Sexual Health

The Walcote Practice in Winchester, Hampshire, provides a thorough, discreet and non-judgemental sexual health service. Our doctors see many patients with a wide variety of sexual health concerns and we understand that you may be worried about speaking with the doctor about such matters. However, our doctors only want what is best for you. They will work carefully to put you at your ease, discuss your health issues and explain which examinations or tests, if any, are required.

You may request a chaperone for reassurance during tests or examinations if this would help. In cases of potential STDs, the doctor may gently take a swab. This may cause some mild discomfort, but it is over quickly. Other sexual health tests may include blood or urine tests.

When the test results are received, the doctor will discuss these with you and answer any questions you may have. They will work with you to formulate the best plan for your health.

It is important not to let worry about sexual health issues keep you from seeking medical attention. Such issues can have a major impact on your life and there are many ways in which our doctors can help men and women with concerns in this area. Waiting to see a doctor may allow a disease or problem to progress and cause more damage.

To book an appointment as soon as possible, please call 01962 828715.

It is very important to be aware that STDs can be passed from an infected person to another person in many ways not involving sexual intercourse. They can of course also be transmitted through sexual intercourse.

Some STDs, eg herpes or genital warts, can be spread through any skin-to-skin contact with an infected area or sore. Gonorrhoea and chlamydia can be transmitted by fingers to eyes.

STD’s may be spread by any oral, vaginal or anal sex through contact with the mucous membranes of the vagina, penis, mouth and rectum of an infected person.

Factors that increase a person’s risk of catching an STD include:

• Sexual activity from a young age
• Sexual contact with many different people (however, once is all it takes)
• Having sex without using condoms for protection

Please note that STDs spread easily because it is often not possible to tell whether someone has an infection…the person themselves may be unaware that they are infected. These people are in danger of passing on an infection to their sex partners without even realizing it.

If you think you or a partner may have an STD, or for any sexual health issue, please book a confidential appointment as soon as possible with one of our doctors by calling 01962 828715.

At the beginning, most STDs do not cause any obvious symptoms, often for a long time. At this point, you may not know you have the disease but you may be at high risk of passing it on to other people. Hence it is extremely important to be tested quickly, even if you are not symptomatic.

Once symptoms do begin to appear, they differ depending upon the STD involved. They may include one or more of the following:

• Genital itching, burning or discomfort
• A feeling of burning when urinating
• Genital discharge (this may smell offensive with certain STDs)
• Sores, blisters or lumps in or around the vagina, anus, genital area or mouth
• Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the groin
• A feeling of pressure in the abdomen
• Fever and flu-like symptoms
• Rash

Please note that not all infections in the genital area are due to STDs. Yeast infections, pimples, irritated hair follicles etc may all mimic STD symptoms.

Our experienced private GP’s in Winchester are able to provide reassurance by discussing your symptoms, examining you and reaching a diagnosis by undertaking any necessary tests. They can provide treatment to relieve or manage your symptoms and they will be happy to answer any questions you may have about your sexual health.

To book an appointment with one of our expert private GPs in Winchester, Hampshire, please call 01962 828715.

STDs can actually cause very serious health problems and permanent damage if they are left untreated, including infertility, serious permanent nerve symptoms and even death. It is important that you are tested as soon as possible so that our doctors at The Walcote Practice can best protect your health. Waiting for sexual health tests may allow a disease to progress and cause more damage.

For any sexual health concerns, please book at appointment with The Walcote Practice as soon as possible on 01962 828715.

If you think you may be at risk of having an STD, please book an appointment with our doctors as soon as possible to enable them to protect your health. Waiting for sexual health tests may allow a disease to progress and cause more damage.

STDs can cause very serious health problems and permanent damage if they are left untreated, including infertility, serious nerve symptoms and even death.

The sooner that you are diagnosed, the sooner that treatment can be started and the less likely you are to suffer from any serious problems. Many STDs can be cured with a simple course of antibiotics.

Different STDs need to be tested for at different times after your initial potential exposure to the disease. Our doctors will work with you to ensure that they detect and manage any STDs as quickly as current medical tests will allow.

Until you receive the results of your STD tests, we strongly advise that you abstain from sexual contact with others, or that you make sure to use condoms, to prevent passing on any infection you may have.

Please call 01962 828715 to arrange an appointment as soon as possible with one of our expert GPs to discuss any sexual health concerns.

This time period will vary depending upon the tests required, however most results are available within 1-5 days of the tests being received at the laboratory.

Our doctors understand that waiting for and receiving the results of sexual heath or STD tests can be upsetting and they will do their utmost to support you during this time of worry.

Until you receive the results of your STD tests we strongly advise that you abstain from sexual contact with others, or that you make sure to use condoms, to prevent passing on any infection/s you may have.

If you test positive for one or more STDs, please be reassured that this happens to hundreds of people every day. It means that we now have a firm diagnosis and so can start you on the right treatment to eradicate the disease where possible, relieve your symptoms and prevent /minimise any long term health complication. Treatment will vary depending upon the STD/s involved. Our expert doctors will work with you to achieve the best result possible, and they are also able to refer you directly to a hospital specialist if this is required. They are able to refer you to the Terrence Higgins Trust in the case of a positive HIV diagnosis.

For the sake of protecting the health of your recent and ex sexual partners, it is very important that you contact them as soon as possible to tell them about your STD/s. People can become extremely ill from untreated STDs, with permanent consequences including infertility, nerve damage and even death. We always strongly advise that the responsible thing is for you to tell them, in order to protect their health too.

The Walcote Practice respects your right to confidentiality with regards to your medical diagnoses, records and care. No third party, including your GP, will be made aware of your medical information unless you specifically request release and you provide written consent accordingly. There are only very rare circumstances when disclosure of personal medical information is justified and these include requirement by law, significant public interest and risk of significant personal harm.

For the sake of protecting the health of your recent and ex-partners with whom you have had sexual contact, it is very important that you contact them as soon as possible to tell them about your STD/s. People can become extremely ill from untreated STDs, with permanent consequences including infertility, nerve damage and even death. We always strongly advise that the responsible thing is for you to tell them, in order to protect their health too.