Sexual health clinics for over 40s

[autumnalgloom]

I've been going every few years or so since my early 20s, and even then I noticed the age group of the people in the waiting room, just because it was so different from a GP surgery.

I went a few years ago and the waiting room was full of teenagers, and I felt so ridiculous and out of place. I know it shouldn't matter, but I'm starting to wonder where over 40s actually go for testing. Am I supposed to go somewhere else that I don't know about? I need to go and get something looked at, but I'm already imagining the staff looking at me and wondering what on earth I'm doing there.

I last went 5 years ago, when I was in my late 40s. I went to a standard GUM clinic.

I need to add that although I've always felt like the average person, in my life I frequently get people saying my questions are unusual, or that I'm a bit different etc but I really don't feel like I am. People comment on really mundane things as if I'm a weirdo. Just for once I want to go to a boring clinic, have a boring appointment and just be treated like the average patient.

Can't you just go to your GP? Last time I attended a sexual health clinic was when I wanted the pill aged 15 and was too embarrassed to go to my normal dr as he was a family friend.

I always used to go to our local SHC as they were brilliant at fitting Mirena coils. Now they're for under 25's only, and everyone else has to go to their GP. Madness. My last coil fitting was an absolute nightmare as the GP herself admitted she'd only fit a few and my cervix was "well hidden" apparently

Though I must admit that the last clinic at the SHC I went to was full of teenage girls and men over 50 leering at them. It was a bit grim.

All general sexual health clinics should be used to treating patients of all ages, and if you feel uncomfortable in the waiting room, it would be worth mentioning it to a nurse or whoever you see. There is apparently an increase in STIs in older age groups, and I'm sure this is partly because many of us don't think about infection risks - and that's because sexual health messages aren't targeting us; we're assumed to be monogamous or not sexually active.

There is apparently an increase in STIs in older age groups, and I'm sure this is partly because many of us don't think about infection risks - and that's because sexual health messages aren't targeting us; we're assumed to be monogamous or not sexually active.

Yes exactly, so where do these people go?!

I have a problem that can't be dealt with by my GP as it will need liquid nitrogen. The last time it happened was about fifteen years ago but I've been under a lot of stress recently so it appears to have come back.

@autumnalgloom

There is apparently an increase in STIs in older age groups, and I'm sure this is partly because many of us don't think about infection risks - and that's because sexual health messages aren't targeting us; we're assumed to be monogamous or not sexually active.

Yes exactly, so where do these people go?!

I have a problem that can't be dealt with by my GP as it will need liquid nitrogen. The last time it happened was about fifteen years ago but I've been under a lot of stress recently so it appears to have come back.

I'd suspect the treatment might be different to 15 years ago so I'd definitely see gp who can refer you. I think laser is more common now

Well I think the problem is that older people (I just mean 40 plus) don't go at all. But I would encourage you to go to the GUM clinic, and, as I said, tell them that as a woman who isn't in the first flush of youth, it's not easy for you to be there.

I'm seeing a doctor friend soon who specialises in sexual health and I'm going to ask her if she thinks clinics make enough effort to reach older people.

I think they pay for at home testing.

@liveforsummer But refer me to who? Who has these lasers?

I work in sexual health. Personally, I just go to the sexual health clinic! The reality is that most people having sex regularly with new partners and accessing clinic services are under 30. I’m in my 40s and I go for smears and birth control (but don’t regularly have STI testing as have been monogamous a long time and not concerned about needing one). If I did, I’d just go to the clinic. They see people for birth control so no reason why it should be weird to go in your 40s as lots of people do.

That said, if you’re going for regular STI testing, you can generally do most of that at home and get your results by phone, text or email. We actually rarely see people face to face anymore in our clinics. Look up SH:24 or call your clinic and ask about their self-sampling services. They should be able to send a test out or you could just go collect one to return by post.

Also I can assure you, as someone who works in sexual health, you are a boring patient and it’s all very routine. We see all sorts of absolutely wild things that would blow most people’s minds. Someone in their 40s getting routine testing and treatment is super routine. We see people in their 70s and 80s. We see sex workers. We see 12 year olds. Lots of things that throw up challenging situations clinically and in terms of safeguarding. A 40 year old is so not a big deal. The thing is just that most 40 something year olds probably aren’t as proactive as you and don’t get tested, even when symptomatic.

Okay thanks, I'll consider it. I've been with my DH for many years now and not been with anyone else, but they did tell me at the time that it could come back at any time due to stress and other factors, which is certainly the case now. But is this something that can actually be tested for at home? Surely someone needs to have a look? And do clinics have these lasers that someone mentioned earlier?

[quote autumnalgloom]@liveforsummer But refer me to who? Who has these lasers?[/quote]
Gynae department of hospital I'd assume. (Going on the experience of a friend last year) I guess it might vary depending on area but I was of the impression clinics are full of younger people as that's who are too embarrassed to go and see their regular gp or practice nurse

Ah, yeah it's weird I've become the opposite now. I'm too embarrassed to go to a sexual health clinic as I feel like I'm too old! Do GPs and practice nurses do testing though? Won't they just tell me to go to a sexual health clinic? And it's very hard to get a face to face appointment now. Even for telephone appointments there's a three week wait at the moment. Mind you I have no idea of the waiting times for clinics either as I haven't tried yet.

I have smear tests done by the nurse at my GP surgery, and I never ask for contraception because we just buy condoms ourselves. Even that is apparently far too controversial and I've had more than one doctor commenting on how unusual it is for such a long term couple. The comments are so inappropriate. We have our reasons for using condoms, they suit us just fine and I don't know why I can't even choose my own method of contraception without someone taking issue with it.

I worked in a family planning clinic/sexual health years ago. We also had a menopause clinic, so often had over 40's attending at various times. Not unusual and others in the waiting room have no idea which clinic or Dr/nurse you are waiting to see.

Just continuing this thread in case anyone has any more comments.

It could be worse, last time I went to the GUM clinic (on recommendation from my gp) the nurse was one of my neighbours 😆. They nailed my persistent thrush though in one visit so I was very grateful :).

I've also been to the sexual health/family planning clinic plenty of times, until recently when our gp surgery has started to deal with them more it was the best place for sorting out coil issues, so as a result loads of middle aged women

Tbh my only issue wasn't around the clientele, but the very short hours relative to demand, which meant you had a low chance of actually getting seen on a visit as it was a drop in session.

There aren't waiting rooms anymore, I don't think. Was at one on Monday having a coil changed, absolutely superb service!

But appointment only, in and out in a few mins.

I remember the first time I ever went to a GUM clinic when I was 16. It was at my local hospital, as I was walking through there one day and saw it signposted, and pre-internet I didn't know where else you could find one.

I was sitting there waiting for my appointment, and a random man came up to me and said "You look a bit young to be having an HIV test". It's a good thing I stayed there to get the test done, because I imagine a lot of young, scared teenage girls would've just left and gone home.

After that, a friend of mine recommended a much better clinic, which used to have a separate women's clinic at the time although it's become mixed now. But even then I noticed the age group of the people there.

Alright, could someone please help me find a clinic that I could actually go to? The place I used to go to was the Mortimer Market Centre, but now I can't make head nor tail of their website, or if they're even doing appointments or not. I need to see someone in person.

I don't understand these home testing kits either. Can they test for the problem I'm talking about or not? The website is very vague as to what exactly they can test for and what they can't.

I don't understand anything, it's all so confusing!

The free postal testing kits are usually for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV. If someone wants to test for STIs and they have no symptoms they use these. If they do have any vulval, vaginal or anal symptoms then it’s best to make an appointment to be examined, diagnosed and treated.

I’m a regular at my clinic since my diagnosis and there are other services there like family planning so can be quite a few younger people there. I also had my Mirena coil which I use as part of HRT removed there earlier this year.

As mentioned, SH clinics treat people of all ages.