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Genitourinary Medicine (Sexual Health) guides
24 plain-English, evidence-linked guides in Genitourinary Medicine (Sexual Health), with clinical review status shown on each page.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) assessment (Bacterial vaginosis (BV) assessment and diagnosis)An assessment to work out whether a change in vaginal discharge is caused by bacterial vaginosis, an imbalance of vaginal bacteria.Chlamydia test and treatment (Chlamydia trachomatis testing and antibiotic treatment)A test to check for chlamydia, the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK, and a short course of antibiotics to clear it if found.Contraception advice (Contraception consultation and method choice)A consultation to help you choose a method of contraception that suits you, covering the full range of options honestly, including the most effective long-acting methods and emergency contraception.Express / rapid STI testing (express asymptomatic sexually transmitted infection testing)A streamlined STI testing service for people with no symptoms, designed to be quick and low-contact, usually covering HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea.Freezing treatment for genital warts (cryotherapy) (Cryotherapy (cryocautery) for anogenital warts)A clinic treatment that uses very cold liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy genital warts, usually over several sessions.Full STI screen (comprehensive sexually transmitted infection screen)A set of tests for the common sexually transmitted infections — usually HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea — for people who want a thorough check.Genital rash and lump assessment (Assessment of genital rashes, lumps and ulcers)An assessment of a rash, lump, spot or ulcer on the genitals to find out what is causing it — because the cause may be harmless, an infection, or, rarely, something serious such as cancer.Genital warts diagnosis and treatment (Anogenital warts (HPV) diagnosis and treatment)Diagnosing genital warts, small lumps caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and treating them with creams, freezing or removal, while being clear that treatment clears the warts but not the virus.Gonorrhoea test and treatment (Neisseria gonorrhoeae testing and antibiotic treatment)A test to check for gonorrhoea, a common bacterial sexually transmitted infection, and antibiotic treatment (usually an injection) to clear it if found.Hepatitis A and B vaccination (Hepatitis A and hepatitis B immunisation)Vaccines that help protect against hepatitis A and hepatitis B, two liver infections that can be passed on through sex, close contact or contaminated food and water.Hepatitis B and C testing (Hepatitis B and hepatitis C blood testing)A blood test to check for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, two viruses that affect the liver and often cause no symptoms for years.Herpes (HSV) testing and management (Herpes simplex virus (HSV) testing and management)Testing for the herpes simplex virus when you have a sore, and looking after symptoms of genital herpes, a common and very manageable infection that cannot be cured but can be well controlled.HIV PEP (emergency anti-HIV medicine) (HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP / PEPSE))An emergency course of anti-HIV medicine that may stop HIV taking hold if it is started very soon after a possible exposure.HIV PrEP (a pill to prevent HIV) (HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP))A medicine taken by people who do not have HIV to greatly reduce their chance of getting it from sex, when taken as directed.HPV vaccination (Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination)A vaccine that protects against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes most cervical cancers and some other cancers and genital warts.Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen) testing (Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen) testing, including resistance testing)A test for the sexually transmitted bacterium Mycoplasma genitalium, used only when there are symptoms or a clear reason, not as routine screening.Partner notification support (Partner notification (contact tracing) for sexually transmitted infections)Confidential help to let recent sexual partners know they may need testing after an STI diagnosis, in a way that can be done anonymously and without judgement.Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) treatment (Management of pelvic inflammatory disease)Treatment, usually with antibiotics, for infection of the upper female reproductive organs — started promptly to relieve symptoms and protect future fertility.Recurrent or persistent urethritis assessment (Assessment of persistent and recurrent non-gonococcal urethritis)An assessment for inflammation of the urethra (the tube urine passes through) that has not settled with first treatment or keeps coming back, to find the cause and guide the right treatment.Sexual health (GUM) consultation (genitourinary medicine consultation)An appointment with a sexual health (genitourinary medicine) service to talk through symptoms or worries, arrange the right tests, and get advice, treatment, contraception or HIV-prevention medicine.Sexual health screening (no symptoms) (Asymptomatic sexually transmitted infection screening)A confidential set of tests for common sexually transmitted infections when you feel well and have no symptoms, to find and treat anything you may not know you have.Syphilis test and treatment (Treponema pallidum testing and antibiotic treatment)A blood test (and sometimes a swab from a sore) to check for syphilis, an infection that can be silent but serious if untreated, with antibiotic treatment that cures it.Thrush check-up (Vulvovaginal candidiasis (thrush) assessment)An assessment to confirm whether your symptoms are caused by thrush (a common yeast called candida) and to rule out other conditions that can look similar.Trichomoniasis testing and treatment (Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) testing and treatment)Testing for the sexually transmitted infection trichomoniasis and, if found, treating it (and partners) with antibiotics.
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