Sexual Health
Torfaen Sexual Health Outreach Worker:
07904 190908 (mobile)
Condom Card Scheme (C-Card)
Tel: 01633 623 714
For chemists providing
free EHC
http://www.torfaen.plus.com/frameccards.htm|
GUM Clinic, Royal Gwent
Hospital: 01633 234555
Family Planning Association:
0845 3101334 or
www.fpa.org.uk|
I have been going out with my boyfriend for a couple of weeks. My friends are asking why I haven't kissed him yet. How will I know when it's the right time to kiss?
Everyone is nervous and unsure when they start going out with someone new. You should not feel pressurised into kissing by your friends. You will know it is the right time to kiss when you both are feeling close to each other.
My best friend is pregnant and won't tell anyone. Do you think I should tell someone or just leave it?
This is a big responsibility for you but you have to tell someone so your friend can receive the support she needs, in order to make some very difficult decisions. Think carefully about the most suitable person to tell, perhaps your mum or a youth worker/health worker. Remember you are acting in the best interest of your friend and probably will be relieved and thankful that her secret is shared.
My boyfriend is older than me and is pressurising me into sex. I don't know if I'm ready yet and scared in case I get pregnant, but he says if I loved him, I would do it. What should I do?
Many young women are pressurised into having sex when they are not ready and they often regret it later in life. Remember it is also true that if your boyfriend loved you he would wait until you are ready! Before you enter into a sexual relationship you should take the time to consider safer sex and contraception to avoid an unplanned pregnancy.
My friend has slept with a couple of boys and not used any contraception what if she has got AIDs
If your friend has not used condoms it is possible that she could have picked up a several Sexually Transmitted Infections, many of which do not have any symptoms at all. Chlamydia is one of the most common STI's in young people, with infections of Syphilis and Gonorrhoea rising all the time. HIV is not that common in this part of Wales at the moment however your friend should make an appointment with the GUM (genito-urinary medicine) clinic in Newport or young people's clinic who can give her professional advice and counselling about STI and HIV testing. Please see contact details on the back page
I've got a girlfriend and made another girl pregnant. Her family are really angry with me. What can I do?
As you have let your girlfriend down it is not surprising they are angry with you. It will be very difficult for you to maintain your relationship with your girlfriend while you accept your responsibilities to your other partner, who needs your support while she makes a decision about whether to keep the baby. While you are young yourself, and everyone makes mistakes, there is no excuse for not practising safer sex to avoid unplanned pregnancies and STI's.
I had sex with my boyfriend and the condom split. I went to the doctors and had the morning after pill. Could I be pregnant?
If you followed your doctors advice and took the pills within 72 hours, it is unlikely you are pregnant. However, if you miss your next period it would be advisable to visit a young people's clinic or your GP for a free pregnancy test as soon as possible. You can then also discuss a method of contraception that would suit you and you could receive free condoms.
I have been with my boyfriend for a year. We would like to make love and would like to know what kind of contraceptives are available, where can we go to get them and how safe they.
What a mature and sensible attitude you and your boyfriend have shown. A young people's clinic provides information and advice about all sorts of contraception including the pill, implants and injections. Modern methods of contraception are very reliable if used correctly. While you are there you can also get free condoms.
I got drunk at a party and can't remember what I did. My friends tell me that I slept with somebody. I don't know what to do.
If you have had unprotected sex you need help to establish whether you may be pregnant or have a Sexually Transmitted Infection. The best thing to do is go to a Young Person's Clinic where you will be provided with help and support. I'm sure you now realise how dangerous it is to drink so much alcohol that you are not in control of your actions - it's important that you keep yourself safe so please don't put yourself in this position again.
Sexual Health and Sexually Transmitted Infections more information
How do you catch a sexually transmitted disease?
By having unprotected sexual intercourse, oral sex (where partners kiss or stimulate each other's genitals with their tongue) and anal sex.
What are the Symptoms?
Possible signs of infection: unusual discharge from the vagina which changes colour; begins to have a different or unpleasant smell; becomes thicker or causes irritation; discharge from the penis; sores, blisters, rash or irritation near or around the vagina, penis or anus; pain or burning feeling when you pass urine, passing urine very frequently or more often than usual; pain when you have intercourse.
The big problem with STI's is that often you do not have any symptoms at all. This can cause infertility which means it may be difficult for a girl to have a baby when she gets older. It is really important to go and get checked out at a clinic if you think you may have taken any risks in the past.
It is also true that the risk of catching sexually transmitted diseases increases with the number of partners you have unprotected sex with.
What Services are available for treatment of STI's?
Diagnosis and treatment of STIs are available from Family Planning Clinics and the Department of GUM (genito-urinary medicine) at the Royal Gwent Hospital. Contact details are on the back page.
Scared of Tampons - I've been having periods for 4 years and I would like to use tampons but am scare of inserting it.
It is quite normal to have these feelings. You need to discuss your fears of using tampons with someone. A School Nurse/Practice Nurse at your GP surgery or counsellor at a Young Person's Clinic would be able to discuss this with you. It is important to know all about your body and how it works. Leaflets might help but it is important to discuss this with someone who can help to give you the confidence to use tampons.
Spiked Drinks
This seems to be on the increase in our clubs and bars. Someone will slip a small amount of a drug into a person's drink and soon they will begin to feel sleepy and often become unconscious, then they can easily be sexually assaulted and often do now know what happened when they wake up.
Take care, go out with friends, and watch your drinks. You can get bottle stoppers that make it harder to be spiked.
Date Rape - What is date rape and how can I avoid it?
Date rate is accepting an invitation and being pressurised into sexual activity when you are unwilling.
Avoid putting yourself in a vulnerable position.
What do I do if I get raped? What help is available to me?
If you get raped you must tell someone who will help you seek medical advice and inform the police. You will get help from a Counselling service to help you in what decisions you will take. You could be at risk of pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases as well at the psychological difficulties that follow this awful experience.
HIV what is it? Where can I go to have an HIV test?
It is caused by infection with the Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) later this turns into AIDS which stand for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. HIV affects the body's immune system (ie defence against disease) making the person prone to infections. AIDS is therefore not a single disease but a collection of specific infections.
You can become infected only in certain ways, which are:
Unprotected sex, sharing injecting equipment (needs, syringes etc) through HIV-infected blood entering your blood stream or through an HIV infected woman transmitting HIV to her baby before or after birth, or during breastfeeding.
The Test - Where can I go to have an HIV test?
The body produces antibodies at about 3 months after infection. These antibodies then stay in the body and can be detected in blood, with the HIV test (HIV Antibody Test). The best place to get a HIV Test is at the GUM clinic in Newport, you will have to make an appointment and the first thing that will happen is a brief counselling session to establish if you have put yourself at risk of getting HIV. Please see back page for contact details.
What do they do to test you for HIV?
To test for HIV a small sample of blood is taken. This is then tested for HIV antibodies. The test usually takes about a week.
If the result is positive this does not mean the person has AIDS. It means they are HIV positive. An HIV infected person in Britain can remains well for many years mainly due to the fact that there have been great improvements in the drugs used to treat HIV. However when HIV turns to AIDs many people still die. Everyone needs to understand that condoms can prevent the spread of HIV.
Are there any side effects from the Pill?
Any side effects which may be caused by the pill would be discussed with you when you are prescribed the pill. Side effects are rare but information should be given to you to make you aware of what could happen and what action to take if it does. Sometimes all that is needed is to change to a different pill.
Mild Reactions include:
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general nausea
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occasional headaches
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breast tenderness
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slight bleeding between your periods
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slight weight gain (up to 5 lbs) which you will be able to lose by sensible eating
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mood swings can be more noticeable
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occasional discomfort of the eyes can be experienced if contact lenses are used
If you are concerned you must consult a doctor.
What happens to your body when you come off the pill?
The action of the combined pill is to prevent you ovulating (releasing eggs from your ovaries) when you stop taking the pill your ovaries will resume ovulation.
Will my parents be told? - Up until what age do your parents have to be informed that you want to go on the pill?
Parents are never informed of anyone going on the pill. The duty owed to a person under 16 is as great as that owed to any other person. Any competent young person regardless of age can independently seek medical advice and give consent to treatment.
Emergency Hormonal Contraception EHC what is it?
EHC is commonly referred to as the morning after pill, which is a bit confusing as it can be used for 3 days/72 hours after unprotected sex. The correct term is emergency contraception. You can get emergency contraception from any GP or Family Planning/Young Persons Clinic and from some Chemists - please see contact details on back page.
How old must you be to be given EHC without parents consent?
You do not require parental consent to take emergency contraception.
How long after having sex is EHC effective?
Emergency contraception is effective up to 3 days after unprotected sexual intercourse, but the sooner you can take it, the more effective it is likely to be, and within 24 hours is the best!
Are there any side effects from EHC?
Any side effects of emergency contraception would be explained to you by the doctor/nurse who prescribes it to you. The most common side effect is sickness/nausea this can be helped by taking the pill with food.