Sexual Health Week 2024 - stay Informed and healthy: Your Guide to Sexual Health

Sexual health week is from 9 September - 15 September. The theme this year is "Are you feeling it?" Before you have some fun in your relationships, it’s crucial to think about all the steps to maintain a healthy sex life.

Sexual health is an important, and sometimes overlooked topic when it comes to health. We are committed to providing sexual health services and resources to ensure that everyone has access to accurate information and quality care. Here's what you need to know to take charge of your sexual health.

What’s on?

We will be having outreach and walk-in ‘Quick Check’ appointments for STIs and HIV on the following days in London:

• Tuesday 10 September 12pm-2pm on Holloway Road in front of Archway Centre
• Wednesday 11 September 12pm-2pm on Tottenham Court Road in front of Mortimer Market Centre

 

Staff pictured doing some outreach work in London handing out leaflets.

The Sexual Health Outreach Health Promotion team CLASH&SHOC, will be attending Streets Fest on Thursday 12 September from 12pm-6pm at Finsbury park offering SH support advice and screening. 

Surrey's sexual health outreach team will also be visiting Freshers fayres across the County including Reigate, Redhill, Woking, Guildford, Godalming, Farnham, Egham.

 

Here are our top tips for good sexual health.

Talk – before committing to any form of sex with your partner, make sure you have discussed STI’s. It is also important to be open if you or your partner is having any other sexual partners.

Conversations also involve understanding one's own body and sexual rights, ensuring consensual and pleasurable sexual experiences. Remember to seek active consent from your partner (we love a resounding “YES”), rather than make assumptions that they are comfortable to carry on.

Test – have either you or your sexual partners ever been tested for STI’s? When was the last time you each tested? Is it time for both of you to re-test now?

Protect - Do you and your partner(s) discuss STI prevention?

If you use prevention tools, what methods do you use? (For example, external or internal condoms—also known as male or female condoms—dental dams, etc.)

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) - Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is used to reduce the risk of getting HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). PrEP can be used by anyone from a community or group that is most at risk of HIV, or people who have sex with people from those networks.

Find out more about PrEP by watching this video here.

Contraception - Are you or your partner using contraception or practicing any form of birth control? Would you like to talk about ways to prevent pregnancy? Do you need any information on contraception?

The Importance of Regular Check-Ups

Regular sexual health check-ups are essential, especially if you have more than one partner, or are starting a new relationship. Early detection and treatment of STIs can prevent long-term health complications. The NHS provides confidential and free STI testing, including for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and more.

Access to Contraception

Contraception is key to preventing unwanted pregnancies and managing reproductive health. The NHS offers a variety of contraceptive options, including:

• Oral contraceptives (the pill)
• Contraceptive implants
• Contraceptive injection
• Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• Condoms
• Emergency contraception

Reducing Stigma

One of the biggest barriers to sexual health is stigma. Misconceptions and negative attitudes can prevent people from seeking the care they need. Services are dedicated to creating a non-judgmental environment where individuals feel comfortable accessing services and discussing their concerns.

 

If you live in Surrey 

CNWL Surrey Sexual Health has a dedicated page to order home testing kits There are two types of kits available, one full testing kit for people aged 16 and over (which tests for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV and Syphilis), or a test for under 25s which includes Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea testing only.  

You can also order some types of contraception on-line here (opens  order form)

If you would like to start PrEP (HIV prevention medication), please call us on 01483 675389. Please press option 2 for sexual health services.

If you need to see someone face to face then you can book an appointment online here or call the booking office on 01483 675389, Monday to Friday from 9.15am to 12.30pm

If you need to see a clinician because you have symptoms or are a contact of a sexually transmitted infection, please visit www.sexualhealth.cnwl.nhs.uk for more information on booking an appointment in one of our sexual health clinics in London and Surrey. 

If you live in London

You can order a home testing kit online from Sexual Health London – visit the Sexual health London website to order a kit. You can also come to a clinic for a rapid test. Mortimer Market Centre offers quick check appointments every weekday, this , PrEP and assessment & treatment of sexual health symptoms and infections. If you would like to start PrEP (a HIV prevention medication) please visit this page to find out more

Getting a sexual health check is easy and shouldn’t be embarrassing or shameful; sex is a normal part of our adult life, and STIs can be a part of it, so we encourage everybody to test regularly and be in control of their sexual health. It’s a quick, simple process that not only puts your mind at rest but could protect you from more serious complications like infertility. Protect your sex life – and protect your partner.

Remember, sexual health is health. Stay informed, stay healthy, and take control of your well-being.