How can I talk with my doctor about (embarrassing) health stuff?
Some health concerns are hard to bring up with your doctor, especially if you’ve been seeing the same one for most of your life.
If the idea of talking about sex or contraception with your usual doc makes you want to run for the hills, we recommend heading to your local Sexual Health Clinic. The staff there are highly trained and are totally used to talking about these topics and more.
What is a sexual health clinic?
A Sexual Health Clinic is a government-funded clinic that offers professional support for young people and their sexual health. They usually offer bulk billing for services (meaning you don’t have to pay anything if you have a Medicare card).
If you don’t have a Medicare card, you may still be able to access the services, but will need to contact the clinic directly to find out more details. Learn more about medicare cards here.
Tips for talking about health concerns with a medical professional
Doctors and nurses at these centres spend their whole day talking about sex, so don’t be embarrassed to ask anything! The more you ask, the more informed and prepared you will be. When it comes to your sexual health, there is no such thing as a stupid question.
If you are feeling anxious about talking about your health, sometimes it helps to write some notes beforehand about your symptoms, concerns and preferences.
How to make an appointment
Some medical clinics let you book online. Others you can book over the phone or in person.
If you’re making a booking in person or over the phone, here’s what you can say:
- “Hi, my name is [insert name] and I would like to make an appointment. Are you accepting new patients?”
Some clinics only accept new patients at certain times of the year and others might be completely full. If your chosen clinic isn’t accepting new patients, don’t worry, just try the next one on your list.
- “Could I please see a GP who is [insert identity here]?”
You have a right to request a doctor of a certain gender or who may have specialist knowledge in particular areas. Note: if your preferred doctor isn’t available straight away and your problem isn’t urgent, you may want to wait a little while longer to get the one you want.
If this is your first appointment with this clinic, you will need to tell the receptionist your first name and surname, as well as your telephone number.
If you are having trouble making an appointment, there are bulk billing clinics which have a drop-in service (this means you just walk in, and patients are seen in order of arrival). This method can take some time, so be prepared to wait.
Find a Sexual Health Clinic near you
If you don’t want to make a booking with a medical clinic, Sexual Health Clinics often have a drop in service and no appointment is necessary.
Follow the links below to find a clinic near you:
Your privacy rights
- Your doctor or nurse is required by law to respect your confidentiality.
- If you are feeling uncomfortable at any time, you can let your doctor or nurse know and they will assist you in any way possible.
- Your sexual health is your private business. However, if you have contracted an STI, you should notify any previous partners you have been intimate with in the past three months so that they can get tested also.
