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Sexual Health

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About us

Sexual Health

Sexual Health

Hamilton Sexual Health is a free-to-all and confidential specialist service for people living in the Waikato.

Providing non-judging compassionate care is our core value: we know STI & HIV-related stigma and shame strongly predict harm and our aim is to make it easier for you to get help.

We provide care around STIs, HIV and a range of other sexual health issues as well as gender-affirming care. We have close links with Waikato Hospital’s infectious disease team around the management of HIV patients. We also have a strong focus on support and education of other health-care providers. This means we sometimes have doctors or nurses attending our clinic for training. We will always ask your permission before allowing them to sit in on your clinic visit. 

Our focus is to prioritise appointments for those who need to see us the most. Some people with a sexual health concern may be advised to see their GP, Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa (formerly Family Planning) or another primary care service in the first instance.

Sexual Health Services

  • Diagnosis and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  • HIV prevention medication prescribing (PEP and PrEP)
  • Pregnancy testing and emergency contraception
  • Free HPV immunisation if eligible for the funded vaccine
  • Diagnosis and management of chronic genital conditions including vulvodynia (chronic pain)
  • Help with sexuality and gender identity issues, including gender-affirming care
  • Free condoms
  • Friendly & non-judgmental staff
  • You can be seen for free sexual health checks or HIV prevention medication without a referral from your GP. We appreciate a referral letter from your GP if you have a more complex health concern so that we better understand your background health issues and can ensure the most appropriate person in our team sees you.

We do not offer regular contraceptive services - please see your GP or other primary care provider such as Family Planning.

We are also unable to provide sexual dysfunction services such as prescribing for erectile dysfunction – please see your GP or selected pharmacies for this.

FAST Service

We offer Free Accurate Self Testing (FAST) if you would like to be screened for STIs without a full appointment. Depending on your sexual activity and gender this might include swabs you take yourself, a urine test and blood tests. FAST testing is suitable if:

  1. you do not have symptoms

  2. you don’t have any concerns you want to discuss with a doctor or nurse

  3. you have not been in contact with a sexually transmitted infection (please tell us if you have - we need to see and treat you asap)

  4. you don’t need any other tests, such as a pregnancy test.

What if I have symptoms or am worried about something?
Please call our reception staff on 0800 322 226 or 07 839 8732 for a phone consult or a clinic appointment with one of our doctors or nurses.

Do I need to book an appointment for the FAST service?
Yes - Please call us to discuss when you’d like to come in for self-testing on 0800 322 226 or 07 839 8732. We will ask you some questions to make sure you have all the right tests done.

How much does it cost?
Nothing. This is a free service.

What can I expect with the FAST service?
You will be asked to fill out a form so that we know how to contact you with your results. You will collect your own tests at the clinic. Staff will explain clearly what you need to do. If you need a blood test this will be done by one of our nurses. You will get your test result by text in about 4-5 days. And that’s it. Simple. FAST

Key personnel

Dr Susan Bray
Specialist sexual health physician

Dr Karen Benattar
Specialist sexual health physician

Dr Natalie Renaud
Specialist sexual health physician

Location

3 Ohaupo Road, Hamilton Lake, Hamilton 3204 – Healthlink ID: wdhbship

Contact

Phone: 0800 322 226 (or 07 839 8732) for an appointment  

Clinic hours 

Booked appointments only; no drop-in clinics:

  • Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8.30am – 12.30pm 1.30pm - 4.00pm
  • Wednesday 7.15am – 11.45am (closed in the afternoon)

Find us on Facebook

@HamiltonSHC

Just The Facts

Brought to you by the Sexually Transmitted Infections Education Foundation (STIEF) - funded by the Ministry of Health & District Health Boards to educate New Zealanders about STIs.

Burnett Foundation Aotearoa

Burnett Foundation Aotearoa (formerly New Zealand AIDS Foundation & Ending HIV NZ) works to prevent HIV transmission, combat stigma and maximise the wellbeing of those most affected by HIV.

Find your nearest DHB Sexual Health Clinic

Information for Healthcare Providers

Gender Minorities Aotearoa

Gender Minorities Aotearoa is a nationwide organisation, which is run by transgender people for transgender people, including takataapui, intersex, and non-binary people.

Gender Affirming (Transgender) care in Waikato DHB

The following services are available in Waikato DHB through the public health system.

  • Hormone services (Puberty blockers and feminising and masculinising hormones) via Paediatrics or Sexual Health
  • Voice therapy or training
  • Fertility preservation (sperm storage)
  • Surgical services: hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), orchidectomy (removal of the testicles)

As of 2019, Top surgery (mastectomy) is temporarily not available but this will hopefully change in the near future.

Bottom surgery (vaginoplasty and phalloplasty) is available via the High Cost Treatment Pool and surgery is done in Auckland. As of 2019, there is a long wait list for this.

The following services aren't yet available in Waikato through the public health system.

  • Publicly funded gender-affirming counseling or support services
  • Hair removal and laser skin treatment.
  • Fertility preservation (egg storage) pre-testosterone.
  • Surgical services: facial feminization surgery, breast augmentation

The services available in the Waikato public health system may change over time. Check with your GP, specialists and peer support networks.