Welcome to the Ask The Surgery website. This is a free website for visitors who have health related questions they would like answered by staff at NHS GP surgeries, in England.
Read more about the Ask the Surgery website
This service is not for use in an emergency or replace a medical consultation at your Doctors' surgery.
Sexual Health questions
I suspect I have a sexual transmitted infection. Do I need a referral from my GP surgery to visit a Sexual Health Clinic?[Click to show/hide answer]
A sexual health clinic or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic specialises in sexual health and gives tests and treatment for many STIs (sexually transmitted infections). These clinics do not require a referral from a GP you can either make a direct appointment with them or sometimes there is a drop in clinic where you can just turn up. The staff in these clinics are non-judgemental they are used to testing for all kind of infections so there is no need to harbour any embarrassment as they will do their best to explain everything to you and make you feel at ease. These clinics provide a service that is totally confidential and anyone whatever age can go to these clinics.
There seems to be a lot of choice available for contraceptive methods. How do I know which contraceptive method is right/best for me?[Click to show/hide answer]
You are right; there are many contraceptive methods available on the NHS. When deciding which is the best choice for you it would be best to consult with your GP or a nurse who is aware or your medical history. When prescribing a contraceptive method for you many factors have to be taken into consideration such as age, weight, smoking, medical history and family history etc. Your clinician will be able to discuss with you all the form of contraception and you can decide together which one best suits you in term of your lifestyle and medical history.