Where can I get sexual health advice, now?

Sexually transmitted infection’s (STI’s)?

If you have had unprotected sex (without a condom) or the condom splits or comes off, there’s a chance you could have caught an STI.

Arrange to get tested if you:

• Haven’t got symptoms, but are worried you might have an STI
• Have symptoms, such as unusual discharge
• Feel something is wrong

If you’re sexually active; either stop having sex or make sure you use a condom until you know for sure whether or not you have an STI.

Hospitals often have sexual health clinics (also known as GUM clinics) which test and treat STI’s.  

I might be pregnant

You can get pregnant if you have sex without a condom or the condom splits or comes off. In this case, to avoid pregnancy you can either:

• Take the emergency contraceptive pill (sometimes called the morning after pill), up to 72 hours (3 days) or 120 hours (5 days) after having unprotected sex, depending on the type of pill
• Have an intrauterine device (IUD), sometimes called a coil, fitted up to 120 hours after having unprotected sex

You should take a pregnancy test if your next period doesn’t arrive when you expect it to.

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is one of the most common STI’s in the UK.

It can be easily tested for, and testing is free and confidential at a sexual health clinic or GP surgery.

You can also buy chlamydia testing kits to use at home, with free tests available online for 15 – 24 year olds.

Further information:

• British Pregnancy Advisory Service (bpas) – provides advice and support about contraception, abortion and sexual health; call the helpline on 03457 30 40 30, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or email info@bpas.org
• Brook – the young people's sexual health charity for under-25s provides advice, support and information about your nearest sexual health clinic
• FPA – provides information about individual methods of contraception, STIs, pregnancy choices, abortion and planning a pregnancy
• Switchboard: the LGBT+ helpline – provides an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans (transgender, transsexual, transvestite) people; call the helpline on 0300 330 0630, open 10am to 11pm daily
• Terrence Higgins Trust – provides information, support and advice about HIV and sexual health; call the helpline on 0808 802 1221, open 10am to 8pm Monday to Friday
• Health for Teens – includes sexual health information and advice for teenagers