Do you know where to go for advice on sexual health or sexually transmitted infections?
As you’re under 25, did you know chlamydia is the highest STI for your age?
It does not always display any symptoms so people may not be aware they have an infection.
There is a free confidential test for this.
Can I talk with you about relationships and sexual health? Do you know how to take care of your sexual health?
Are you worried about pregnancy after unprotected sex, that is sexual activity without using contraception, or think your contraception might have failed?
You can use emergency contraception up to five days after unprotected sex. Emergency contraception is more effective at preventing pregnancy the earlier it is used. But emergency contraception is not as effective as using other methods of routine contraception.
Are you worried about STIs/ HIV after unprotected sex, that is, sexual activity without using a condom, or think the condom might have failed?
Not everyone who has a sexually transmitted infection has signs and/or symptoms. Sometimes these don’t appear for weeks or months and sometimes they go away, but you can still have the infection and pass it on to someone else.
If you have symptoms you should get an STI test. Even if you don’t have symptoms you should think about getting tested if:
you have recently had unprotected sex, including oral sex, with a new partner
you, or a partner, have sex with other people without using a condom
a partner has symptoms.
Other useful regional services:
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or if the contraception you have used has failed – for example, a condom has split or you have missed a pill.
There are 2 types of emergency contraception:
- the emergency contraceptive pill – Levonelle or ellaOne (the "morning after" pill)
- the intrauterine device (IUD or coil)
Contraception
Contraception refers to the methods that are used to prevent pregnancy. Some methods of contraception can also be used to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Contraception is FREE on the NHS for all ages and you can get it from a range of places including Brook services and your GP.
STI and HIV Prevention, Testing and Treatment
Both male condoms and female condoms are available. They come in a variety of colours, textures, materials and flavours. A condom is the most effective form of protection against HIV and other STIs. It can be used for vaginal and anal sex, and for oral sex performed on men. HIV can be passed on before ejaculation through pre-cum and vaginal secretions, and from the anus. It's very important condoms are put on before any sexual contact occurs between the penis, vagina, mouth or anus.
Common concerns around sex
It’s common to experience some physical, emotional or psychological sexual difficulty at some point in your life. Lots of things can effect the way you feel about and experience sex such as anxiety, relationship troubles, stress or medication side effects.
Your local sexual health clinic or GP should be able to explore if there might be physical or psychological causes and discuss potential treatment options to help make sex easier, more pleasurable or less painful. NHS clinics should also have associated psychosexual counselling services that can provide information, support and treatment with sexual problems.
You may notice your sexual needs or desires start affecting your relationships, finances or job and you may want some help managing this. Or you may be struggling with a low sex drive, or ‘libido’ and want to explore ways to enjoy sex more. It is common for females to experience some pain during sex or find it difficult to reach an orgasm. It is also estimated that 1 in 10 men are affected by premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction.
Brook
YOUR FREE & CONFIDENTIAL SEXUAL HEALTH & WELLBEING EXPERTS
Disrespect NoBody
There’s a person attached to every body, respect both.
Healthy relationships are all about respecting each other. You should feel loved, safe and free to be yourself.
Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships
We're here for you, whatever's on your mind. We'll support you. Guide you. Help you make decisions that are right for you.
Our tips and techniques, ideas and inspiration, can help you feel more in control. And you can access them in your own time, at your own pace!
Tea Consent
A video showcasing consent
It Starts With Me
We now have the tools to stop HIV, but it takes each of us to make it happen.
The most common way to get HIV is by having unprotected sex with someone who doesn’t know they have it.
NHS Sexual Health
Many people with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) do not get symptoms, so it's worth getting tested even if you feel fine. If you think you have an STI, the earlier you're tested, the sooner treatment can be given if it's needed.
Contraception Choices
There are many types of contraception available and none are perfect.
The Contraception Choices website provides honest information to help weigh up the pros and cons.
National Sexual Health Helpline
If you would like to talk to someone about a sexual health you can call the national sexual health helpline free on 0300 123 7123. Your call will be treated with sensitivity and in the strictest confidence. The Sexual Health helpline is open from 9am - 8pm Monday to Friday.
FFLAG
FFLAG is a national voluntary organisation and registered charity. We are dedicated to supporting parents and families and their LGBT+ members.
We offer support to local parents groups and contacts in their efforts to help parents and families understand, accept and support their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members with love and pride. FFLAG volunteers are parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans children supported by other volunteers.
These young people and their families face serious homophobia and transphobia in our society, which brings in its wake prejudice, bullying and alienation.
Gendered Intelligence
Gendered Intelligence, established in 2008, is a registered charity that exists to increase understandings of gender diversity and improve trans people's quality of life.
We are a trans-led and trans-involving grassroots organisation with a wealth of lived experience, community connections of many kinds, and a depth and breadth of trans community knowledge that is second to none. We believe everyone can be intelligent about gender!
Free Testing HIV
Self-sampling HIV & syphilis test kits are available to people from certain areas in England, Return your sample to our lab, and we will text you with your result.