You can also download an information factsheet that addresses some common misconceptions about sexual health.

• Can I see a doctor of the same sex?

  Yes, just let our receptionist know when you are booking in that you would prefer to be seen by a doctor of the same sex as yourself. We will try to accommodate your request depending on the clinic staffing that day.

• Do I have to pay for treatment?

  No, treatment for sexually transmitted infections and contraception (including condoms) are provided free of charge at our centres.

• Is your service confidential?

  Yes, your records are confidential. If we ever need to discuss your care with anyone else, we would always try to ensure you were aware of this first and gain your consent.

• What if I'm under 16?

  You can still be seen if you are under the age of 16. If you test positive for an infection we would still keep this information confidential. We would only ever discuss your care with another practitioner if we were worried about you. If this were to happen we would always try to let you know first.

• What will I be tested for and how?

  Women – if you’re concerned you may have a sexually transmitted infection, we will test for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV (unless you decline). Women with certain symptoms may also be offered testing for candida (thrush), trichomonas (TV) and bacterial vaginosis (BV). You may be required to give a blood sample (for syphilis and HIV) and sometimes just a self taken swab (small cotton bud) from the vagina or a urine sample. However, we may also require a speculum to be passed into the vagina so that we can take swabs from the neck of your womb/cervix. Swabs from your bottom or throat may also be required. Men - if you’re concerned you may have a sexually transmitted infection, we will test for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, non-specific urethritis (NSU), syphilis and HIV (unless you decline). These tests usually require swabs being taken from inside the penis (and your bottom or throat if required), a urine sample and a blood sample (for syphilis and HIV).

• What is a GUM clinic?

  GUM stands for Genitourinary Medicine. GUM is the name for a clinic where you can be tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

• Who should go for an STI test?

  Anybody who has had unprotected sex and wants to make sure they don’t have a sexually transmitted infection. Even if you feel fine, you could still carry an infection so it is important to have regular check-ups.

• Can I have a check-up when I have my period?

  Yes.

• What happens when I come to your clinic?

  You can walk-in during our opening hours - no appointment is necessary. You will be asked to complete a confidential form that tells us the reason for your visit. You will be offered the next time slot available (usually less than 90 minutes later) unless you have a problem that requires emergency attention, in which case you will be seen straight away. We anticipate that you will be called around this slot time, so if you want, you can leave the clinic and return at the specified time. We aim to call you within 45 minutes of this time, and will inform you if we are running late. To save yourself time, you can also obtain a time-slot by texting the clinic from 7pm the day before you want to come. Find out more about what to expect when visiting the Ambrose King Centre or visiting Barts Sexual Health Centre.

• What personal details do I have to give you?

  You will be asked for your name, date of birth, address, and contact details such as a mobile phone number and/or an email address. We also need at least part of your postcode, this is to make sure the clinic is funded for the care it provides. Your personal information will not be given to anyone outside of the clinic.

• Can you help people with language difficulties?

  We can arrange for an interpreter to be available for people whose first language is not English.

• How much time should I allow?

  Clinic visit times can vary depending on the reason you are attending. The majority of patients’ visits are completed in less than two hours. Please be aware that when you are waiting to be seen, it may appear that others who arrive after you, are called before you. We often have specialist clinics running at the same time as the walk-in service so patients with appointments for these clinics may arrive after you.

• Who will I see?

  When you arrive, our receptionist will ask you to complete a registration form to help us determine which specialist is best for your needs. You’ll then be given a time slot and told which area to wait in. You may see a doctor, nurse, sexual health adviser or a sexual health technician during your visit. All our staff are qualified experts in sexual health matters so you are in very safe hands.

• What sorts of questions will I be asked?

  You will be asked some questions to help us get a good idea about your current health and you will also be asked about any sex you may have had recently or in the past. Examples of questions may include: • What are you concerned about? • How many people have you had sex with recently and were they male or female (or both)? • What type of sex was it (e.g. vaginal/anal/oral etc)? • Have you ever had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) before? • Are you on any medication? • If you are female, you may be asked when the first day of your last period was Please note, answering truthfully is important. It helps us ensure you are getting the right tests, as the tests you have will be based on your answers. If you are not sure why you are being asked the questions, just ask and we will be happy to explain.

• Are the tests painful?

  The tests should not be painful but they can sometimes be a little uncomfortable. If you are worried, please mention it to the doctor or nurse who will be happy to support you through the tests.

• How do I get my results?

  Some provisional results (gonorrhoea, NSU, bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas and thrush) may be available at the end of your consultation. All remaining results will be texted (unless specified otherwise) to you within seven days.

• My results were positive – what happens now?

  If your results are positive you will see somebody to talk about them – this is most likely to be a doctor, nurse or health adviser. They will talk to you about the nature of the infection and what sort of treatment they advise. This is free of charge. A health adviser will also discuss the importance of contacting your sexual partners – this is essential to stop the spread of infections. You can do this by yourself, or if you prefer, a health adviser can do this for you. You may want to see the sexual health adviser again for further support. Just let us know and we can arrange this.

• Will you inform my GP?

  We do not routinely inform your GP. However, if she/he has formally referred you to us, we may respond in writing.

• I think I’ve got an STI, but I’m too embarrassed to have it checked out. And I don’t want my parents to know. What can I do?

  It’s important that you come in for a check up if you are worried about any STI. Our service is confidential so we would not discuss any issues with your parents. If you disclose a risk we are worried about we may discuss this with other confidential services but we would always talk to you about this first where possible.

• I’ve had unprotected sex, and now I’m worried I might be pregnant. Can you give me the morning after pill?

  Yes, the morning after pill, also known as emergency contraception, is available at the clinic. There are 3 types available: Levonelle which can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, Ella One which can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex and the most effective which is a coil that can be fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex. With all these methods, the sooner you take them after you’ve had unprotected sex, the more effective they are. You can also access emergency contraception from many pharmacies, GPs and NHS walk-in centres.

• I’ve just found out that my ex is HIV positive - what are the chances that I will be too?

  Finding out an ex partner is HIV positive can be very distressing. We have health advisers in the clinic who can help you with any concerns you may have and they will work with you to identify possible risk and can organise a test if you want one.

• I’m gay and my new partner doesn’t want to use condoms, what’s your advice?

  It’s important that any sexual relationship, whether casual or long term, is built on mutual respect for each other. If you wish to use condoms it is important that your partner respects this. If you both decide to stop using condoms, then regular sexual health screens would help to ensure that any risk of infection is minimised. We have health advisers in the clinic who can work with you to negotiate condom use in your relationship.

• My girlfriend says that she’s a virgin – is there a test you can do to check this out?

  No, there is no test that can check if someone is a virgin or not. The hymen (the skin that breaks and can cause bleeding when you first have sex) can be torn very easily throughout a young women's life. If a women does not bleed when she first has sex this does not mean she has had sex previously. This is a myth.

• I work in the sex industry – would you report me to the police?

  No, our service and your notes are confidential. We would not report your work in the sex industry. It is very important for women and men working in the sex and entertainment industry to have regular sexual health checks and this is a confidential service for everyone.

• I’m 15 and want advice on contraception – will you tell my parents?

  No, the service is a confidential service so we would not discuss any issues with your parents. If you disclose a risk we are worried about we may discuss this with other confidential services but we would always talk to you about this first where possible.

• How can I tell if my partner has a sexually transmitted infection – are there signs I can look out for?

  There can be some specific signs that relate to STIs, but they can also be something unrelated and many STIs have no symptoms or signs. If you notice any change in your own health, or have had unprotected sex so are at risk of a sexually transmitted infection, it’s best just to pop into clinic and we can discuss any concerns you may have.

• I’ve got an itchy discharge ‘down below’ – what’s wrong with me?

  There may be several reasons for discharge. It is normal for women to have vaginal discharge which varies in volume and consistency during the menstrual cycle. If your normal discharge changes in any way e.g. colour, volume, consistency, smell and/or is associated with other symptoms such as itching, soreness, tummy pain, pain during sex or bleeding when you haven’t got your period the best thing to do is to come and have a check up.

• I need to come in for a check-up but I work full time. Do you have any out-of-hours clinics?

  We run later clinics on Mondays and Tuesdays at both the Ambrose King Centre and Barts Sexual Health Centre. We also run a clinic on a Saturday. Due to the risk associated with untreated infections it is important for you to try and arrange time to attend the clinic even if this means taking some time of work. It will be worth it in the long run to ensure you are healthy.

• I’m worried that the tests for STIs are painful. What’s involved?

  Tests are not painful, some may be slightly uncomfortable. Which tests you are offered depends on what you require and what the doctor or nurse seeing you think are necessary to make the correct diagnosis. We have a range of testing methods including urine, blood and swabs taken from your genital area. Before any tests are taken, the procedure will be fully explained to you first and would not be carried out without your consent. The nurses and doctors are there to support you and would never continue with anything you found too uncomfortable to continue with.

• I’ve been tested and treated for chlamydia, but I’m too scared to tell my boyfriend. Could you please give me some advice?

  The health advisers at the clinic are specialists in this field and will work with you to find the best way possible for your partner to be tested and treated. This may even involve informing him anonymously (without giving him your name) but it is really important that any partners at risk of the infection are tested and treated or you will just run the risk of catching the infection again.

• How old must I be before I can go to your clinics?

  You can come at any age. If you are under 13, we will need to involve the paediatric service (specialists in looking after children) in your care. This will be discussed with you when you attend.

• What do I do if I’ve missed my pill? Does it become ineffective?

  Each pill works differently so it is worth referring back to the leaflet you were given originally with the pill. If still concerned please feel free to pop into any of our clinics.

• Can I get an STI from having oral or anal sex?

  Yes both oral and anal sex can pass infections, if you are worried come into clinic for a sexual health screen.