Dr Massimo Giola MD, PhD, FRACP, FAChHSM is a specialist in Infectious Diseases (Italy, 1996) and in Sexual Health Medicine (New Zealand, 2015) practicing in Tauranga. He has a PhD in Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology (Italy, 2008).
Massimo completed his medical training in Italy and has practiced in New Zealand since 2009. He holds the vocational registrations in Internal Medicine (Infectious Diseases) and Sexual Health Medicine with the Medical Council of New Zealand. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, and a Fellow of the Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine.
He has completed in 2023 a Masters in Psychosexology. His expertise is in Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Sexual Health Medicine (including Transgender Medicine, Medical Sexology, and Men's Sexual Health).
In addition to his private practice in infectious diseases/sexual health/medical sexology/men's sexual health/transgender medicine, Massimo also works as an HIV & Sexual Health Physician at Te Whatu Ora – Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty and Te Whatu Ora - Lakes.
What are Infectious and Tropical Diseases?
Infectious diseases are all the conditions caused by a living organism (virus, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths) affecting another living organism (e.g. humans). They are not necessarily contagious (spreading directly from one person to another). Tropical infections are typically contracted by travelling to a tropical country from a temperate climate country, like New Zealand.
What is Sexual Health Medicine?
Sexual Health Medicine includes: the prevention, testing, treatment and management of sexually transmitted infections; genital skin problems; genital pain problems; sexual dysfunction; reproductive health including contraception; and sexual assault care. Other areas of expertise include the sexual health of young people (age >16); sex workers; and LGBTQIA+ people.
What is Sexology?
Sexology deals with sexual dysfunctions of both men and women. Examples of male sexual issues include erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, delayed or absent ejaculation, anorgasmia, hypoactive sexual desire (low libido). Examples of female sexual dysfunction include dyspareunia, vaginismus, anorgasmia, hypoactive sexual desire.
What is Transgender Medicine?
Transgender medicine assists people who were assigned to either male or female sex at birth, but whose gender identity is non-congruent with the sex at birth, in achieving a better alignment between their bodies and minds by prescribing gender-affirming hormonal therapies.
