Genitourinary medicine (GUM) is the branch of medicine that deals with the genitals and the urinary tract. Most disease in this area is due to a sexually transmitted disease (STD), so a GUM clinic is also known as an STD clinic. There are also other sexual health problems treated at an STD clinic.
Genitourinary medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the genitals and the urinary tract. In men, these two systems share a common tube, called the urethra. Both urine and semen exit the body through the urethra. In women, the urethra carries only urine, but it is located in very close proximity to the vagina.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) commonly cause symptoms in the genitals, but because of the close association with the urinary system, can also cause urinary symptoms. This is why one of the most common symptoms of an STD is pain or burning with urination.
A %genitourinary medicine% clinic, or GUM clinic, is a medical treatment centre where the medical personnel specialise in genitourinary medicine. Because most of the problems treated at a GUM clinic are STDs, this type of clinic is commonly known as an STD clinic. Diagnosis (including examination and testing) and treatment of STDs are provided there.
In some cases, a rash on the genitals may appear to be an STD, but may be caused by another type of skin problem. The specialists at an %STD clinic% can properly diagnose and treat your genital rash. Incorrect self-diagnosis is extremely common, so make sure that you seek a professional opinion rather than trying to figure things out on your own.
While STDs are the most common problem seen at an STD clinic, this type of clinic can also treat other problems related to sexual health. For example, women can obtain birth control at an %STD clinic in Singapore%. This could include regular birth control, such as the pill, patch, or ring. It could also include emergency contraception, or the “morning-after pill.” This can be taken if you had unprotected sex or if you fear that your birth control method failed. It must be started within 120 hours (five days) after having sex, and it’s more effective the sooner it’s taken after sex, so don’t wait to go to your STD clinic if you’d like to get the morning-after pill.
Sexual health problems such as premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and testosterone deficiency can also be treated at an STD clinic in Singapore. If you’re having any type of issue that’s affecting your sexual health, visit a specialist in genitourinary medicine to get your sex life back.
Sources:
Mayo Clinic. “STD symptoms: Common STDs and their symptoms.” Mayo Clinic. Published 18 Mar 2015. Accessed 28 Jun 2016. http://www.mayoclinic.org/std-symptoms/art-20047081
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published 25 Feb 2014. Accessed 28 Jun 2016. https://www.cdc.gov/std/general/default.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Screening Recommendations Referenced in Treatment Guidelines and Original Recommendation Sources.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published 4 Jun 2015. Accessed 28 Jun 2016. http://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/screening-recommendations.htm
Mayo Clinic. “Morning-after pill.” Mayo Clinic. Published 14 Apr 2015. Accessed 29 Jun 2016. http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/morning-after-pill/basics/definition/prc-20012891
References
Genitourinary medicine at Shim Clinic, Singapore