STI Testing

Gael23

I did something I now regret and any even though I’ve no symptoms I want to get tested. Is there a way of doing it without going to my GP or him even knowing? I don’t feel comfortable discussing that sort of thing with him.

Ten of Swords

Choose the most appropriate location from the below link, if there is anything to follow up on the clinic can discuss options with you. Your GP does not need to be involved if that's how you want it.

https://spunout.ie/health/article/sti-clinics-ireland

Gael23

I’m not sure I would feel comfortable discussing sexual issues with my GP.
Would he need to know it was with a man

Ten of Swords

In order for your doctor to advise you it would probably be in your best interests to provide all relevant information to him.

Whatever relationship you have with your GP (maybe your family doctor, maybe you've been seeing him for many years) he is a member of a professional body and bound by their code of ethics - he CANNOT discuss your medical history with anyone else and there are serious consequences for him if he did, even by accident. You can take comfort in the fact that whatever you discuss with him will remain confidential.

If you see your doctor as a friend and it would cause you personal embarrassment then that is your issue to overcome, first and foremost he is a professional and is more interested in evaluating and treating you than he is in getting 'dirt' on you and learning of your personal proclivities.

Peregrinus

If you have a GP that you are uncomfortable discussing things with, perhaps because he's a family doctor or an old friend, find a different GP. Seriously. It is not good for you to have a GP that you can't confide in.

Gael23

Ten of Swords wrote: »

In order for your doctor to advise you it would probably be in your best interests to provide all relevant information to him.

Whatever relationship you have with your GP (maybe your family doctor, maybe you've been seeing him for many years) he is a member of a professional body and bound by their code of ethics - he CANNOT discuss your medical history with anyone else and there are serious consequences for him if he did, even by accident. You can take comfort in the fact that whatever you discuss with him will remain confidential.

If you see your doctor as a friend and it would cause you personal embarrassment then that is your issue to overcome, first and foremost he is a professional and is more interested in evaluating and treating you than he is in getting 'dirt' on you and learning of your personal proclivities.

Peregrinus wrote: »

If you have a GP that you are uncomfortable discussing things with, perhaps because he's a family doctor or an old friend, find a different GP. Seriously. It is not good for you to have a GP that you can't confide in.

Ten of Swords is right, it’s probably my issue to overcome. I had somewhat of a negative experience with a doctor in the past and I guess ever since I’ve never trusted a doctor the same as I did before. But then that’s up to me really, I moved to a new practice to put that behind me. That issue wasn’t anything to do with sexuality or anything, just an experience I wish I never found myself dealing with.
That said I know a doctor has seen it all before and if he doesn’t know about something he can’t help and I have discussed intimate issues with him before. I know nobody that doesn’t need to know will find out what we discuss but I’m not sure I have built the right relationship to bring up personal stuff like that

JupiterKid

It is very important to have a good relationship with your GP and that extends to personal/sexual health matters. If you feel that this is not the case with your GP OP, I’d strongly suggest that you quickly find another.

I’m very fortunate that my current GP, a fantastic young doctor in her 30s and her predecessor (a now retired doctor in his mid 60s) were completely OK about me coming to them with any intimate/sexual health issue. My sexuality just wasn’t an issue whatsoever, as it should be.

what the hell!

Only bit of awkwardness with my doctor (who is great) was when he asked do I give or take ha ha!

WIZWEB

If male or T: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/sexhealth/gmhs/clinics/