JollyJohnnyP's blog post - My recent sexual health checkup

I recently had a sexual health check at the local hospital. Finding out about where to get the checkup done was very easy. I simply googled "NHS sexual health" and got several links, the second of which I clicked and was taken straight to the NHS Choices page where I clicked Sexual Health in a list on the left. I was then asked for my post code and then a list of local centres appeared complete with contact details, opening hours, etc. I phoned the number given and making an appointment was simple and straightforward.

I turned up at the appointed time and found the checkup VERY interesting. After filling in a form with my name, address, etc., I had an initial consultation with a very pleasant woman who asked intimate questions about my sexual behaviour which I answered truthfully but it was an odd experience, telling intimate details to a female stranger. I was then handed over to a female nurse who took 2 swabs from the back of my throat almost triggering the gag reflex (slightly unpleasant), one swab from inside the tip of my penis (slightly painful), 2 swabs from inside my rectum which involved the nurse sliding a well lubricated proctoscope in through my anus (very nice), 4 blood samples and a urine sample.

I was also given the first injection of a course of immunisation against Hepatitis B, after which I was told to wait for 10 minutes in case of any allergic reaction (I had none) and then a stunningly gorgeous young blonde woman had a chat with me about sexual health and what to do if I suspected I'd been with an HIV positive partner and the condom had split - did you know that HIV is curable if treated within 72 hours of initial infection (the sooner after infection, the better)??? There's a drug called Pepsi (spelled Pepse) which does the trick although I understand the side effects are not pleasant. I was warned that the syphilis result can take up to 2 weeks and that syphilis can be dormant for years with no symptoms or you can get symptoms within 9 days of infection or anything in between.

In conclusion, it was a most interesting experience which I shall have no hesitation about repeating as and when required. A yearly checkup was suggested.

My experience was in the UK and so was free under the National Health Service. Obviously I can't make any comments about such tests in other countries, nor about the costs involved. I hope those of you living in the UK found this helpful and if you're thinking about getting checked - go for it. You'll be pleasantly surprised, and hopefully the results will be pleasant too. I'm waiting for mine as I write this on 15th January 2010.