Sexual Health
Clinic

When should you have an STI screen?

• If you have had unprotected sex, especially with an unknown partner.
• If you have any unusual symptoms in the genitourinary area.
• If a recent or present partner has been diagnosed with an STI.
• If you are about to begin a new sexual relationship

How long does it take?

An STI Screen takes approximately 15-20 minutes. Results available within 10 days via text message (Free) or consultation with a nurse/doctor (€35)

A routine Sexual Health Screen involves:

A consultation by a doctor or one of our nurse specialists who will take:

• Urine sample (male only) – tested for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea
• Vaginal swab for women – tested for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea
• Blood sample – tested for H.I.V, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Syphilis

Please Note:

• Depending on your symptoms, you may have swabs taken.
• Patients are advised not to pass urine for at least 1 hour before the screen in order to attain the optimal urine sample for testing
• If you are worried about a particular exposure and have NO symptoms, please wait 2 weeks before screening.
• More frequent screening is recommended if you are sexually active with different partners
• Your clinical records cannot be shown to anyone without your written permission.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is now offered as a private service at Charter Medical*.

PrEPis a safe and effective daily pill for people who do not have HIV, are at high risk of infection and want to take a pill to reduce their risk of HIV infection. PrEP is the newest HIV prevention tool available and is best used in combination with other HIV prevention measures.

You should consider taking PrEP if you:

• Do not always use condoms during sex
• Have a partner who has HIV and a detectable or unknown viral load
• Are trying to conceive with a partner who has HIV
• Have a partner who has an unknown HIV status or who refuses to get an HIV test
• Have sex for money, drugs or a place to stay
• Are using recreational drugs for sex, also known as chemsex
• Or any activity that may expose you to HIV infection
• Have used PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) in the past year
• Had a recent sexually transmitted infection (STI), especially a rectal infection or syphilis

To book your PrEP consultation please call 01 6579002

For more information on PrEP: https://www.sexualwellbeing.ie

PrEP and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

• PrEP does not protect against other STIs. For example, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and hepatitis C.
• PrEP users can combine condoms and PrEP to reduce the risk of contracting other STIs.
• Regular STI testing at least every 3 months is recommended for people taking PrEP.
• Vaccination against hepatitis A and B is recommended for all gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and people who inject drugs.
• HPV vaccination is recommended for MSM up to and including 45 years of age to protect against genital warts and HPV- associated cancers.

PrEP Fees

The fees for this private service at Charter Medical is:

• Initial Visit  €150 and Review (after 3 months) €150
• Hep A vaccination  €55 and Hep B vaccination course  €240
• HPV Vaccination course (Gardasil 9 course of 3 vaccinations)  1st Vaccine €275.00, 2nd Vaccine €240.00, 3rd Vaccine €240.00
• Syphilis positive tests will incur consultant specialist fees. Further information on enquiry

*ALL NEW PATIENTS EVEN THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN PREP IN THE PAST WILL NEED THE RESULTS OF THEIR STI SCREEN AND KIDNEY FUNCTION TEST PRIOR TO GETTING THEIR PRESCRIPTION.

HPV cervical screening is a new way of screening, first introduced into Ireland in March 2020. It is not a test for cancer, it is a test to help prevent more cancers from developing by testing for the human papilloma virus (HPV).

This test is free of charge for women, aged over 25, who are due a test under the national screening programme. You can check your eligibility for a free smear at www.cervicalcheck.ie

Private cervical smear testing service is also available upon request for women aged 25 and over.

We provide vaccination against the HPV (Human papilloma virus) with the most up to date Gardasil 9 vaccine. The HPV vaccine protects against the HPV virus which can cause cancer and genital warts in men and women. It can prevent against the types of HPV that cause nine out of ten cancers. The vaccine also offers men protection against some anal and oral cancers. It is currently used for women and men aged 9-26 years, but also available to those outside of these age ranges. Patients will need to see our doctors to assess suitability, with first dose available on the same day. New clinical evidence supports getting the vaccine even if there is HPV detected on a smear test & for all women and men.

National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommend (2022) administered by injection into the muscle of the arm:
Single Vaccine to males & females aged 9 to 24.
Two Vaccines six months apart for over anyone over 25.

Costs:
Per Vaccine €275.00

For more information on Gardasil 9:

http://www.chartermedical.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Gardasil-9.pdf

To perform this test the doctor or nurse will need to collect a small amount of blood. The rapid test is a screening test only and can detect antigen and antibodies in blood. As it is not a confirmatory diagnostic test, a blood sample is always sent to the lab to confirm a positive or negative result.

It can be used from two weeks post risk and your result is available in 20 minutes.

Note: Rapid HIV testing is not appropriate for everyone – therefore we will take the time to discuss all the relevant information with you when you attend for consultation.

Cost €95.

Cryotherapy is a technique that uses an extremely cold liquid or instrument to freeze a lesion or a growth. Cryotherapy poses little risk and is well-tolerated by patients.

It may take several treatments to achieve visible results and should be noted that lesions may return requiring further treatments.

• Full sexual health screen – €140
• Full sexual health screen – Student rate €95
• Full sexual health screen – Medical Card Rate (GMS)/ GP Visit Card €95
• Full sexual health screen – Military Personnel (with valid ID Card) €95
• Full sexual health screen – Couple rate €125 per person
• Nurse Led Clinic – €95
• Cryotherapy session  €70
• Cryotherapy session  €50 (Student/Medical Card Holder)
• Cryotherapy review €50

Additional Fees

• Results appointment (if necessary) €55
• Review appointment €60
• Following examination, if routine blood tests are required there is an additional fee of €35
• If specialist blood tests are required, this may incur an additional cost which we can quote you on

At Charter Medical Sexual Health Clinic we offer friendly, thorough, discreet and reassuring care for all aspects of sexual health.

8:30 am to 4:30 pm (Monday – Friday) (Last registration at 4:00 pm)

To make an appointment, please contact: (01) 657 9002

It is always advisable to have a regular sexual health screen as many STI’s are easily treated but as they display no signs or symptoms, may go undiagnosed and can lead to more complicated problems.

What is an STI?

An STI (formerly called an STD) is an infection that can be passed from one person to another through sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral).

Common Symptoms of an STI?

• Vaginal/penile discharge
• Genital lumps
• Pain on passing urine/other urinary symptoms
• Genital sores or ulcers
• Pelvic pain
• Itching in the pubic/genital area
• None of the above!! ( STIs can have no symptoms at all but are still contagious)

What types of STIs are there?

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. It is known as the ‘silent disease’ as up to 75% of women and 50% of men can have no symptoms at all. Left untreated, it can result in infertility, chronic pelvic pain and ectopic pregnancies. Common symptoms include abnormal vaginal discharge, pain on passing urine, pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, irregular vaginal bleeding.

Testing is done via urine sample/cervical swab and is easily treated with antibiotics.

Anogenital Warts

Warts are a very common sexually transmitted infection, caused by the HPV virus. Common symptoms include non- painful lumps anywhere on the genital area. This virus can live in the body for many years and people can carry the virus and not know it.  Treatments for external warts including cryotherapy (‘freezing treatment’) available at Charter Medical.

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection in the genital area which can cause vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, penile discharge or pain on passing urine. Like Chlamydia, it can have no symptoms at all and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (P.I.D.) which in turn can lead to infertility & chronic pelvic pain,

Testing is done via urine sample/swab and easily treated with antibiotics.

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a viral infection which is easily transmitted from person to person and is caused by the herpes simplex virus. It causes ulcerated, often painful lesions/blisters around the genital area. Diagnosis is made by visual inspection or by taking a swab. Whilst there is no cure for genital herpes, out-breaks can be treated with anti-viral medications.

H.I.V. (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

H.I.V. is a virus that can cause Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (A.I.D.S.). It can be transmitted by sexual intercourse and stays in the body for life, attacking your immune system so that you are unable to fight infections. It is diagnosed by a blood test and requires life-long treatment and monitoring.

Syphilis

Syphilis is transmitted by direct contact with a syphilis sore or lesion and is caused by the bacterium treponema pallidum. Ulcers may be found in the genital area and also in the mouth/around the lips. If treated with antibiotics in the early stage it can be cured. It is diagnosed on a simple blood test but if left untreated, it can spread around the body via the bloodstream and cause further issues.

Antibiotics prescribed in the early stages can cure syphilis.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause vaginal discharge in women and discharge from the penis in men. It is often without symptoms but can be passed from person to person during sexual contact.

It is easily treatable with antibiotics.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can be transmitted by blood, semen or other body fluids and can cause inflammation of the liver.

It usually has no symptoms but can cause serious liver disease.

Diagnosis is by blood test.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is another liver infection which is usually transmitted by blood. Commonly infections are passed by sharing/using unsterilised needles for injecting drugs, from mother to baby and sexual contact.  If left untreated it can cause liver failure and, in some cases, can lead to liver cancer.

It can be diagnosed by a blood test and can be treated with a long course of medication.

Pubic Lice

Pubic lice are tiny insects that live on the hair in the pubic area and are not removed by normal washing or brushing. The main symptom is itch and they can be passed on by close genital contact. Treatment is with a specialized cream or lotion.