Testing for STIs
Some things may be different from clinic to clinic, but here’s a rough idea of what to expect when you attend a GUM clinic.
Before you go
- Clinics are usually open office hours (not weekends or bank holidays)
- you're best ringing the clinic to ask about opening times and appointments. Most clinics use an appointments system
- some have early evening clinics one or more days a week
- sometimes a clinic might not be able to see you for a few days or weeks
- if you have symptoms tell the receptionist as this should mean you’re seen quicker.
Have you left enough time? It can take up to 4 hours to see a doctor, have tests, get results, be given treatment and talk to a health adviser.
- You shouldn’t piss for about 2-4 hours - the clinic will need to take a sample of your piss when you get there. Pissing washes bacteria out of your cock, making it harder for tests to find signs of infections
- make a note of any medicines you’re already taking - you’ll be asked this at the clinic
- take something to read - there’s often a lot of waiting
- think about the questions you might be asked at the clinic.
