STI's are spread by having unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex. If you use condoms every time you have sex you are less likely to get an STI or HIV/AIDS.
Some of the most common symptoms of STIs are discharges or smells coming from the vagina or penis. You may also have itching or sores around your genitals. However, many STIs have no symptoms and you may not know that you are infected.
If you think you might have an STI, even if you have no symptoms, you can get a check-up at your GP, a GUM (Geno Urinary Medicine) clinic or a family planning clinic.
Call the NHS Helpline on 0800 22 44 88 for your nearest clinic.
If
you have missed your period
and are worried about
being pregnant you can
either go to your doctor,
a family planning clinic
or you can get a pregnancy
testing kit from a chemist.
If
you
are
pregnant
you
are
faced
with
a
very
important
and
difficult
decision.
You
need
advice
or
counselling
from
someone
you
can
trust.
A
family
planning
clinic
can
really
help.
Morning
After Pill -
if you have had unprotected
sex or think your contraception
might have failed you
can get this to prevent
pregnancy. It is free from family planning clinics or with a prescription from your GP. You can also buy it over the counter from most pharmacies without a prescription. You need to take it as soon as possible and within 72 hours of having sex.
If you want more information about contraception, safe sex or pregnancy options, 100% confidential advice is available at your GP, GUM clinics and some hospital clinics.
Find out where your nearest
one is by calling the NHS
Helpline on 0800
22 44 88 or asking your
local youth information
project .
Condoms will protect you from catching most STIs, so you should always use one when you have sex. Never use oil based products like baby oil or vaseline with condoms as they can damage them and stop them working.
If
you want free condoms you can get
them from GUM clinics,
STI clinics, family planning
clinics, other sexual
health clinics, health
centres and some youth
information projects.
You can also buy them
at garages, supermarkets,
chemists, from machines
in pubs, clubs and
other public places.
There is no legal minimum
age at which you can buy
or be given condoms.
Call the NHS helpline on 0800 22 44 88 for your nearest free condom scheme.
