Specialist Services

What is Sexual Health Medicine?

Sexual Health Medicine is the medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of infections and diseases of the genital area. It is a well established and specialised area of medical practice. It is a vocationally registered speciality and (in Australia and New Zealand) a Sexual Health Physician is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Physicians.

Sexual Health Specialists are medical specialists with a minimum of 5 years post graduate training in the diagnosis and management of sexually transmissible infections: HIV/AIDS, genital dermatology, general sexual and reproductive health, and sexual assault medicine.

We are involved not only in general sexual health but work in close affiliation also with Gynecologists, Dermatologists and Infectious Diseases Specialists in relation to conditions that affect the genital area.

There are about 15 practicing Sexual Health Physicians only in New Zealand, involved mostly in Public Health and specialist public hospital clinics.

You should consult a Sexual Health Specialist if you have any significant problem with your genital area.

What happens during your consultation?

When you come for your first visit you will have a detailed medical and sexual health history taken and a physical examination. Tests will be taken as appropriate and may include tests for sexually transmitted infections such as

HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B
Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis
Bacterial vaginosis and candida

These tests involve combinations of blood testing, urine and swabs. Tests are processed at Auckland Hospital Labplus and results are generally available in 3-4 days.

Sometimes other tests are required such as a skin biopsy or other blood tests to test for different conditions.

All these tests will be fully discussed with you before they are taken. Your results can be given to you by phone, email or text according to your instructions.

Often treatment will be started on the day of your consultation, but sometimes it is necessary to wait for the results before starting treatment. If you have a problem that requires further referral to another specialist, this will be discussed and arranged for you.

General Sexual Health

Sexual Health Specialists will:

Provide routine sexual health checks and advice on STIs
Manage genital warts and HPV
Vaccinate for HPV
Manage genital herpes. Genital herpes carries a far greater psychological emphasis than the condition itself. It is important to receive accurate information and understand your options in the management of this condition.

Vulval Dermatology and Vulvovaginal Diseases

Sexual Health Specialists specialise in the care and management of:

Skin problems in the vulval area, including lichen sclerosis, lichen planus, eczema and dermatitis.
Chronic and recurrent thrush
Chronic vaginal discharge problems
Chronic vulval and vaginal pain

Male Genital Problems

Assessment and management of all skin problems affecting the penis, foreskin and genital area.
Chronic urethral symptoms and discharge.
Chronic genital pain

We Do Not Offer

On-line consultation service
Treatment to children under 14 years of age