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Whittall Street Clinic is featured in Channel 4's new programme ‘The Sex Clinic’, starts 10pm Thursday 11th April.
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New Rapid HIV Testing clinic at St Martin’s in the Bullring
Now open every Tuesday 11.00am - 3.15pm - no appointment needed.
The clinic is located upstairs in the St Martin’s Centre for Health & Healing next to the Church in the Bullring. Entrance to the clinic is via St Martin’s church shop.
Sexual health myths
Commonly held misconceptions about sexually transmitted infections:
MYTH
“People who go to GUM clinics are promiscuous and dirty”
FACT
People who attend GUM clinics are sensible people and take their health seriously. Being infected with an STI is not a sign of promiscuity or dirtiness.
MYTH
“People will find out if I have been to a GUM clinic”
FACT
GUM clinics are fully confidential. They use unique codes to label specimens and case notes. They do not even inform your GP of your attendance. All tests and treatments in GUM clinics are free.
MYTH
“You have to pay for your tests and treatments in GUM clinics”
FACT
All tests and treatment provided in GUM clinics are free.
MYTH
“If there are no symptoms down below, you are clear from an STI”
FACT
The majority of STIs do not cause symptoms. If left untreated, they result in serious and difficult to treat complications.
MYTH
“You can not catch an STI through oral sex”
FACT
Wrong. Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, syphilis and HIV can each spread through oral sex.
MYTH
“Oral contraceptive pills protect against STI”
FACT
Oral contraceptive pills protect women against falling pregnant. They can not protect against STI. Regular use of condoms is the best way to protect against STI. Women are best to use condom and a method of contraception at the same time.
MYTH
“You can pass herpes only during its outbreaks”
FACT
Herpes virus can spread through skin-to-skin contact and at most times. Use of condoms significantly reduces (but does not completely stop) the spread of herpes.
MYTH
“If you are a good judge of character, you can tell who is infected with an STI”
FACT
STIs are so common that they can affect anyone who has had unprotected sex. No one can use their instinct to decide their risk of STIs. Getting tested and regular condom use are the best ways to protect yourself from STIs.
MYTH
“Men who go to GUM clinics have to have an “umbrella test” for STI”
FACT
We use the best tests available anywhere in the world. We can use men’s urine samples to test them for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. If we have to use swabs, they are so delicate and tiny that apart from momentary nippiness, you will not feel any other discomfort.
MYTH
“My partner has had a negative test for everything. I don’t need to worry about anything!”
FACT
Just because your partner is negative for STIs you can not assume you are too. Up to 50% of partners of patients with an STI have a negative STI test. Remember, most STIs do not cause any symptoms. You could have acquired an infection from your previous partners without knowing. The only way you can reliably claim you are negative for STIs is to be tested for STIs.
MYTH
“I can not use condoms because I am too big / I am allergic, etc”
FACT
Condoms can stretch to sizes well above any human measure! There are different sizes and makes of condoms for any preference. Latex-free condoms are also available for those who are allergic to latex. Not using condoms is only an excuse that may result in catching an STI. Our video demonstrates the correct way to use a condom.
MYTH
“Condoms fail, so I will not use them”
FACT
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent most STIs. The most common reason for failure of a condom is not knowing how to use it correctly. Not using condoms for whatever reason is only an excuse that may result in catching STIs. Our video shows you how to use condoms correctly.
MYTH
“You can not get pregnant the first time”
FACT
This is a naïve and incorrect statement. Many women get pregnant the first time. If you are thinking of having sex, you should use a reliable method of contraception and condom.
MYTH
“Only drug users and gay men can catch HIV”
FACT
Over the past 10 years, more heterosexual men and women have been diagnosed with HIV than gay men and drug users put together. It is now clear that anyone with a history of unprotected sex may be at risk of HIV, and should therefore be tested.
MYTH
“There is no need to worry about STIs, it only takes a course of antibiotic to get clear”
FACT
Recent advances have made treatment of most of STIs easy and very effective. Every year, however, due to late diagnosis a number of infected patients develop STI complications that are difficult to treat. For example, treatment of chlamydia is very simple and only takes two tablets in one go. Untreated chlamydia infection can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility that are very difficult to treat.
MYTH
“Once you've had an STI, there's no chance of getting it again”
FACT
You can get some STIs more than just once. Infection with Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, or trichomonas does not protect patients from catching them again.
Contraception myths:
MYTH
“I won’t get pregnant if I douche after sex”
FACT
After ejaculation, the sperm enter the cervix and are out of reach of any douching solution.
MYTH
“I don’t need contraception because I only have sex during the "safe" time”
FACT
Ovulation (release of egg cell in women) is the result of a delicate balance between four different hormones. Identification of the exact time of ovulation is not easy and requires careful monitoring of several menstrual cycles before using this method. Because of its complexity, this is not a reliable method of contraception.
MYTH
“A woman can’t get pregnant if she doesn’t have an orgasm”
FACT
While the man must ejaculate to release sperm, it is not necessary for the woman to have an orgasm to get pregnant. Ovulation (release of egg) in women can occur without having sex or an orgasm.
MYTH
“I won’t get pregnant if we have sex standing up or if I am on top”
FACT
The sperm by nature move up through the cervical canal after ejaculation. The woman’s position during sex has no effect on the sperm’s movement into the womb. Similarly, jumping up and down after sex can not prevent pregnancy.
MYTH
“I won’t get pregnant if my partner pulls out before he ejaculates”
FACT
Pulling out before the man ejaculates is not a reliable method of contraception. Some fluid that contains sperm might be released before the man actually begins to climax. Also, some men might not have the willpower or be able to withdraw in time.
MYTH
“You will not become pregnant if you take a shower or bath right after sex, or if you urinate right after sex”
FACT
Washing or urinating after sex will not stop sperm that have already entered through the cervix.
MYTH
““The pill” is effective immediately after you begin taking it”
FACT
In most women, one complete menstrual cycle is needed for the hormones in the Pill (oral contraceptive) to prevent ovulation.
MYTH
“You can use plastic wrap if you don’t have a condom”
FACT
Plastic wrap can not be used as condoms. Condoms are specifically made to provide a good fit and good protection during sex, and they are thoroughly tested for maximum effectiveness.
MYTH
“Tooth paste kills the sperm”
FACT
Tooth pastes have no effect on the sperm and can not replace spermicides.
MYTH
“A woman can not become pregnant if she has sex during her period”
FACT
It is true that a woman having her period is not ovulating. The time of ovulation in women may be irregular however. Because sperm can live inside a women’s body for 5 days, a woman who ovulates within 7 days of after having sex can get pregnant. Having unprotected sex during your period is not a reliable method of contraception.
Myths about contraceptive pills “The Pill”:
MYTH
“Birth control pills cause cancer”
FACT
Birth control pills have been around for over 50 years. So far, no conclusive link between “the pill” and breast cancer has been shown. Studies also suggest that women on “the pill” may be less likely to develop cancer of the ovaries or the womb.
MYTH
“Women on the pill put on weight”
FACT
Research has not shown any relationship between weight gain and use of “the pill”. The oestrogen in “the pill” may make some women feel bloated. The progesterone in “the pill” may increase appetite. Some women seem to put on weight when using “the pill” that may be related to their increased appetite, or natural changes in body weight that occur in certain phases of life.
MYTH
“You should not take “the pill” for long”
FACT
It is believed that “the pill” can be taken for more than 15 years without risk. Taking a break from “the pill” may result in you becoming pregnant. If you choose to change from “the pill”, you should discuss an alternative method of contraception with your doctor.
MYTH
““The pill” is not safe and causes birth defects”
FACT
Even natural pregnancy when mothers don’t use any medicines can be associated with birth defects. The risk of birth defect caused by “the pill” is probably less than the risk of birth defects through natural pregnancy.
MYTH
“Long term use of the pill can affect women’s fertility”
FACT
There is no evidence that women’s fertility can be affected by “the pill”. Women can become pregnant quickly after stopping “the pill”. For that reason, women who miss their pill are advised to take another form of contraception until their next period.
MYTH
“Women who smoke should not use the pill”
FACT
Women older than 35 who smoke are at higher risk of stroke and developing blood clots. For this reason, many doctor doctors do not prescribe “the pill” for those women and instead offer other forms of contraception to them (progesterone only pills, pills with lower dose of oestrogen, intra-uterine systems).
MYTH
“All pills are the same”
FACT
There are two different groups of contraceptive pills available. Combined contraceptive pills ( that contain oestrogen and progesterone) and progesterone only pills. There are a few pills belonging to each group. Your doctor can help you in choosing the best pill for you.
MYTH
“The most risky time to miss a pill is in the middle of the pack”
FACT
Ovulation (release of the egg) is prevented if women take “the pill” for at least 7 days. It is therefore least risky if “the pill” is stopped in the middle of the pack. The most risky time for missing “the pill” is near the end of the pack.
MYTH
“The only use of “the pill” is contraception”
FACT
Doctors use “the pill” for some women for its other benefits including: to control the timing of the period, reducing cramps during menstruation, induce more regular periods, to treat acne and excessive facial and body hair amongst others.
