GUM stands for Genitourinary medicine, and it is a specialised branch of medicine that deals with both sexual health and genital wellness. Wellness includes functional, anatomical, behavioural, and psychological health. Not many people know who contact or visit if they have sexual health problems, and this article will inform you of how a GUM clinic can benefit your sexual and physical health for those taboo issues.
Definition
A GUM clinic is a healthcare facility where people consult about their sexual problems. The issues can range from erectile dysfunction, superficial infection, or even more serious problems like AIDS. The medical professionals can treat your issues and may perform examinations and provide treatments to ease your discomfort.
What Does A GUM Clinic Aim To Do?
These clinics are often government run, but you can also find some private clinics near you. Here is what these types of clinics aim to do:
- Ensure maximum sexual wellness for every patient
- Raise awareness about safe sex practices
- Creating an AIDS-free community
- Downgrade transmissions of STD’s
- Breaking the taboo of sexual health and wellbeing
What Happens At These Clinics?
So now that we have established what they aim to do and why they are important, let’s take a look at what kind of services they offer:
- Providing vaccinations against diseases like Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Treating erectile dysfunction or behavioural anxiety
- Family planning methods
- Contraception for both men and women
- Offers testing for all different types of transmitted diseases
- Treatment for STI’s
- Pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis
- Counselling regarding any sexual problems
Who Can Visit A GUM Clinic?
Everyone can and should visit a clinic at least a few times in order to look after their sexual wellbeing. Whether you are sexually active or not, your sexual wellbeing can still be affected, and problems can still occur, which is why you should be aware that help is always available to you. From young adolescents to couples trying to conceive, this kind of clinic is extremely beneficial in providing professional medical advice and support, as well as treatment methods.
It is also a safe space for anyone to feel comfortable talking about some ‘taboo’ or ‘awkward’ topics. Regardless of your gender, pronouns, sexual orientation or sexual status, there is support there for you take advantage of. Doctor-patient confidentiality is an ethical practice common in medicine. The friendly staff at a GUM clinic will never disclose your personal information or the topics that you have discussed.
Final Words
Sexual health is a commonly ignored topic and continues to be surrounded with stigma. Ignorance and unawareness regarding this topic have led people to suffer from sexually transmitted infections. It is important to understand the significance of sexual health in our everyday lives and be aware of the help and support that is available to us. This ultimately allows everyone to engage in safe, healthy and enjoyable sex.
