On this page: Are you ready? | Quiz | Contraception advice | Emergency contraception | STIs | I think I might be pregnant | Further information
Sexual healthAre you ready?Deciding when is the right time to have sex with a new partner can sometimes be really confusing. It can be very disappointing if it isn't something you are 100% sure that you want to do. You may feel lots of pressure from friends or your partner and feel like everyone has done it, except you.The fact is that most young people don't have sex until they are over 16, so some of what you hear could just be bragging because they also think everyone else has done it except them. Before you have sex for the first time it is best to try and talk to your boyfriend or girlfriend about how you feel and what you are comfortable with. It should be a decision that you both make together and you will need to talk about contraception and safer sex. You're both responsible for protecting yourselves and each other from a sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy. Contraception AdviceIf you have made the decision to have sex then it is important to consider things like contraception. Even if you trust your partner, you can't tell by looking whether they have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). They might not even know they have one, as sometimes there are no symptoms.Condoms are the best protection against both pregnancy and STI's. They come in a variety of sizes and varieties and you can get them FREE from family planning clinics, genito-urinary medicine clinics (GUM, or sometimes known as sexual health clinics) and some local youth clubs and Connexions bases. For further information on where to get them in Wandsworth and the rest of South West London go to www.gettingiton.org.uk or call 0800 28 29 30. There are also other forms of contraception, which you may want to consider using, alongside condoms, such as:
You can go along for a chat with your doctor, nurse or a health advisor at a young person's clinic, to get more information and decide what's best for you. Once you have decided they can prescribe them for FREE to you. Emergency ContraceptionIf you have had unprotected sex, the condom has split or you have forgotten to take your pill then don't panic. Emergency contraception (often known as the morning after pill) is available and can prevent pregnancy in most cases if taken in time. It can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. However, it's more effective the sooner you take it so it's best to act fast.You can get FREE emergency contraception from lots of places in Wandsworth, including family planning clinics, GUM clinics, most GP's and some pharmacists. For the place nearest to you go to www.gettingiton.org.uk or call 0800 28 29 30. Alternatively, you can have an IUD ('the coil') fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex. The IUD is a small plastic and copper device that is put into a girl's uterus (womb) by a specially trained doctor or a nurse. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's)If you have had unprotected sex or something went wrong like the condom split there is a chance you could have caught an STI. The best thing to do is to go and get tested at a GUM clinic as soon as possible. There are three young people only clinic sessions (for those aged under 19) in Wandsworth and they are all free, friendly and confidential. You can find details of these on www.gettingiton.org.uk or by calling 0800 28 29 30. The more general GUM clinics are also open to all young people as well, even if you are under 16.Chlamydia is the most common STI amongst young people. It is estimated that about one in ten 16-24 year olds have Chlamydia, so it's pretty easy to pick it up. The problem is that you often don't have any symptoms so don't know you've got it and it is a big deal because if left untreated it can lead to infertility. However, the good news is that it is easy to treat with a simple course of antibiotics, if caught early. I think I might be pregnant?If you think you or your partner might be pregnant the first thing is to find out for sure by taking a pregnancy test. You can get a FREE test and confidential advice at any family planning clinic, your GP or GUM clinics in Wandsworth (see www.gettingiton.org.uk or call 0800 28 29 30). Alternatively, you can buy a test from a pharmacy or supermarket.It is recommended that you talk to a professional so that you can discuss the options that are open to you. Anything you talk about will be kept confidential. No one else will be told you are pregnant without it being discussed with you first. Further InformationIf you need further information or advice on any of the above areas the following organisations and websites can help. All are free, friendly and confidential.Total Health @ Wandsworth (TH@W) Brook Sexwise fpa GUM clinics for 18's and under
Websites |
|||