*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature P: Personality Disorders.

What Services Do Sexual Health Clinics Gum Clinics Provide

What services do sexual health clinics (GUM clinics) provide?

Sexual health clinics offer a range of services, including:

testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
advice and information about sexual health
free condoms
contraception - including emergency contraception, such as the emergency contraceptive pill
pregnancy testing
HIV testing - including rapid tests that give results in about 30 minutes and counselling for people who are HIV-positive
PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) - medication that can help prevent people from developing HIV if they've been exposed to it
hepatitis B vaccination
advice about abortion
help for people who have been sexually assaulted
if necessary, a referral to a specialist

Sexual health clinics may also be called genitourinary medicine (GUM) or sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Not all clinics offer every service. Check with the individual clinic to see what's available.

Anybody can go to a sexual health clinic, no matter what their age. Some clinics hold sessions for specific groups of people, including young people, gay men and lesbians.

You may need to make an appointment at some clinics, while others offer "drop-in" sessions, where you can turn up without an appointment.

Appropriate arrangements should be in place so people with special needs can access sexual health services - for example, providing access to interpreters.

There should also be clinic facilities for people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, people who've been sexually assaulted, sex workers and those who misuse substances.

All services are free and completely confidential, and all tests are optional.

Sexual health clinics can offer testing for STIs, such as:

Depending on which STIs you're tested for, tests may include:

an examination of your genitals, anus, mouth and skin
giving a urine sample
having a blood sample taken
a swab from your urethra (the tube through which you pass urine) for both men and women
a swab from your throat or bottom
for women, a swab from your vagina or cervix (lower part of the womb)
an internal examination for women

Find out what to do if you think you have an STI.

Further information

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature P: Personality Disorders. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.