Sex can evoke powerful emotions - give it the respect it deserves. Find out the facts for yourself, and make up your own mind - don't let others make it up for you.
in this section
Contraception.
If you're under 16
Emergency contraception
Picture
Pregnant?
Sexually transmitted infections. HIV and AIDS
Sexual health and young men
For Contact Details see our A-Z
Check out the websites nhs.uk/worthtalkingabout, brook.org.uk, thesite.org or yorsexualhealth.org.uk
Brook also run a sexual health advice service for young people under 25. You can contact them in confidence on their helpline or text them for automated information. If you are under 19 you can call the 'worth talking about' helpline to talk in confidence about sex and sexual health matters. For Contact Details see our A-Z.
There are many different forms of contraception - making the right choice can be complicated. You will need to think about how reliable the method is, how easy it is to use, how it will affect your body and if it will protect you from sexually transmitted infections as well. Most forms of contraception need to be prescribed, and are usually free.
For advice about contraception and contraceptive prescriptions, go to Yorclinic - the new contraceptive and sexual health health clinic based at Monkgate or Acomb Health Centre or your GP. For Contact Details see our A-Z.
The Young People’s Sexual Health Outreach Team offer a confidential service to young people up to 19, and you can talk to them about anything to do with sexual health. They offer information, advice, prescriptions and treatment. They are based at Monkgate. Call them direct, or ask a support worker or teacher etc to put you in touch.
Condoms don't need a prescription, and you can pick them up for free from many of the places mentioned in this section. Castlegate and the health drop-ins at York College run C-card schemes, as well as drop-ins at some sixth forms. Once you have registered with a worker you'll be given a credit-card sized 'C-card'. You'll then be able to get free condoms regularly and without fuss. Condoms are also available from the health drop-in at Askham Bryan College.
Castlegate also offer pregnancy testing and chlamydia screening.
York College and Askham Bryan College both run contraceptive and sexual health drop-ins for condoms and other methods of contraception (as well as pregnancy testing and chlamydia screening). These services are free and confidential. Make an appointment at student services. There are also health drop-ins at most sixth forms and secondary schools (except All Saints and Manor).
For Contact Details see our A-Z.
You are still entitled to a confidential consultation with a doctor. You can also get treatment (e.g. a prescription for contraception, or condoms) in confidence if they are satisfied that you understand the information given, your choices and the possible consequences. They are legally obliged to encourage you to discuss the issue with your parents, but they cannot inform them without your consent, even if they refuse to treat you without your parent's permission. Call the 'worth talking about' helpline to talk to a worker in confidence. For Contact Details see our A-Z.
If you need contraception in an emergency - either because you have had unprotected sex or because something went wrong (e.g. you were using a condom which split) - go to Yorclinic (the new contraceptive and sexual health service) based at Monkgate. You can also see your GP or go to the Family Planning Clinic at Acomb Health Centre. Ask for an urgent appointment, or go to one of the drop-in sessions. For Contact Details and session times see our A-Z. There are now three options for emergency contraception:
• Levonelle (sometimes called the 'morning after' pill) is the most commonly used. It can be taken up to three days (72 hours) after having unprotected sex, but the sooner you take it the more effective it is. Levonelle is available from many places including Yorclinic, the Walk-in Centre, your GP, Family Planning at Acomb Health Centre, as well as free of charge from most chemists (for under 24's). If you are in school, sixth form or college you can get it from your health drop in (except for those at All Saints and Manor schools). You can also buy it over the counter at chemists (approx £25).
• EllaOne - is a new type of emergency contraceptive pill that can be taken up to five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. It is only available on prescription.
• Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD or ‘coil’) is a small plastic and copper device, fitted inside your womb by a doctor or nurse. It must be fitted within five days of unprotected sex. It is the most effective method of emergency contraception. Contact Yorclinic for advice.
For Contact Details see our A-Z
| jump to last picture | |
You can get a free test 'while you wait' at Castlegate, the new Yorclinic at Monkgate or Family Planning at Acomb Health Centre. If you are in school, sixth form or college you can get a test at your health drop in (except for those at All Saints and Manor school). You can also go to your GP. For Contact Details see our A-Z.
You can also buy a home pregnancy testing kit at most chemists.
IF YOU ARE PREGNANT
It can be very difficult to decide what to do if you are unexpectedly pregnant. To talk to someone who can give you information and help you think things through without making your mind up for you, contact the Young People's Sexual Health Outreach Team at Monkgate Health Centre, or Castlegate.
If you decide to have a termination (abortion)
If you decide to have a termination, you will need to contact BPAS (British Pregnancy Advisory Service) who are a specialist clinic offering terminations. They will make an appointment for you to have an assessment, and then book you in for a termination. All terminations now take place outside of York and are paid for by the NHS. If you want support to do this, go to your GP or Yorclinic (based at Monkgate) or ask at Castlegate. More information at bpas.org or call their helpline. For Contact Details see our A-Z.
You do need to talk to someone as soon as possible, as termination is more straightforward if you are less than 12 weeks pregnant. (This is usually counted from the first day of your last period, not from the date you had 'unprotected' sex). Later terminations are still safe but a different method is used.
Don’t try and get rid of it yourself - this is very dangerous.
Confidentiality - you can ask for a termination even if you are under 16 and it can in some cases be done without your parents’ knowledge or consent – see here for more information about confidential treatment. If you are 16 or over you do not need a parent’s consent. They will not be told unless you wish them to be.
If you decide to continue with the pregnancy
... then there are a lots of things you need to start sorting out! You will find more information about pregnancy, health, birth, bringing up a child etc. in the ‘Being a Parent’ section.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS - STI's
STI's are very common - you can become infected however few or many sexual partners you have. Most STI's (except HIV) are easily treated. If you notice any unusual discharge, sores or itching in your genital area, or a burning sensation when you pee, you may have an infection that needs treating. Often, there are no symptoms, so if your partner has an infection, don't wait for symptoms - get yourself checked out too. It makes sense to get yourself checked out regularly, and especially if you have a new partner.
Have a look at brook.org.uk for information on most STI's and how to recognise them.
If you think you have an STI, or just want to get yourself checked out, go to Yorclinic (the new contraceptive and sexual health clinic) based at Monkgate. Information and leaflets are available from Castlegate, GP surgeries etc. For Contact Details see our A-Z
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common STI. It is very easy to treat, but can make you infertile if ignored for too long. Testing for it is simple (you just need to give a urine sample and your phone number to receive your results!)
Yorscreen offers free chlamydia testing and treatment to under 25’s, or you can ring and ask for a postal kit to be sent to you. Testing is also available from Castlegate, the Walk in Centre or Yorclinic - the new contraceptive and sexual health clinic based at Monkgate. Also available at some GP’s. Students of York College and Askham Bryan College can go to their sexual health drop-in.
You can also request a postal testing kit, by texting TEST to 80010 followed by your name, age, address and postcode, or online at yorsexualhealth.org.uk
HIV and AIDS
The HIV virus is passed from person to person in bodily fluids such as blood, semen and vaginal fluids. The best way to protect yourself from the virus is to make sure you use a condom, and find out about other forms of safer sex. If you inject, never share needles. Compass One and some chemists offer a needle exchange.
If you think you've been exposed to HIV there is a new drug treatment called PEP that may protect you if started within 72 hours (the earlier the better). Look on mesmac.co.uk for advice about accessing it (you might need to argue for it), or go to A+E asap.
If you are worried that you may have HIV, you can get a confidential HIV test at the Yorclinic, the new contraceptive and sexual health clinic at Monkgate. For more information, or support in living with HIV or AIDS, contact:
North Yorkshire AIDS Action - a service to support those with HIV and Aids and their carers. They also offer a drop-in for collecting leaflets, the gay press, free condoms etc. You can also make an appointment to see a worker.
Compass One - (see here for more information about Compass) - They offer a needle exchange and HIV tests for drug users as well as ongoing support.
MESMAC - sexual health information, free condoms, support and counselling for gay men, bisexual men, and men who have sex with other men.
For Contact Details see our A-Z.
If you think that sexual health, contraception and pregnancy are only for women to worry about - think again! For example, men are just as much at risk of sexually transmitted infections as women, and the symptoms can be just as severe. If you are going to have sex, the only way to keep yourself - and others - safe is to carry condoms, and use them.
Pregnancy - an issue for men too!
Some myths dispelled:
• a woman can get pregnant the first time she has sex
• your partner can get pregnant even if you pull out before you come!
An unwanted or unexpected pregnancy is one of the most life altering experiences a person can go through. Whilst it is ultimately the woman's decision as to whether she goes ahead with a pregnancy or decides to have a termination, it can have far reaching consequences for you too. Termination can be extremely traumatic for both. If your partner decides to go ahead with the pregnancy then having a child is a major undertaking. If you don't stay together you will still by law have financial responsibility for the child - even if you have no contact with them.
Which ever way you look at it, unless you're both sure that being parents is what you want, the best option is to make sure your partner doesn't get pregnant in the first place - and this is just as much your responsibility as hers.