Gay Men's Health Clinic?

gayguy2009

Hey guys I am thinking of going to the GMHC on Baggot Street because I am very concerned about a problem i am after having. It is my first time going and im wondering does the clinic check for all sorts of problems or is it just STD scans? Could someone give me their experiences in the clinic? I am really nervous about going thanks guys

crotalus667

gayguy2009 wrote: »

Hey guys I am thinking of going to the GMHC on Baggot Street because I am very concerned about a problem i am after having. It is my first time going and im wondering does the clinic check for all sorts of problems or is it just STD scans? Could someone give me their experiences in the clinic? I am really nervous about going thanks guys

afaik it's just std's (they call them sti's now) i use the james clinic , it's a pee test, blood test a swab from your back passage, one from your urithra (dont worry it's not painfull ) and one from the aback of your throut

Iwasfrozen

Why is there a gay mans health clinic ?

eagle_&_bear

Technically it is Baggot Street Community Hospital

on 2 nights a week it has a 'gay men and men who have sex with men' clinic which test for std's and hiv

on at least 1 other night (possibly 2 nights) it deals with womens issues

and during the day it is a community hospital

From a personal viewpoint, the staff there are lovely and friendly. The nurses, doctors and counsellors are very friendly and very approachable.

I would imagine if you had other health issues outside the 'sexual health' remit, then you should discuss with your GP but the staff do help in settling your nerves. Everyone is nervous the first (and second) time so try not let it put you off from going.

gayguy2009

Well the problem that I have is to do with my sexual health. I also want to do the STI/STD test but want to know if the deal with any other sexual health problems other than the screening, id be too embarrased to go to my own GP about it.

L1011

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Why is there a gay mans health clinic ?

Dates from the 1980s when the state didn't provide STI services elsewhere. It is, effectively, an STI screening service but it also does other things such as counselling.

In the 1980s, STIs were seen as almost exclusively a "gay thing", particularly HIV, so thats why it was cordoned off in to its own sub-division of the EHB. And the idea has hung around since.

Can't for the life of me remember what it used to be called, but it was a far more offensive name than "Gay Mens Health Project" in 1989 anyway!

http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=2802 explains its purpose, the article is from a very, very long time ago though.

Annasopra

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Why is there a gay mans health clinic ?

Because HIV is more prevalent amongst men who have sex with men and the LGBT community face specific health issues and needs

The HSE has listed the issues

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Publications/topics/Sexual/LGBT_Health.pdf

General health: health impacts of higher levels of smoking, alcohol consumption, recreational drug use, and a higher incidence of obesity and eating disorders.

Mental health: high incidence of depression, anxiety, substance misuse, self-harm and suicide.

LGBT young people: experience of isolation, fear, stigma, bullying and family rejection contributing to depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicide, and substance misuse.

Lesbian and Bisexual Women: higher incidence of cardio-vascular disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, ovarian cancer and possibly breast cancer. Lower use of gynaecological services. Low awareness of STIs spread by woman-to woman sex. Barriers to accessing assisted human reproduction (AHR) services.

Gay, Bisexual Men and MSM: homophobic abuse and violence, stress, substance misuse, and sexual health risks (including HIV and syphilis).

Transsexual people: Distinct lack of essential health services – surgeons, postoperative care, endocrinologists, psychiatrists, therapists, and a designated gender specialist to coordinate delivery of nationwide health services. Prohibitive cost of electrolysis/laser hair removal. Isolation, fear, stigma,physical violence and family rejection contributing to depression, anxiety, selfharm, suicide and substance misuse. ‘Multiple discrimination’ in cases where Transsexual person identifies as LGB, is an ethnic minority, has a disability. Lack of psychological support services for transsexual person’s family members and significant others.

Older LGBT people: invisibility, isolation and loneliness. Lack of recognition of partners. Difficulties expressing bereavement.

Ethnic and cultural minorities: health problems resulting from discrimination/persecution in their county of origin, and discrimination within their respective communities here. ‘Double discrimination’ as both immigrants and LGBT people.

Disability: mental and physical health consequences of ‘double discrimination’, lack of recognition of the disabled as sexual beings, access problems in relation to health services and participation in the LGBT community.

Parenting, fostering and adoption: difficulties accessing health services for LGBT people and their children resulting from a lack of social and legal recognition of their family unit. Difficulties accessing AHR treatment. Psychological distress associated with systemic stigmatisation of their families, and related risk of isolation and bullying of children with LGBT parents in schools.

Homelessness: health risks associated with homelessness including substance misuse, prostitution and homophobic attacks, and difficulties accessing health services.

Domestic Abuse: Physical and mental health consequences of domestic abuse, and difficulties accessing appropriate support services.

Edit the Gay Mens Health Service was originally known as Gay Health Action

Annasopra

gayguy2009 wrote: »

Well the problem that I have is to do with my sexual health. I also want to do the STI/STD test but want to know if the deal with any other sexual health problems other than the screening, id be too embarrased to go to my own GP about it.

I've always found the GMHS service to be excellent. They are understanding and very professional

Here's a sheet that explains what happens on your first visit

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_Service/Sexualhealth/Gay_Men's_Health_Service/Research_Reports/firstvisitgmhsclinic.pdf

You'll find details about the clinic here so maybe if you do have some questions ring them

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_Service/Sexualhealth/Gay_Men's_Health_Service/STI_Clinics/

Iwasfrozen

Johnnymcg wrote: »

Because HIV is more prevalent amongst men who have sex with men and the LGBT community face specific health issues and needs

Edit the Gay Mens Health Service was originally known as Gay Health Action

True, but why call it the Gay Mens Health clinic when gay men can go use any health clinic ? What is the reason for the name change ?

Annasopra

It's the gay men's health service and it's a specialist STI clinic for men who have sex with men - I find it's brilliant because all the staff are aware of issues that might arise for gay/bi men, they are very understanding and very helpful. I've never discussed my sexuality with my GP and I don't think I could - I wouldn't feel comfortable

Gay men can use any clinic but the thing is other clinics may assume that you are heterosexual or it may be uncomfortable for a man to disclose certain information - The Gay Men's Health Service provides a specialist clinic and in my view it's a brilliant service

Iwasfrozen

Johnnymcg wrote: »

It's the gay men's health service and it's a specialist STI clinic for men who have sex with men - I find it's brilliant because all the staff are aware of issues that might arise for gay/bi men, they are very understanding and very helpful. I've never discussed my sexuality with my GP and I don't think I could - I wouldn't feel comfortable

Gay men can use any clinic but the thing is other clinics may assume that you are heterosexual or it may be uncomfortable for a man to disclose certain information - The Gay Men's Health Service provides a specialist clinic and in my view it's a brilliant service

But why do men who have had sex with men need a different clinic then men who have had sex with women ? Sure ok, gay men are more likely to carry STIs but surely once you have them it doesn't matter who was the source.

Odysseus

MYOB wrote: »

Dates from the 1980s when the state didn't provide STI services elsewhere. It is, effectively, an STI screening service but it also does other things such as counselling.

In the 1980s, STIs were seen as almost exclusively a "gay thing", particularly HIV, so thats why it was cordoned off in to its own sub-division of the EHB. And the idea has hung around since.

Can't for the life of me remember what it used to be called, but it was a far more offensive name than "Gay Mens Health Project" in 1989 anyway!

http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=2802 explains its purpose, the article is from a very, very long time ago though.

It going back a long time, but the addiction services were addiction/aids service something along those lines. That clinic is a methadone clinic in during the day. We used to have one lad who was know as the "aids counsellor". The clinic started because at the time in question those who where considered most at risk where iv drug users and gay men.

Edit: Memory just came back to me, initally we where know as drugs/aids service.

Annasopra

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

But why do men who have had sex with men need a different clinic then men who have had sex with women ? Sure ok, gay men are more likely to carry STIs but surely once you have them it doesn't matter who was the source.

Lots of reasons

They can give advice about safer sex practices for gay sex e.g. Is is safer to give anal sex or receive it

They are understanding and sensitive with people with people who have difficulties with being gay or coming out e.g. Internalised homophobia

They know immediately to check for STIs that are more prevalent amongst gay men

Their counsellors have expertise in issues facing gay/bi men

Aard

crotalus667 wrote: »

afaik it's just std's (they call them sti's now) i use the james clinic , it's a pee test, blood test a swab from your back passage, one from your urithra (dont worry it's not painfull ) and one from the aback of your throut

When I had the swab done in the GMHS, it was so painful I shouted out. The oul wan in the clinic seemed to have no idea that anything going up should be treated most gingerly. I'd had it done before with my GP, and it wasn't too bad, but this particular nurse seemed totally clueless.

Apart from that, though, they're great in there.

There's also the fact that the GMHS isn't traceable, afaik. I.e. if you're asked by officialdom if you've ever had an STD test, you can legally say no. That's not always the case if you get your test done by your GP. Obviously it isn't a problem as such for those who don't have any STDs, but if you've got hepatitis or something, it'd be handy not to be legally obliged to reveal it.

Iwasfrozen

Aard wrote: »

There's also the fact that the GMHS isn't traceable, afaik. I.e. if you're asked by officialdom if you've ever had an STD test, you can legally say no. That's not always the case if you get your test done by your GP. Obviously it isn't a problem as such for those who don't have any STDs, but if you've got hepatitis or something, it'd be handy not to be legally obliged to reveal it.

I don't think I agree with that. Why would it be advantageous not to reveal if you have hepatitis if you haven't done anything wrong.

Aard

To save face I guess. Having hepatitis is not exactly something most people would be willing to share with banks, new employers, etc.

Odysseus

That service is available to hetrosexual people too, IV drug users being one example. We often refer people for there for tests who are not on one of our clinics, they can avail of the same therapy in our clinics, but not of the medical testing part. So unless something has changed that I'm unaware of it's not only for gay men.

Annasopra

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

I don't think I agree with that. Why would it be advantageous not to reveal if you have hepatitis if you haven't done anything wrong.

If you admit to having had STI tests and even if they are negative - It has the potential to cause all sorts of problems applying for mortgages, insurance possibly even employment - GMHS do this as a form of protection against discrimination

Iwasfrozen

Johnnymcg wrote: »

If you admit to having had STI tests and even if they are negative - It has the potential to cause all sorts of problems applying for mortgages, insurance possibly even employment - GMHS do this as a form of protection against discrimination

But surely you can understand why a bank or insurance company should know if you have a potentially serious infection when applying for a mortgage or life insurance? I would have though that a resonable request.

Annasopra

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

But surely you can understand why a bank or insurance company should know if you have a potentially serious infection when applying for a mortgage or life insurance? I would have though that a resonable request.

Not if they are using it to discriminate against you - no

cotwold

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

But why do men who have had sex with men need a different clinic then men who have had sex with women ? Sure ok, gay men are more likely to carry STIs but surely once you have them it doesn't matter who was the source.

Johnnymcg actually answered your question. It's not like the clinic is called "the only clinic gay men can go to with their stds". The reality is a lot of gay men/bi men aren't comfortable discussing their sex lives with other people, maybe cause they're shy, maybe cause they're married. For whatever reason having a clinic like this provides a service to them they know is targeted at them.

At the end of the day if you don't want to use this service you don't have to.

Aard wrote: »

There's also the fact that the GMHS isn't traceable, afaik. I.e. if you're asked by officialdom if you've ever had an STD test, you can legally say no.

Preventing someone from being caught out lying isn't exactly allowing them to lie

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

But surely you can understand why a bank or insurance company should know if you have a potentially serious infection when applying for a mortgage or life insurance? I would have though that a resonable request.

Thats an interesting question for the legal forum, whether a mortgagor or insurer is entitled to that info or allowed to use it to discriminate against you.

Iwasfrozen

cotwold wrote: »

Johnnymcg actually answered your question. It's not like the clinic is called "the only clinic gay men can go to with their stds". The reality is a lot of gay men/bi men aren't comfortable discussing their sex lives with other people, maybe cause they're shy, maybe cause they're married. For whatever reason having a clinic like this provides a service to them they know is targeted at them.

Yes he did answer my question and I found it quite helpful. I have no problem with these clinics I was on;y asking why they existed.

Johnnymcg wrote:

Not if they are using it to discriminate against you - no

cotwold wrote: »

Thats an interesting question for the legal forum, whether a mortgagor or insurer is entitled to that info or allowed to use it to discriminate against you.

I wouldn't call it discrimination though to request one provides all relevent information when applying for a mortgage or life insurance. After all the bank or insurance company doesn't care who you sleep with, they only want to protect their money.

cotwold

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

I wouldn't call it discrimination though to request one provides all relevent information when applying for a mortgage or life insurance. After all the bank or insurance company doesn't care who you sleep with, they only want to protect their money.

It'd be discrimination though if they allowed that info unduly affect their decisions.

I think mortgages and insurance are too different to be used together as examples. However i disagree that being screened for std's or being gay should be relevant info to an insurer. Its just not relevant.

Annasopra

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

I wouldn't call it discrimination though to request one provides all relevent information when applying for a mortgage or life insurance. After all the bank or insurance company doesn't care who you sleep with, they only want to protect their money.

Well this is going slightly off topic - Firstly - The thing is insurance companies could perceive a gay lifestyle to be more risky based on stereotypes of promiscuity etc and could add loading on to a premium or refuse insurance - That is in my view discrimination

Secondly that information may not be relevant - Some sexual health information is not relevant to insurance companies or banks

Iwasfrozen

cotwold wrote: »

It'd be discrimination though if they allowed that info unduly affect their decisions.

I think mortgages and insurance are too different to be used together as examples. However i disagree that being screened for std's or being gay should be relevant info to an insurer. Its just not relevant.

It would be discrimination if someone was refused insurance or a mortgage for being gay. But I wouldn't consider it discrimination one though to request one provides all relevent information when applying for a mortgage or life insurance. And having a potentially serious infection is a relevent piece of information the candidate has conveniently left out.

Iwasfrozen

Johnnymcg wrote: »

Well this is going slightly off topic - Firstly - The thing is insurance companies could perceive a gay lifestyle to be more risky based on stereotypes of promiscuity etc and could add loading on to a premium or refuse insurance - That is in my view discrimination

Apologises if this is going off topic but you're the mod so I will continue untill you tell me to stop.

According to this website, http://aids.about.com/b/2010/03/11/gay-men-44-times-more-likely-to-get-hiv-infection.htm gay men are forty four times more likely to get Aids then a hetro man. Given this information I would consider it fair to increase the premium on an infected persons health/life in/asurance. After all the higher the risk the higher the permium.

Johnnymcg wrote: »

Secondly that information may not be relevant - Some sexual health information is not relevant to insurance companies or banks

If it wasn't relevent then they wouldn't consider it when making their decision.

Marshy

Central to insurance is determining riskiness so in my mind insurers should be able to ask any questions they like, within reason.

Tbh I don't see this as much different to the way younger guys tend to have higher car insurance premiums than most other groups. It may be discriminatory on the majority who drive safely but insurance by its nature has to discriminate different risk groups.

cotwold

At the end of the day its a moot point considering Irish health insurers don't ask if you're gay/ whether you've been tested for std's and it wouldn't effect you're premium if the found out you were.

In fact i can't think of a single circumstance where 'officialdom' (as aard nicely put it) discovered you'd been tested for an std or the fact you're gay and it could effect you.

Marshy

Health insurance is unique though in so far as there is clear adverse selection. This benefits the elderly and those in higher risk categories but it means other people must compensate for that with on average higher premiums.