What is Sexual Health?

Sexual health isn’t just about sex. It is also about your physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing. 

Our Youth Workers are trained in giving support and advice promoting good sexual health. We can provide you with DIY STI test kits and contraception, contact us for more information.

All conversations are confidential. The only time this may be different is if you tell us that you or someone else in a dangerous situation. Before having a chat with our youth workers confidentiality can be explained further so you have full understanding.

Sexual Health issues can include;

  • Staying safe – your safety is the most important thing
  • The law relating to sexual activity 
  • Sexuality 
  • Your human rights 
  • C – card inductions 
  • Support and advice around pregnancy 
  • Consent 
  • Pressure 
  • Body image 
  • Puberty 
  • Recognising healthy vs unhealthy relationships

STI's (Sexually Transmitted Infections)

Practicing safe sex can protect you from catching STI’s. Knowing signs and symptoms of S.T.I’s (remember, not everyone will experience these) is important as you will know when something is not right. Frequent S.T.I screening and safe sex are extremely important. 

Chlamydia
  • Burning or pain when passing urine
  • Discharge
  • Caused by bacteria
  • Can cause infertility
Gonorrhoea (the clap)
  • Burning or pain when passing urine
  • Yellow discharge
  • Can give females lower abdominal pains
  • More likely to have symptoms in males rather than females 
Genital warts
  • lumps and growths on the genital area
  • Does not cause any harm to the body 
Syphilis
  • 3 stages of infection (can show no symptoms)
  • Stage 1 – open sores
  • Stage 2 – rash (normally on palms of hands and soles of feet)
  • Stage 3 – can damage internal organs (if left untreated it can kill) 
HIV
  • Blood borne infection
  • No obvious symptoms
  • Can lay dormant for a long time
  • If undiagnosed/untreated it can lead to serious health problems ,even death
  • No cure but can be treated with drugs
Pubic lice (crabs)
  • itching
  • Passed by close skin contact
  • Black powder in underwear
  • You can see them as they are alive and moving
Herpes
  • Tingling or itching
  • Blisters or sores to the skin Feel like you have flu
  • Burning or pain when passing urine

Protection and Contraception

Did you know condoms are the only form of contraception that prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. 

There are many different types of contraception and protection for both male and females to have access to from sexual health clinics and GP’s. Our Youth Workers can give you advice and support you to decide with method of contraception right for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlgPkyh3_n8

Useful links