An LGBTQ friendly sexual health clinic on Koh Samui should give you confidential, judgement-free care, with testing, PrEP and PEP matched to your body and the sex you actually have. You shouldn't have to explain or defend who you are to get it.
This guide explains which services gay, bi and trans people and other queer people often find useful, how the PrEP options compare, and what good, inclusive care looks like. Use it as a checklist, whoever you choose to see.
What LGBTQ+-friendly care really means
Friendly care isn't about a rainbow sticker on the door. It's about how you're spoken to, how your details are handled and whether the tests fit you.
In practice, it means you're asked about your body and your sex life in a neutral way, without assumptions about your partners. It means your name and pronouns are used, and your information stays private.
Sexual health services worth knowing about
Not everyone needs every service. A doctor will talk through your situation and suggest what makes sense for you.
Services often useful for gay and bi men, trans people and other LGBTQ+ people
| Service | What it is | How often (typical) | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIV test | Blood test, lab or rapid | Every 3–12 months, depending on risk | Early diagnosis means early treatment |
| Chlamydia and gonorrhoea | Urine plus throat and rectal swabs as needed | Every 3–12 months | Often no symptoms, especially in the throat or rectum |
| Syphilis | Blood test | Every 3–12 months | Can be silent in early stages |
| Hepatitis B and C | Blood tests | Hepatitis B once, hepatitis C as advised | Checks for infection or whether you need a vaccine |
| HIV PrEP | Medicine taken before sex to prevent HIV | Check-ups about every 3 months | Highly effective when taken as prescribed |
| HIV PEP | 28-day course after a possible exposure | Only when needed, within 72 hours | Emergency HIV prevention |
The US CDC's STI screening recommendations suggest sexually active gay and bisexual men test for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV at least once a year. They suggest every 3–6 months for people at higher risk, and screening for trans and gender-diverse people based on their anatomy and sexual practices.
Vaccines for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, HPV and mpox are also worth discussing. Ask whether they're available, or plan them with your home doctor.
Testing that fits your body
A urine test alone can miss throat and rectal infections. If you have oral or anal sex, ask for swabs from those sites too.
For trans and non-binary people, tests should be based on the body parts you have and how you use them, not on a gender box on a form. You can say which words you prefer for your body, and a good clinician will use them.
Our HIV and STI testing service covers these tests. For typical prices across the island, see our guide to STD test prices on Koh Samui.
PrEP options compared
PrEP is one of the most effective ways to prevent HIV. There's more than one way to take it, and the right choice depends on your body, how often you have sex and your health.
HIV PrEP options: which could suit you?
| Option | How it works | Who it may suit | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily PrEP | One pill every day | Anyone at ongoing risk, including trans people and people who have vaginal or front-hole sex | Widely available |
| On-demand (event-based) PrEP | Pills taken around the time of sex, on a set schedule | Cisgender men who have sex with men and plan sex ahead | Ask whether it's offered and right for you |
| Injectable PrEP | An injection every few months | People who find daily pills hard | Ask whether it's available |
On-demand PrEP isn't suitable for everyone, so always follow a doctor's advice on how to take it. Our HIV PrEP service starts with a consultation and baseline tests, and our guide to what PrEP costs on Koh Samui explains typical price ranges.
PrEP and gender-affirming hormones
Many trans people worry that PrEP will weaken their hormones. Tell the doctor about any hormones you take, so they can check for interactions and plan monitoring.
Never stop your hormones to start PrEP without talking it through. A good clinic will work with both.
What to expect from an inclusive clinic
You can use this checklist anywhere, from Koh Samui to your clinic back home. If something is missing, you're entitled to ask for it.
Inclusive sexual health care checklist
| You can expect | What it looks like | What you can ask |
|---|---|---|
| Respect for identity | Your chosen name and pronouns are used | "Please call me…" |
| Neutral questions | Asked about partners and practices without assumptions | "Can we talk about the sex I actually have?" |
| Right tests, right sites | Throat, rectal or genital samples as needed | "Can I have throat and rectal swabs?" |
| Privacy | Results shared only with you | "Who will see my results?" |
| Clear next steps | Results explained, follow-up planned | "When should I test again?" |
If you'd prefer, you can do much of this by message before you arrive. Many people find it easier to type than to say it face to face.
Privacy and confidentiality
Your sexual health is your business. A trustworthy clinic keeps your results confidential and doesn't share them with employers, hotels, insurers or family without your consent.
If you're travelling with others, you don't have to tell anyone where you're going. Results can usually be sent to you privately so you can keep them for your home doctor.
If you need PEP
If a condom broke, you had sex without PrEP, or you're unsure about a partner's HIV status, PEP could help. PEP must be started within 72 hours — the sooner the better.
Read our step-by-step plan for the first 72 hours after a condom breaks, or see our HIV PEP service on Koh Samui. Not sure which you need? Our guide on how PEP compares with PrEP and condoms can help.
It's also good to know about U=U. People living with HIV who are on treatment with an undetectable viral load do not pass HIV on through sex.
Sexual health care for LGBTQ+ people on Koh Samui
Koh Samui welcomes LGBTQ+ visitors and residents, and sexual health care here should feel the same. We offer confidential HIV PEP, PrEP, HIV and STI testing, and follow-up support for when you go home.
You can message us before booking to ask anything, including how we'd handle your name, pronouns or particular tests.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an LGBTQ friendly sexual health clinic on Koh Samui?
Yes, several clinics on the island serve LGBTQ+ patients. Use the checklist above, and message us to ask how we'd support you.
How often should gay and bi men get tested?
The CDC suggests at least once a year, and every 3–6 months if you have more partners or other risk factors. A doctor can help you choose.
Can trans women take PrEP with hormones?
Yes, many do. Tell the doctor about your hormones so they can check for interactions and choose the right PrEP option.
Do I have to tell the doctor what sex I have?
You don't have to, but it helps. It decides which swabs you need, so infections in the throat or rectum aren't missed.
Will my results stay private?
They should. Ask any clinic who can see your results and how they are sent to you.
Talk to us in confidence
Whether you need PrEP, a check-up or urgent PEP, you deserve care that treats you with respect. Ask us anything, in your own words.
Message a doctor privately on WhatsApp about LGBTQ+ sexual health care.