Confidential sexual health care in Dublin
Specialist STI Clinic
Private STI testing, diagnosis and treatment with specialist clinical support. Book for symptoms, a recent exposure, routine screening, genital wart treatment or complete sexual health advice.
- Specialist led care
- Same day appointments where available
- Testing and treatment
- Private and confidential
CareBridge Sexual Health Service
Testing and diagnosis
Appropriate blood tests, urine tests, swabs and clinical
examination based on your individual needs.
Treatment available
Treatment can be arranged when an infection is identified
and clinically appropriate.
Genital skin expertise
Specialist assessment and treatment for genital warts and
other genital skin concerns.
A Specialist Led STI Service
Our service combines confidential testing with clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and follow up. You can attend for routine screening, symptoms, a recent exposure or a genital skin concern.
Confidential assessment
When Should You Book an STI Appointment?
Many sexually transmitted infections cause no symptoms. Testing is important when you have had a possible exposure, a new partner or sex without a condom.
You should also book if you notice discharge, pain when passing urine, sores, ulcers, blisters, lumps, itching, pelvic pain, testicular pain, anal symptoms or unusual bleeding.
Your appointment is private and focused on your needs. You will only be offered the examination and tests that are clinically appropriate.
Testing time matters:
Some infections are not detected immediately after exposure.
Your clinician will advise whether you should test now,
repeat a test later or arrange urgent treatment.
STI and Sexual Health Appointments
Choose the option that best matches your concern. The clinician can adjust the tests or examination after discussing your symptoms and recent sexual history.
Common Sexually Transmitted Infections
Some infections cause obvious symptoms while others cause no symptoms at all. Testing is the only reliable way to know whether many common STIs are present.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is common and frequently causes no symptoms. It can affect the urethra, cervix, rectum, throat and reproductive organs.
Possible symptoms include discharge, pain when passing urine, pelvic pain or testicular discomfort.Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea can affect the genitals, rectum and throat. Throat and rectal infections may cause no symptoms.
Possible symptoms include discharge, pain when passing urine, pelvic pain or testicular pain.Syphilis
Syphilis develops in stages and may begin with a painless sore. A rash or other symptoms may appear later.
Blood testing is important because symptoms can disappear even when the infection is still present.HIV
HIV affects the immune system. Modern treatment allows people with HIV to live long and healthy lives.
A blood test is required for diagnosis. PrEP and PEP can reduce the risk of HIV infection.Genital Herpes
Herpes can cause painful blisters, ulcers, tingling or irritation. Some people have mild or unrecognised symptoms.
A swab is most useful when a fresh blister or ulcer is present.HPV and Genital Warts
Genital warts are caused by certain types of HPV and may appear around the genitals or anus.
Warts are usually diagnosed by examination and several treatment options are available.Trichomonas
Trichomonas can cause discharge, irritation, discomfort or pain when passing urine. Some people have no symptoms.
Diagnosis is made through an appropriate sample and the infection can be treated with medication.Hepatitis B and C
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C affect the liver. Sexual transmission risk varies between the infections and individual circumstances.
Blood testing and vaccination advice may be recommended based on your history.Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis is not usually classified as an STI, but it can cause changes in discharge and odour.
Other infections can cause similar symptoms, so an assessment may be needed.Mycoplasma Genitalium
Mycoplasma genitalium can cause urethritis, discharge, pelvic symptoms or persistent symptoms after other tests.
Testing is usually selected according to symptoms and clinical circumstances rather than routine screening.Pubic Lice
Pubic lice can cause itching and visible lice or eggs in coarse body hair.
Treatment includes appropriate medication and management of clothing, bedding and recent partners.Scabies
Scabies causes intense itching and a rash, often worse at night. It spreads through close skin contact.
Close contacts and household members may also require treatment.How STI Testing Works
The tests offered depend on your symptoms, recent exposure, sexual practices, vaccination history and the time since the possible exposure.
Private consultation
Your clinician asks about symptoms, possible exposures, relevant medical history and the tests you are seeking.
Appropriate samples
Testing may involve urine, blood, genital swabs, throat swabs, rectal swabs or a sample from a sore.
Clinical examination
An examination may be recommended when you have pain, discharge, ulcers, blisters, lumps, warts or a rash.
Results and treatment
You receive clear advice about your results, treatment, partner notification and any repeat testing required.
A urine test alone does not check every possible site of
infection. Throat and rectal swabs may be recommended when
relevant, even when you have no symptoms.
Specialist genital skin care
Genital Wart Assessment and Treatment
Genital warts are caused by certain types of human papillomavirus. They may appear as a single lump, several small growths or a larger cluster around the genitals or anus.
Warts can often be diagnosed during a clinical examination. Your clinician will recommend a treatment based on the number, size, location and appearance of the lesions.
More than one treatment session may be required. Warts can return because HPV may remain in the surrounding skin after visible lesions have been treated.
Book a Wart ConsultationTCA Treatment
Trichloroacetic acid is applied carefully to the wart tissue by a clinician. It causes controlled destruction of the treated tissue and may require repeat sessions.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy freezes the wart using liquid nitrogen. The treated area may blister, become sore or form a small scab while healing.
Electrocoagulation
Electrocoagulation uses controlled electrical energy to remove or destroy wart tissue. It may be considered for selected warts after clinical assessment.
Prescription Treatment
Some patients may be suitable for a prescribed cream or solution that is used at home. The choice depends on the site and appearance of the warts.
Do not use ordinary pharmacy wart treatments on genital or
anal skin. These products are not designed for genital warts
and may cause significant irritation or injury.
STI Treatment and Follow Up
Treatment depends on the infection, symptoms, allergies, pregnancy status, test results and current national antimicrobial recommendations.
01
Antibiotic Treatment
Bacterial infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis are treated with the appropriate antibiotic after clinical assessment.
02
Antiviral Treatment
Antiviral medication may be prescribed for herpes to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms.
03
Wart Procedures
Genital wart treatment options include TCA, cryotherapy, electrocoagulation and selected prescription treatments.
04
Partner Management
Your clinician can explain which recent partners should be informed, tested or treated.
05
Repeat Testing
Some infections require a repeat test, a test of cure or further screening after treatment.
06
Vaccination Advice
Vaccination against HPV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B or mpox may be discussed when relevant.
HIV prevention
Interested in PrEP?
PrEP is prescription medication taken by an HIV negative person to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV.
CareBridge Medical is an HSE approved PrEP prescribing centre. New PrEP patients attend an in person first appointment for assessment and blood tests. Suitable follow up appointments may later be completed online.
- HSE PrEP eligibility assessment
- In person initial consultation
- Blood and STI testing
- Prescription and monitoring support
- PrEP subscription available
Possible HIV Exposure Within the Last 72 Hours?
You may need PEP, an emergency course of HIV prevention medication. It should be assessed urgently and started as soon as possible within 72 hours of exposure.
STI Clinic Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have an STI without symptoms?
Yes. Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV, syphilis and other infections may cause no symptoms. Testing is the only reliable way to identify many infections.
Which STI tests do I need?
The recommended tests depend on your symptoms, type of sexual contact, recent partners, timing of exposure and vaccination history.
Do I need throat or rectal swabs?
Throat or rectal swabs may be recommended when those sites may have been exposed. Infections at these sites often cause no symptoms.
How soon after sex should I test?
The correct timing varies by infection. Some tests may be useful immediately when symptoms are present, while other tests may need to be repeated after a window period.
Can treatment be given at the clinic?
Treatment can be arranged when an infection is identified and treatment is clinically appropriate. The exact treatment depends on the diagnosis.
Can genital warts be removed?
Yes. Treatment options at CareBridge include TCA, cryotherapy, electrocoagulation and selected prescription treatments.
Several sessions may be needed and warts can return after treatment.
Does treating genital warts remove HPV?
Treatment removes or destroys visible warts but does not immediately remove HPV from the surrounding skin. This is why warts may return.
Should my partner be tested?
This depends on the infection. Your clinician will explain which recent partners should be informed, tested or treated.
Is the appointment confidential?
Yes. Sexual health consultations and results are handled confidentially in line with medical privacy requirements.
Is PrEP the same as STI treatment?
No. PrEP reduces the risk of HIV but does not prevent chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis or other STIs. Routine screening remains important.
Need Confidential STI Care?
Book a specialist STI consultation for symptoms, screening, treatment, genital wart management or sexual health advice. Same day appointments may be available.
