Sexual health advice
Beyond contraception and STIs, there's a lot that can affect your sexual health. Take care of your sexual wellbeing with information from our experts.
Whether you're looking for information on fertility or genital care, or you want to learn about other conditions that can affect your sex life, we've got you covered.
Abortion is when someone decides to end a pregnancy. It’s sometimes known as termination.
Abuse and sexual violence happen when someone is forced into doing something sexual that they do not want to do, or they are not able to agree to. It can take many different forms.
Bacterial vaginosis, or BV, is caused by changes to the balance of natural bacteria inside the vagina. It’s the most common cause of unusual vaginal discharge.
Cervical screening (previously known as a smear test) is a health check for your cervix.
Chemsex means using certain drugs as part of your sex life. It comes with a lot of risks and can have long-lasting consequences.
Consent means agreeing to do something. When we’re talking about sex, consent means that each person has actively agreed to sex or sexual activity and they want to do it.
Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by a bacterial bladder infection.
Using condoms during sex, even when you’re pregnant, will reduce the chance of you getting an STI.
Drugs and alcohol can affect how we think, feel and act. They can make you feel more confident, but also make you more vulnerable to risky situations and making choices that you might not usually make.
Endometriosis, sometimes called endo, is a painful condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb (uterus) grows in other parts of the body.
If you cannot get an erection, or cannot keep an erection long enough to have sex, this is called erectile dysfunction or impotence.
Having fertility problems can mean you’re having trouble getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to full term. Fertility problems are also referred to as infertility or subfertility.
Good genital health can protect you from some infections. Get to know what's normal for you, and get medical advice about anything unusual as soon as possible.
Masturbation means touching and stimulating yourself and your genitals for pleasure. It's natural and normal for people of all genders.
Menopause is when your periods stop and your ovaries do not produce an egg each month. Your body produces smaller amounts of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.
Miscarriage is when a pregnancy ends before the 24th week.
Molluscum contagiosum or MC is a viral infection that causes small spots on the skin. It's not an STI but it can be transmitted by sex and skin-to-skin touching. In most cases, MC is harmless and does not need treatment.
Mpox, previously called monkeypox, is a rare infection caused by a virus. Although it causes a rash and can be spread through close personal contact, it’s not an STI.
Periods can be painful, heavy or irregular, and can affect your mood. It can be difficult to live with and get in the way of your daily life.
If you think you might be pregnant it’s important to find out for sure as soon as you can. The only way to know for certain is to take a test.
Premature ejaculation is when you come (ejaculate) sooner than you want to during sex. It’s a common difficulty and it’s usually nothing to be concerned about.
Scabies is a contagious skin condition. It’s not usually serious, but it does need to be treated, or irritated skin can become infected.
Choosing when to start having sex and using contraception after pregnancy and birth is a personal choice.
Thrush is caused by an overgrowth of yeast. It’s common and anyone can get it. It's not an STI.
Your sexual health, your way
To help you take care of your sexual health and wellbeing, we have free STI test kits, contraception, information and advice – 24 hours a day.
It’s quick, discreet and completely confidential.
Sexual health advice helpline
If you want to talk about your sexual or reproductive health, unplanned pregnancy or getting more support, you can call the national sexual health helpline free on 0300 123 7123. Your call will be treated with sensitivity and in strict confidence.
Helpline opening hours:
Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 4pm
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