Silent STIs!
It's very common for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) to not have symptoms. In fact, 7 out of every 10 people with STIs show no signs or symptoms at all! However, if left untreated, STIs can cause health issues like infertility, and they can be transmitted to your sexual partners. That's why it's important for sexually active people to get tested regularly every 3- 6 months, and get treated if do test positive.
Not all condoms are made of latex!
Some people have an allergy to latex. This is why some condoms are made of latex free materials like polyurethane or polyisoprene. Latex-free condoms offer same level of protection against STIs as standard latex condoms.
I'm on contraception, and I don’t see my period - should I be worried?
It is possible for some types of contraception to delay or prevent menstrual bleeding. Hormonal contraceptive options like the implant, the contraceptive injection, the patch, Intra-Uterine system (IUS, also known as the coil) and Progesterone-Only-Pills (POP, or the mini pill) can cause a delay in menstrual bleeding - or stop it altogether! If you are concerned about possible pregnancy due to missed refill for pills or missed appointments for contraceptive injection, please check-in with a sexual health nurse immediately.
There have been huge breakthroughs in HIV treatment!
People living with HIV who are on effective treatment can reduce their viral load to an undetectable amount. An undetectable viral load cannot be passed on to anyone! We call this U Equals U = undetectable equals untransmissible! It's great news and means people on effective HIV treatment can't pass it on to their partners, while parents can have children and breastfeed without any risk of passing it on to their child.
The most common STI is....
Chlamydia is the most common STI in young people, and the latest statistics show it has risen 24.4% in the last year. You can protect yourself by using barrier contraceptives (such as condoms, femidoms or dental dams) and getting tested regularly.
You can get free condoms?!
There area number of different initiatives providing free condoms for young people. METRO runs a number of these through Get It. If you're aged 16-24 in Bexley, Kent, Medway, Merton, Wandsworth or Richmond, or aged over 16 in Hertfordshire: you could be getting free condoms and more posted out to you discretely, or available to pick up from pharmacies near you. Find out more.
Find out more about what sexual health services we currently offer here.