MENS HEALTH
CONTENTS:
- TESTICLE LUMPS AND SWELLINGS
- PROSTATE PROBLEMS
- SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC
- VASECTOMY SERVICES
TESTICLE LUMPS AND SWELLINGS
Lumps and swellings in the testicles are not usually caused by anything serious, but you should always get them checked by a GP.
Make an appointment to see your GP if you have:
- a lump in your testicles
- swollen testicles
- a change in the shape of your testicles
- a change in the way your testicles feel
- 1 testicle that has become bigger than the other
- aching or discomfort in your testicles that does not go away
Lumps in the testicles can be a sign of testicular cancer. This is easier to treat if it's found early.
If you feel you are have a testicular lump or swelling make an appointment to see your GP. Appointments are available by phoning at 8:30am Monday-Friday
Click the link for more information:
What should my testicles look and feel like?
PROSTATE PROBLEMS
Prostate problems are common, particularly in men aged over 50.
The prostate is a small gland found only in men and trans women. It surrounds the tube that carries urine out of the body (urethra).
Postate problems may include:
Prostate Enlargement: Benign prostatic enlargement (BPH)
Symptoms include:
- difficulty starting or stopping urinating
- a weak flow of urine
- straining when peeing
- feeling like you're not able to fully empty your bladder
- prolonged dribbling after you've finished peeing
- needing to pee more frequently or more suddenly
- waking up frequently during the night to pee
See your GP if you notice any problems with, or changes to, your usual pattern of urination.
Prostatitis (Inflammation of the prostate)
Symptoms include:
- pain in the perineum (the area between the anus and scrotum), which is often made worse by prolonged sitting
- pain in the pelvis, genitals, lower back and buttocks
- pain when urinating
- a frequent need to pee
- difficulty urinating, such as problems starting to pee
- pain when ejaculating
See your GP if you have these symptoms.
Symptoms include:
- needing to pee more frequently, often during the night
- needing to rush to the toilet
- difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy)
- straining or taking a long time while peeing
- weak flow
- feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied
- blood in urine or blood in semen
You should see your GP if you have these symptoms. It's much more likely to be prostate enlargement, but it's important to rule out cancer.
If you feel you are having prostate problems make an appointment to see your GP. Appointments are available by phoning at 8:30am Monday-Friday
Click the link for more symptoms and information:
Click the link for more symptoms and information:
SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC
What You Should Know
Sexual health is a vital part of overall wellbeing. Whether you’re concerned about contraception, testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or advice on safer sex, there are free, confidential services in Northern Ireland to support you.
What Sexual Health (GUM / Reproductive Health) Clinics Offer
Sexual health clinics—sometimes called GUM (genito‑urinary medicine) clinics or sexual & reproductive health clinics—provide a wide range of services, often without needing a GP referral. Typical services include:
· Testing for STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV, syphilis, etc.)
· Treatment and follow-up if infections are found
· Free condoms and sexual health safer‑sex advice
· Contraceptive services (e.g. pills, injectables, implants, intrauterine devices, emergency contraception)
· Pregnancy testing
· Smear tests / cervical screening (where offered)
· Vaccinations (e.g. hepatitis B, HPV, possibly others)
· Management or referral for sexual dysfunction
· HIV prevention and care: Pre‑exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post‑exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
· Counselling, education and behavioural support
· Partner notification (helping inform partners if an STI is diagnosed)
Clinics operate on principles of confidentiality and non‑judgmental care. You do not always need a GP referral, and many clinics accept self-referral.
Local Clinics in the Western Health & Social Care Trust (WHSCT) Area & Nearby
If you live in the Western Trust area, you have local options. Below are a few of them (please check with each clinic for current hours, appointment requirements and contact details):
Brae Clinic, Waterside Health Centre – Derry / Londonderry: Contraceptive services, screening, advice (appointment only).
Omagh, Omagh Hospital & Primary Care Complex – Omagh: Contraception, sexual health screening, pregnancy testing, etc.
Enniskillen, South West Acute Hospital – Enniskillen: Part of the WHSCT’s reproductive health clinic network.
South West College – Erne Campus Clinic – Enniskillen / local college site: Offers drop-in or booked sexual health services.
GUM / HIV Clinic – Anderson House, Western Trust – Derry / local area: Confidential STI testing, HIV testing, PrEP / PEP, vaccinations, and more.
Online & Home Testing Options (Free)
For people without symptoms (i.e. who simply want screening), online home testing is a convenient option:
SH:24 – This is a free postal STI testing service available across Northern Ireland. You order a discreet test kit online, collect samples at home, post them back, and receive results via text or phone.
If your result is positive (e.g. for chlamydia), SH:24 may provide postal treatment or direct you to a clinic for follow-up care.
When to Choose Clinic vs Home Testing
· No symptoms? Home testing is suitable and convenient.
· If you have symptoms such as discharge, pain, lumps, unexpected bleeding, or urinary symptoms, it’s better to be seen in person at a clinic (GUM / sexual health).
· Exposure to HIV or risk of recent exposure (within 72 hours): you may need urgent care, PEP – contact a clinic or hospital immediately.
· Complex contraception requests (e.g. IUD insertions, implants) or multiple health issues may require in-person care.
Why It Matters & How to Access
Sexual health issues often carry stigma, but early testing, diagnosis, and treatment protect your health and that of your partner(s). Untreated infections can lead to complications (fertility, pelvic pain, etc.).
To access services:
- You can self-refer to most sexual health or reproductive clinics — you don’t need to wait for a GP referral.
- Contact the clinic to make an appointment (or walk-in if they allow).
- Use SH:24 for free home testing if asymptomatic.
- If you're unsure where to go, search “GUM clinic Northern Ireland” (e.g. via SXT clinic finder service) to find the nearest one.
VASECTOMY SERVICES
Vasectomy Services – What You Need to Know
What Is a Vasectomy and What Does It Involve?
A vasectomy is a surgical method of male sterilisation. It involves cutting or blocking the vas deferens (the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles) so sperm cannot reach the semen. The result is effective, permanent contraception.
Key points about the procedure:
- It is usually done under local anaesthetic in a clinic or GP surgery, not in hospital.
- The procedure typically takes 20–30 minutes (or thereabouts).
- Afterward, recovery involves rest for a short period, avoiding heavy lifting, hot baths, vigorous activity or sexual intercourse for a few days.
- Follow-up testing (semen analysis) is required later to confirm success (i.e. no viable sperm in the ejaculate).
- Because it is considered a permanent method, reversal is not routinely guaranteed and is not part of standard NHS services.
Shift to GP / Federation-Based Vasectomy Services
In recent years, there has been a move in Northern Ireland to shift vasectomy services out of hospital (secondary care) into primary care delivered via GP practices and federations.
This is part of the GP Elective Care / Primary Care Surgical Services (PCSS / GPECS / GPES) frameworks, which allow suitably trained GPs to perform minor surgical and elective interventions (including vasectomies) within their practices or supporting clinics.
In the Western area, vasectomy is included among the procedures offered via GP elective care / federation services.
How to Request a Vasectomy Referral via Our Practice
If a patient wishes to be considered for a vasectomy, here is the pathway:
- Call our practice reception at 8:30 am, Monday to Friday, and ask to log a vasectomy referral / triage request.
- The reception team will record your details and forward the request to a GP or clinician associated with our federation’s elective care service.
- A clinician will assess whether you are eligible for the primary care vasectomy pathway. Some cases (due to anatomical, clinical, or safety considerations) will still require secondary care referral.
- If approved, you will be scheduled for an appointment at a participating GP surgery or clinic under the federation’s vasectomy programme.
- On the appointment day, the vasectomy is performed under local anaesthetic, and follow-up arrangements (e.g. semen testing) will be arranged.
Patients deemed unsuitable for the primary care vasectomy pathway (for example, those with previous scrotal surgery, large hydroceles or anatomical complications) will be referred to hospital / secondary care for assessment.
Important Notes & Advice
- Recovery is typically fast, but patients should expect a few days of light activity only.
- Post-procedure, you must attend follow-up testing to confirm success (i.e. absence of sperm).
- Vasectomy is intended to be a permanent form of contraception; reversal is not routinely provided.
- Under the new model, vasectomy services in primary care are publicly funded, meaning there is no cost to the patient when done via the NHS model.
- The transition to a primary care model is being phased in during 2024/25, and eventually, all health service vasectomy services will be delivered via primary care.
Page created: 09 September 2025