Help! I need some support now!

You may not feel very confident about sex, or you might not have had much information about sexual relationships at School. You may have done something you are worried about, and feel you would like to get it checked out. These pages will give you information about looking after your sexual health, and what help and support is available locally and nationally.

We ALL need support from time to time, and people who work in sexual health services are highly trained - to be honest they've seen it all before so there's no need to be embarrassed!

All services will be confidential, and you will only have to give the minimum of information about yourself. So don't worry sit worrying about it - there's plenty of help and advice out there - do something about it!

Why look after your sexual health?

When we are ill we go to a doctor. If we have a toothache we book up a dentists appointment. Its the same with sex. Every now and then its good to have a sexual health check up as there are infections that can be passed between partners during sexual activity. We can also take precautions to minimise the risks of catching these sexual health infections.

Everybody, gay, straight, bi, trans or unsure has a right to have a healthy and enjoyable sex life. However the sad fact is that many LGBT young people don't get the information and support they need about sex and relationships. Sometimes young people are told that being LGBT is wrong, or they may hear the word 'gay' being thrown around as an insult at School. All this can leave LGBT young people feeling bad about themselves and their emerging identity. When young people feel bad about themselves they may not take care of their health and wellbeing, and this includes their sexual health.

Our message to you is that it's totally normal and ok to be lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgendered, and it's ok to have sex. If you are sexually active (or thinking about having sex) there are some really important things you need to know that will help you to have fun whilst keeping yourself as safe as you can from STI's. One good way of keeping on top of your sexual health is to make regular visits to a sexual health service (yearly, or if you are having sex with lots of partners, twice yearly).

What are sexual health services?

A sexual health service is a place where you can go for advice and treatment about anything related to sex including safer sex and sexually transmitted infections (STI's) pregnancy and contraception.

Male or female, young or old, LGBT or unsure; anyone can access sexual health services including under 16s. Everything is confidential. This means that any information you give will not be shared without your permission. Only in extreme circumstances can information be passed on without your permission. If you have any concerns about who will see your medical records, talk to your GP, or clinic staff.

There are 2 main types of sexual health services; medical services and youth support services (like Allsorts). Medical based services would include GPs, Family Planning Services and GUM clinics. All advice, information and treatment for sexual health is free. If you go to your GP you may have to pay a prescription charge. (If you would like further information on family planning services and contraception please visit the So What Is Sexual Health? Website www.swish.org.uk)

What is a Sexual Health Clinic?

A sexual health clinic is a place you can go for help and advice about sexually transmitted infections (STI's). Sexual health clinics are often referred to as GUM clinics (which stands for Genito-Urinary-Medicine).

• talk to someone confidentially about your concerns and worries.
• be tested to see if you have any infections (this is known as screening)
• be tested for HIV
• be treated for infections you may have picked up
• be vaccinated against some infections like Hepatitis A and B
• get free condoms and lubrication
• get contraceptives and contraceptive advice
• get special sessions if you have been sexually assaulted
• get psychosexual counselling
• get PEP (post exposure prophylaxis; see below)

People often think that sexual health clinics are embarrassing places where unfriendly staff poke and prod you - this is a myth! Staff are highly trained. They understand that infections affecting private areas can be embarrassing. They will be gentle and respectful (lets face it, you're not going to shock them, they have seen it all before!), and they are not going to make you feel bad for picking up an infection.

Some GUM clinics hold separate sessions for men, women, young people, and gay men. If you choose to go to a GUM clinic, you can go to any in the country. You do not need a referral from your GP.

Sexual Health Clinics are generally relaxed and comfortable places. All services are free and tests are usually simple and painless (some tests will need a blood sample taken from your arm). You can often choose how to collect your test results - either by booking a return appointment, or you may be offered a phone call, text and/or letter. If you agree, they can also help to confidentially trace previous sexual partners who may need treatment - this is called partner notification.

Confidentiality

GUM clinics have very strict confidentiality rules. Everything you tell them is highly confidential and no information about your attendance is passed on to anyone outside of the GUM service (like your parents, teachers, social workers etc) without your knowing about it and agreeing to it. The only time this may be different is if you were to tell a staff member that you or someone else you know is in a dangerous situation and that telling someone else may prevent you or them from being harmed. If a member of staff felt that they had to pass on information without your permission, they would still inform you of what they were going to do.

What happens at a sexual health service?

This can vary depending on where you go. If you are a new patient at a GUM, sexual health or family planning clinic, you will be asked to fill in a registration form with details of your name and address. This information will be kept confidential. You will then see a doctor, nurse or health adviser.

The check-up

The doctor, nurse or health adviser will talk to you about your concerns. They will need to ask you questions about your sex life. If you are concerned about STIs they will ask about any signs and/or symptoms that you have. You might feel embarrassed, but try to be honest, as these questions help the clinic to do the correct tests. If you are not sure why the questions are being asked - just say so. You may need to have some tests. These usually involve an examination and the testing of some samples. In both men and women this may mean:

• an examination of your genitals, mouth, anus and skin to look for any obvious signs of infection
• testing a sample of your urine
• having blood taken (if you are being tested for syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis A, B and C)
• taking swabs from the urethra (tube where you urinate) and any sores and blisters

In women, the tests might also include:

• taking swabs from the vagina and cervix (entrance to the womb)
• having an internal examination

There are many myths about how swabs are done. A swab looks like a cotton bud, but is smaller and rounded. The swab is wiped over parts of the body that could be infected and easily picks up samples of discharge and cells. It only takes a few seconds and is not usually painful, though it may be uncomfortable for a moment. You will not automatically be tested for all infections. Ask the doctor or nurse which tests they are planning to do, and talk to them about anything you are not sure about. All tests are optional and should only be done with your permission. Sometimes it is too soon to do some of the tests and you may be given another appointment for a later date.

The test results

You may get some of the test results and any necessary treatment, such as antibiotics, straightaway. Some samples have to be sent away to a laboratory so the results take longer to come back. The service that you are attending will arrange with you how you will get these results to maintain your confidentiality.

Telling your partner

If you have an STI then it is very important that your current sexual partner and any other recent partners are also offered testing and treatment. The staff at the clinic or doctor's surgery can discuss with you how you might tell your partner(s). If you feel that this will be too difficult, GUM clinics can give you a 'contact slip' to send to your partner(s) or, with your permission, the clinic can do this for you. The slip explains to the person that they may have been exposed to an STI and suggests that they go for a check-up. It does not have your name on it, so your confidentiality is protected. This is called partner notification. It's strongly advised you do tell your partner(s) but it is not compulsory.

PEP

Sometimes sex isn't always as safe as we would like it to be (for example if a condom splits during sex). PEP (which stands for Post Exposure Prophylaxis) is a drug treatment that can be given up to 72 hours (3 days) after sex if someone thinks they may have been exposed to HIV. PEP is an intensive 4 week course of anti HIV medicines.

Unwanted Pregnancy

If a condom fails and you have a concern about an unwanted pregnancy, emergency contraception is an option. This can be taken up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex, however the sooner it is taken the more effective it will be in preventing a pregnancy. Again this would be available at your local GUM clinic.