Sexual health including safer sex
It is essential to practice safer sex to protect yourself, and your partner(s), from STIs and unplanned pregnancies.
- An STI can be passed from one person to another through unprotected sexual activity
- Safer sex involves using a condom correctly every time you have sex
- Not all STIs have symptoms, some infections don’t show signs for weeks or months and some can have symptoms that can appear and then go away
- The only way to know if you have an STI is to get tested.
- Without getting tested and completing treatment you can have an STI and pass it on to someone else.
- Testing and treatment are free, and immigration status does not affect this.
- Men who have sex with men should get tested every 6-12 months and every 3 months if they are having unprotected sex
- It is recommended to test for STIs if/when you change partners
- If you have sex regularly with different people, it is recommended to get tested every 3 months
- You don’t need to have lots of sexual partners to be at risk of an STI.
- STI testing is quick, easy, painless, and confidential and all STIs are treatable
- If you are aged 16 or over, you can order a free STI kit to your home
- If you have had unprotected sex, get tested.
- More information on STIs, how to access sexual health services and how to get tested for an STI