All category III chronic prostatitis cases in two hospital sites were retrospectively reviewed from the year 2000 until 2005. The mean age of the patients was 38.7 years. Of these, 56.6% were St Bartholomew's Genitourinary Medicine Department patients and 43.5% were Southend Genitourinary Medicine Clinic patients. We observed that 33.1% of these had at least one transrectal ultrasound of the prostate. The commonest abnormal findings in transrectal ultrasounds of the prostate of the series were focal calcification (16.2%), calculi (9.3%) and inflammatory changes (5.4%). Of this series, 35% were lost to follow-up. The vast majority of the remainder got better over periods ranging from approximately two weeks to approximately three years.

The role of the nurse is evolving, and nurses are increasingly undertaking responsibilities traditionally carried out by medical personnel. One area of practice in which nurses' roles have become more advanced is genitourinary medicine (GUM), with the development of nurse-led GUM clinics. There has been an escalating incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV in society, despite a concerted improvement in accessibility and delivery of GUM services. This has led to a greater pressure on GUM departments, which provide services in detection and treatment of STIs, as well as health promotion, to limit further/ onward transmission of infections. This article explores issues around nurse-led GUM clinics and how these clinics can work to halt the rising

The incidence of genital herpes has increased over the previous decade and presents in patients in primary care, contraceptive clinics, and sexual health or genitourinary medicine clinics. In this article, ways of minimizing the discomfort and emotional impact of this poorly understood viral infection and the challenges that health professionals face when dealing with such sensitive issues are discussed.

A diagnosis of genital warts is frequently associated with emotional feelings of guilt, anger, and disgust, writes Alison Keefe

Health Protection Agency data in 2011 have revealed another increase in diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) of 2% in the UK, with nearly 247 000 new cases, which reverses a small decline in the previous year. Increased rates are partly due to increased rates of STI testing and better tests. Gonorrhoea, genital warts, herpes, chlamydia, and syphilis all rose in incidence, especially among young heterosexual adults aged 15–24 years and men who have sex with men, who continue to have the highest risk. The data also include the incidence of infestation with the ectoparasites pubic lice and scabies mites, which present in genitourinary medicine clinics; however, these conditions may also present in primary care and other settings where healthcare providers may also have an opportunity to screen for concurrent STIs. In this article, factors associated with infestation and STIs are discussed.