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Find out about the sexual health clinics in Dunedin. Here you will find the answers to your sexual health questions and where you can find the right health care for your sexual health needs.
What is sexual health?
Sexual health is an important part of overall health and well-being. Sexual health is the ability to understand, respect and make informed decisions about one’s own sexual life.
It is about having control over the choices and decisions regarding sexual activity. This includes having access to accurate information about your own body, how if functions sexually, how to communicate with a sexual partner and make informed decisions.
Sexual health involves understanding your own sexual orientation and gender identities, as well as the physical and emotional safety of yourself and those you engage in sexual activity with.
It also means understanding the risks associated with different sexual activities and taking steps to reduce those risks. This includes using appropriate contraception and protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
What are the benefits of having a sexual health checkup?
1. It can identify sexually transmitted infections early, which can help to prevent re-infection for yourself and your sexual partners, and can prevent long-term complications.
2. It can provide treatment for conditions that can cause symptoms like pain, itching, and discharge such as bacterial vaginosis and thrush.
3. It can identify conditions that need to be monitored and treated for example, HIV and hepatitis.
4. It can provide information and prescriptions for contraception options and STI prevention.
5. It can provide a comfortable space for confidential discussions about sexual health and wellbeing.
Are sexual health clinics free in NZ?
Yes, sexual health clinics in New Zealand offer a range of services which are either free or at a low cost. These services include testing and treatment for STIs, advice on contraception and sexual health, and counselling about relationships and sexuality.
There are also private sexual health clinics available, which can take a psychosexual medicine approach to sexual health for problems that need more comprehensive assessment and treatment. This can include conditions such as low sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, pain with sex, managing consent and sexual boundaries.
What is psychosexual medicine?
Psychosexual medicine is brief therapy (usually up to 6 sessions) where biological, emotional and relational factors, that are impacting on sexual performance and enjoyment are explored.
The underlying causes sexual problems can be physical or psychological in varying proportions but are rarely limited to one or the other.
Are sexual health clinics confidential?
Yes, all information shared with a sexual health clinic is kept confidential. This includes any information provided during consultation, testing and treatment.
However if you test positive for certain sexually transmitted diseases such as hepatitis B, syphilis, gonorrhoea, HIV and AIDS, your doctor is compelled by law to notify the Medical Officer of Health.
Can a GP help with sexual health?
Yes, your GP can help with sexual health. They are able to provide information and advice about contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing, as well as treatments for any issues that might arise.
Your GP can perform cervical screening and will refer you to other specialists who can provide further assistance if needed.
What do STI clinics do?
STI clinics provide testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. Your can visit a sexual health clinic if you think you may have an STI or if you need advice on how to protect yourself from getting one. They can organize swabs, urine tests and blood tests to check for sexually transmitted infections.
Most clinics operate by appointment but some clinics do offer a walk-in service, so check out their website or give them a ring. You will see either a doctor or a nurse who can help you feel comfortable and provide the healthcare that you need.
Sexual health clinics are inclusive of gender and sexual orientation diversity.
Where can I find a sexual health clinic in Dunedin?
Depending on what you need there are a variety of sexual health services available in Dunedin:
Family planning provides low-cost contraceptive advice, STI testing and treatment, cervical screening, pregnancy testing, abortion advice, PMS, menopause, HPV vaccinations, and advice for other sexual and reproductive health issues.
Address: 95 Hanover Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016
Opens: 8.30am-5pm Mon to Friday (closes late on Tuesday at 7pm) .30pm)
Book: (03) 477 7850
Dunedin Sexual Health Clinic | Te Whatu Ora Southern
Address: Dunedin Hospital - Frederick Street Entrance, 201 Great King Street, Dunedin 9016
Opens: 8.30-4.30 Mon to Friday (closes late on Monday at 6.30pm)
Book: 0800 742 546 extension 1
Providing GP services including sexual health, contraception and STI checks for students enrolled at Otago Univeristy.
Address: Corner of Walsh Street and Albany Street, Dunedin North, Dunedin 9016
Opens: 8.30am-8.30pm Mon to Thurs & 8.30am-5pm Friday.
Book: 0800 479 821 or book online with you Manage My Health portal login.
Read more about sexual health for students here.
Read more about mental and physical wellbeing for students here.
Providing GP services including sexual health, contraception and STI checks for students enrolled at Te Pūkenga/Otago Polytechnic.
Address: Harbour Terrace, M Block, Dunedin North, Dunedin
Opens: 8.30am-5pm Mon-Fri
Book: 03 479 6082
Dunedin General Practices
Your GP can provide STI checks, emergency contraception, contraceptive advice, insertion and removal of IUD and jadelle contraceptives and pregnancy choice advice.
Find your GP practice here
Ōtepoti Integrative Health is a private holistic health clinic with special interest in women's and sexual health. We offer psychosexual medicine consults. We are also a comprehensive perimenopause and menopause clinic, supporting you to manage menopause symptoms and thrive through the transiton.
Address: 160A King Edward St, South Dunedin, Dunedin
Opens: 9-2.30pm Mon & Weds, 9-5pm Fri
Book: Book online
Dr Deb Brunt provides a safe space to explore sexual health concerns from a bio-psychosexual medicine perspective:
low libido or low sexual desire
pain with sex
consent, and boundaries
erectile dysfunction
difficulty with orgasm
contraceptive advice
fertility support
Dr Deb can support you with your sexual health no matter what stage of life from puberty to perimenopause.
Dr Deb practices holistic medicine in New Zealand and Menopause health coaching internationally. She has a passion for supporting women adapt to their changing female physiology for optimum health and wellbeing.
Schedule a free health discovery call with her to learn more.
Dr Deb Brunt | Ōtepoti Integrative Health | Book Appointment