Keeping on to of your sexual health and regular testing is an important part of your sex life, not to mention a fundamental conversation to have with your sexual partners.
If you have had, or are planning to have, oral, anal or vaginal sex with a partner, it is important to have a conversation about sexual health. This conversation might include asking about other recent partners, sexual health concerns, and when they were last tested. It is normal to speak about this before and after sex, but if you are feeling nervous about asking, or want to read about having “the conversation” you can check out ReachOut’s useful article here.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
You have probably heard about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) or Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) before, and whilst this can be concerning, it should not dominate your sex life.
These infections sometimes present symptoms, you can find out about some of the most common STIs and their symptoms here. You will not always present symptoms of STIs, which is why it is important to partake in regular testing if you are sexually active and you or your partner are sleeping with multiple people.
Safe Sex
Practicing safe sex involves using contraception and being mindful of both yours, and your partners’ sexual health status. For more information on practicing safe sex read this helpful article from the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV here
You can also read more about safe sex and contraception in the following section “Let’s talk about contraception”.
Feeling worried about a diagnosis
Getting an STI or STD is not the end of the world, it is a common experience for sexually active people, and in most cases can be fully treated. However, sometimes finding out you have an STI or STD can be upsetting or distressing. You can speak to one of our Student Support Advisors for support and friendly advice if you are feeling upset or stressed by a diagnosis
Sexual health clinics
Most sexual health services can be delivered at your local sexual health clinic. A sexual health clinic can offer:
- Sexual health testing
- Contraception
- Emergency contraception
- Vaccinations
- Treatment for sexually transmitted infections
- Support with unplanned pregnancy
- Support for people who have been sexually assaulted
If you are living and studying in Canterbury UK, your local NHS Sexual Health Clinic will be The Gate Clinic at Kent & Canterbury Hospital. Find out more about Kent Sexual Health Services here.
If you are not local to Kent, you can enter your postcode to find your local sexual health clinic here.
Home testing kits
Home testing kits are helpful for doing a sexual health screening from the comfort of your home. The packages are subtle and can be delivered directly to you in the post. All you need to do is follow the instructions in your home test kit and when you are done, pack it back up and put it in a post-box. You will receive a text, phone call or email with your results within 3 weeks.
You can register with SH.UK to order a free sexual health home testing kit online here.
Vaccinations
You may be eligible for vaccinations to protect you against transmitting some sexually transmitted infections including:
- Hepatitis A and B
- Human papillomavirus (HPV or genital warts)
- Monkeypox
To find out more about vaccinations speak with a doctor or sexual health nurse.
PrEP and PEP
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a preventative medication that can be taken by HIV-negative people to reduce, and near eliminate, the chance of acquiring HIV if they have sex with a HIV-positive person.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can be taken after risk of exposure to HIV to reduce the chance of acquiring HIV.
To find out more about PrEP and PEP, you can read this article from SH.UK here.
If you are interested in finding out more or starting PrEP, speak with you doctor or sexual health team.
Find out more from our Relationships, Consent, and Sex campaign