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Gay & Bisexual Men

Sexual health services for gay, bisexual and all men who have sex with men.

All Sandyford sexual health services are inclusive, they are supportive, non-judgmental and sensitive to individual’s needs. The services are free of charge and confidential. You don't need to see your GP or another health professional first.

You can book and manage some types of appointment online and our HIV When to Test Tool lets you easily find out your recommended HIV testing routine.

Services Available

Services available at Sandyford for gay, bisexual and all men who have sex with men.

I want to know more:

About HIV

It’s important you test for HIV regularly. There are different options available at Sandyford. You can book an express test online at a time and location that works for you or you can attend Sexual Health Screening at Pipeworks.

To find out your recommended HIV testing routine try our "HIV when to test tool". 

Call us on 0141 211 8130 if you think you have symptoms of HIV infection or have been exposed to the virus in the past 72 hours. The line is open Mondays to Fridays from 8.45 am - 4.15pm, except public holidays.

If you think you have been exposed to the virus in the past 72 hours and our services are closed, please go to your local A&E.

About STI Testing

If you think you have an STI, the earlier you’re tested the sooner you can be treated if needed. You can find out more about getting an STI test and common STIs on our testing page. You can book an express test online at a time and location that works for you or you can attend a community drop-in sexual health screening at The Pipeworks. Further details here.

If you think you have symptoms or questions about your sexual health, and have not already done so, please call 0141 211 8130. The line is open Mondays to Fridays from 8.45am - 4.15pm, except public holidays.

About PrEP

HIV PrEP is a medicine that stops you getting HIV through sex. PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. ‘Pre-exposure’ means it is taken before sex and ‘prophylaxis’ means to prevent disease —  in this case by stopping you getting HIV. If taken correctly, it is highly effective at stopping HIV being passed on.

About PEP

If you think you have been exposed to HIV you can reduce your risk of becoming infected by taking post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) which is a short course of medication.

You can access PEP by phoning Sandyford on 01412118130. A nurse will ask you some questions to find out if PEP is suitable for you and will give you an appointment if required.

This line is open Monday to Fridays from 8.45am-4.15pm, except public holidays.

If Sandyford is closed, you can access PEP at Accident and Emergency departments.

PEP can be taken up to 72 hours (3 days) after sexual exposure but is more likely to be effective within 24 hours (1 day) so it's important to act very quickly.

About Mpox

Mpox is a rare viral infection that usually causes a high temperature (fever) and a body rash that lasts a few weeks. You can find out more about Mpox and getting vaccinated at Sandyford on our Mpox information page.

About shigella

Recently a strain of extremely antibiotic-resistant Shigella has been on the rise in the UK.

What is shigella

Shigella is a type of bacteria that causes severe stomach upset. Infection can be treated with a course of antibiotics. It's passed on through infected faeces (poo), either sexually or through contaminated food.

How shigella is passed on

Shigella is caused by bacteria found in faeces. Only a tiny amount needs to get into your mouth to pass it on - for example, from your fingers.
It’s often caused by contaminated food but it can also be passed on sexually.

Sex that may involve contact with faeces is a risk. This includes anal sex, fisting, handling a condom or sex toy used for anal sex, oral sex after anal sex, touching someone’s backside or rimming.

Someone with shigella can be infectious for up to a month.

More information can be found at THT website

About Free Condoms

You can pick up condoms and lube, completely free, anytime you visit a Sandyford clinic. You can get your free condoms and lube from one of the many participating outlets (including pharmacies, pubs and clubs, housing and other services)

Find out more about Free Condoms in Greater Glasgow and Clyde. 

Vaccination Clinics

Sandyford in partnership with Public Health are offering vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Mpox.

We only offer the vaccinations at Sandyford to those who are at risk of the infection through sexual activity. 

Community Sexual Health Screening

Sandyford offer community sexual health screening for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV and Syphilis at Pipeworks. These are for gay and bisexual men and all men who have sex with men.

HIV When To Test Tool

Our interactive question and answer tool lets you easily find out your recommended HIV testing routine in a few simple steps.

Some men think they don’t need to test because they don’t have lots of hook-ups or think their own HIV status is the same as their last test even if that test was a long time ago. But it is really important to test. Use the When to Test tool to find out more about HIV testing guidance.

Importance of HIV Testing

For some men it’s recommended to test every 12 months, for other men it’s every 3 months. This can depend on what kind of sex you like to have, how many men you usually have sex with or what you know about the HIV status of the man or men you have sex with. Use the When to Test tool to find out more about HIV testing guidance. Planning ahead and taking control will give you the benefit of knowing you'll be taking care of your sexual health.

Express Test Clinics

At many of our services we run test only clinics (express test clinics) to make your routine sexual health check-up as easy and hassle free as possible.

The practitioner seeing you will offer you a sexual health check; however, they will not be able to examine you or answer any clinical questions you may have about your sexual health or sexually transmitted infections.

If you have any other needs or there are other supports required they will explain to you how to organise a more appropriate appointment for you to have these needs met by a member of the clinical team.

Watch the videos below to find out how to book, what happens when you attend an express test and how to get your results at Sandyford.

Further information and support.

Below are useful links on Sandyford and other organisations websites. 

Mental Health

Information about depression, anxiety and other mental health topics.

Chemsex

Chemsex is the practice of using certain drugs, generally referred to as ‘chems’, in your sex life. It is most commonly practiced by men who have sex with men.

 

Alcohol & Sex

Information and resources to help understand alcohol use and sex.