Genitourinary medicine

Genitourinary medicine (sexual health and HIV medicine) involves the diagnosis and care of patients with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Related problems include contraceptive care, genital dermatoses, and HIV. Most patients are seen as outpatients.

The main conditions treated in this specialty are the bacterial STIs (syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia), and viral STIs (human papilloma virus, herpes simplex, and molluscum).

The sexual health physician also plays a major role in HIV management. Highly active anti-retroviral therapy has dramatically improved the prognosis of patients with HIV but metabolic complications of treatment, viral resistance and long-term immunosuppression often indicate careful ongoing care.

Sexual health medicine has a strong multidisciplinary culture, with doctors, nurses and health advisers providing diagnosis, treatment and health promotion, including partner notification to help break the chain of infection. Links with community services are increasing, with the development of models for combined STI and contraception management. Clinics may also provide additional services such as erectile dysfunction management, and importantly, act as centres for training and governance for sexual health networks. There is also a strong public health component.

Related RCP publications

• Preparations for pandemic influenza (2009)
• Consultant physicians working with patients, fourth edition (2008)

Map of Medicine

The RCP has been working with Map of Medicine since 2008 to produce web-based knowledge support tools. There are 300 evidence-based clinical care maps covering all major areas of healthcare; including care maps for specific specialties.

Specialty training

For information about specialty training in genitourinary medicine, please visit the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Postgraduate Training Board (JRCPTB) website.

Specialist society

• British Association for Sexual Health and HIV

Patient information

• Terrence Higgins Trust