Sexual Health

Sexual health is about having a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships. It involves being informed, making safe choices, and having access to healthcare services that support your sexual well-being.

Key Aspects of Sexual Health

  1. Education and Awareness:
    • Understanding your body and how it works.
    • Knowing about different types of contraception and how to use them.
    • Being aware of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and how to prevent them.
  2. Safe Practices:
    • Using condoms and other barriers to protect against STIs and unwanted pregnancies.
    • Getting regular check-ups and screenings for STIs.
    • Communicating openly with your partner about sexual health and boundaries.
  3. Access to Services:
    • Having access to sexual health clinics and services for testing, treatment, and advice.
    • Accessing support services if you've experienced sexual assault or need help with sexual health issues.
  4. Mental and Emotional Well-being:
    • Feeling comfortable and confident in your sexual identity and relationships.
    • Seeking help if you're experiencing issues like anxiety, depression, or trauma related to your sexual health.
    • Understanding that sexual health is an important part of overall health and well-being.

Remember, sexual health is a vital part of your overall health, and taking care of it is important.  The Very Brief Intervention section below is targeted towards improving early diagnosis and treatment. The Local Support and Contact Details section, lists all the sexual health services that are available throughout the region.

Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection, with sexually active young people at highest risk. As chlamydia often has no symptoms and can have serious health consequences (eg pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertility) opportunistic screening remains an essential element of good quality sexual health services for young adults.

The National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) is to control chlamydia through early detection and treatment of asymptomatic infection, so reducing onward transmission and the consequences of untreated infection for the under 25’s. Click here for further information on NCSP. 

Very Brief Intervention

Ask

 

Would you know where to go to for advice on sexual health or sexually transmitted infections?

Have you heard of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) – it offers all young people the chance to have a confidential free, test for Chlamydia

I see that you are under 25, Did you know that Chlamydia is the highest STI for your age range and it generally doesn’t display any symptoms so you may not be aware that you have an infection?

Assist

Would you like me to provide you with some information on how to get tested and the benefits?

While patients are highly accepting of being offered a screen, they have reported that it was very important that they did not have to ask. Many patients mentioned how helpful they would find it to have information clearly available in the practice stating the sexual health services are on offer, as they were unaware that they could have those services there.

Patients have a highly pragmatic response to a routine offer. They felt it was a sensible way of addressing their sexual health.

This question may be promoted from some verbal or visual prompts i.e. Posters or information displayed about the NCSP or they mentioned they are going on a “night out”.

It’s important that they feel this is a routine offer based on their age group only

“The patient doesn’t have to raise it with the doctor, the doctor should raise it with you. It should just be a standard thing. Then you know you’re not being singled out” (Male aged 22)

Inform them that the test:

  • is easy 
  • services are young people friendly  
  • confidential  
  • treatment is free 

Act

Self Care

  • For information about sexual health and contraception visit the FPA sexual health charity website www.fpa.org.uk or the sexual health pages of www.nhs.uk
  • You can call the national sexual health helpline free on 0300 123 7123. Calls will be treated with sensitivity and in strict confidence. The Sexual Health Helpline is open from 9am-8pm, Monday-Friday.
  • Posters and leaflets can be ordered through the NCSP website or more information can be found via NHS choices 

Local Support and Contact Details