Welcome to OutUK's six week series on Sexual Health for gay men brought to you in association with the NHS. We will have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. For this first week we have some general information on all of those topics. So, have you had unprotected sex? Maybe you're worried about something? Here's what to do and where to go if you need help urgently.  Could I have a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?If you have had unprotected sex (without a condom), there's a chance you could have caught a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Arrange to get tested if you:
If you're sexually active, either stop having sex or make sure you use a condom until you get your test results and know for sure whether or not you have an STI. If you do have an STI, using a condom will help prevent passing it on. Your sexual partners should also get tested. You can get free, confidential advice and treatment from your GP or specialist clinics in your area, including if you're under 16. Hospitals often have sexual health clinics (also known as GUM clinics), which test for and treat STIs. There are also lots of places that are set up especially for young people. Most STIs can be easily treated, so don't be scared of having a test and finding you do have an STI. Find sexual health information and support  STIsIf you have sex without a condom or the condom splits or comes off, you're also at risk of getting an STI. If this happens and you're worried you have caught an STI, you can get confidential help and advice in your local area, as well as free testing for STIs, at:
Find sexual health information and support STI symptomsThe symptoms of an STI can include:
Go to a sexual health clinic if:
Many STIs have no symptoms at all, like HIV. The only way to know for sure is to get tested. You can see a GP, but they'll probably refer you to a sexual health clinic if they think you may have an STI. Sexual health clinics treat problems with the genitals and urine system. You can usually turn up without an appointment. You'll often get test results quicker than from the GP and you may not have to pay a prescription fee for treatment.  ChlamydiaChlamydia is one of the most common STIs in the UK. It can be easily tested for and testing is free and confidential at a sexual health clinic or GP surgery. You can also buy chlamydia testing kits to use at home, with free tests available online for 15- to 24-year-olds. Find free chlamydia home test kits for under-25s. How do you get Chlamydia?It's passed on through unprotected sex (sex without a condom) and is particularly common in sexually active teenagers and young adults. For men, sexually active and under 25 in England, it's recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year if you are not using condoms with new or casual partners. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection. The bacteria are usually spread through sex or contact with infected genital fluid (semen). You can get chlamydia through:
Chlamydia cannot be passed on through casual contact, such as kissing and hugging, or from sharing baths, towels, swimming pools, toilet seats or cutlery. How do you treat Chlamydia?Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics. You can get treatment from a sexual health clinic.You may be given a course of Doxycycline to take for a week or Azithromycin to take once a day for 3 days. If you have doxycycline, you should not have sex (including oral sex) until you and your current sexual partner have finished treatment. If you have azithromycin, you should wait 7 days after treatment before having sex (including oral sex). It's important that your current sexual partner and any other recent sexual partners you have had are also tested and treated to help stop the spread of the infection. Under-25s who have chlamydia should be offered another test 3 to 6 months after being treated. This is because young adults who test positive for chlamydia are at increased risk of catching it again. Sexual health or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics can help you contact your sexual partners. Either you or the clinic can speak to them, or they can be sent a note advising them to get tested. The note will not have your name on it, so your confidentiality will be protected.  I've been pushed into sexIf someone has forced or persuaded you into a sexual situation you're uncomfortable with, help is available. You can call the national sexual health helpline free on 0300 123 7123, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 4pm. Your call will be treated with sensitivity and in strict confidence. You can also contact a sexual assault referral centre (SARC), where you can get specialist support and medical care if you have been sexually assaulted. A sexual assault can happen anywhere, including in your home, and is more likely to be carried out by someone you know rather than a stranger. Find rape and sexual assault support services, including SARCs. You can also ask at your GP surgery, contraceptive clinic or sexual health clinic. Find out more about help after rape and sexual assault, either for yourself or someone you know.
OutSpoken Sexual HealthThroughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The other topics covered in this series include: |
| This item was in brought to you association with NHS website. Follow the links above for more information and don't forget to check out OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health which features items on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. This week our topic is: S - Shingles. |
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