Be SAFE: Sex Aware, Feel Empowered

There’s a lot of information out there about sexual health. Sometimes it can be tricky to find what you need, when you need it. This page will give you links to other websites and reliable sources of information you can trust, so you can quickly and easily find where you can go for services, advice and support.

Sexual health is an important part of our overall physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Be Aware about STIs

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are passed from one person to another during unprotected sexual contact. It does not matter how many times you have had sex or how many sexual partners you have had; anyone can get an STI. Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital herpes and syphilis are some of the most common STIs in the UK. HIV is another serious STI and testing is offered to everybody as part of a routine sexual health screen. Read more about specific STIs here.

Often people who have an STI won’t show any signs or symptoms and therefore may not know they are carrying it - so it’s important to test regularly and after each new sexual partner. No one wants to pass on an infection unknowingly, and regular testing is the easiest way to protect yourself and others. It’s free, painless, quick and easy to get tested. 

Chlamydia is the most common STI. It often doesn’t have any symptoms so you might not even know you have it, but left untreated it can cause serious and long-term problems; particularly for women and other people with a womb or ovaries.

To reduce these risks, it’s recommended that young women aged 15 to 24 get tested for chlamydia once a year, or after a new sexual partner. You can get tested at the West Sussex sexual health service which includes being able to order a FREE test kit online. Testing is quick and painless, and if you find out you have an STI, don’t worry - most can be easily treated with a course of antibiotics.

Feel Empowered about STIs

Testing for STIs has never been easier. It's always confidential and most infections can be cured. You can order FREE testing kits online which screen for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV and syphilis. These kits will be delivered discreetly to your home by post, in a plain, grey envelope, or you can ask for the kit to be sent to one of many “click and collect” venues across the county. You return your tests in a pre-paid envelope and will get your test results in a text message within 10 days. Find out more or order a test kit here. 

You can also get tested and treated for sexually transmitted infections at sexual health clinics. You don’t need to be referred to a clinic or be registered with a GP to visit a sexual health clinic, and you can use clinics outside of West Sussex if that is more convenient to you.

You can book an appointment at one of the clinics in West Sussex by calling 01903 285199.

Be Aware about contraception

If you or your sexual partner can get pregnant, access to free contraception can help you choose whether or not to conceive. There are lots of different methods of contraception which are free on the NHS.

If you are confused about which contraceptive method to choose, if you are thinking of changing your regular contraceptive method, or if you are thinking about fertility awareness methods, take a look at Contraception Choices. This site has a handy online tool to help you choose what is right for you. Another excellent online tool is the Brooks contraceptive tool.

Feel Empowered about contraception

You can get advice about contraception and pick up free contraception of your choice from your local sexual health service by calling 01903 285199 or visiting a clinic.

GPs in West Sussex can provide free contraception as well (or if they can’t, they’ll refer you to a sexual health clinic that can).   

Many pharmacies now offer the contraceptive pill for free without a prescription. You do not need to see a doctor or nurse for a prescription. Find your local pharmacy offering this service here. 

Be Aware about condoms

Always remember that the only contraceptive method that protects against STIs including HIV (as well as unintended pregnancies) are condoms. Always use condoms to protect yourself and your partner.

Feel Empowered about condoms

Condoms are readily available for sale in most local shops including supermarkets, pharmacies, newsagents, petrol stations and more. But you can also pick up some for free from one of the local sexual health clinics during opening hours.

If you are under 25 you can also order free condoms online which can be delivered to your home or to one of many “click and collect” venues across the county. 

Be Aware about emergency contraception

Emergency contraception can be used to stop you getting pregnant if contraception has failed or not been used.  

The most common form is the emergency contraceptive pill (also known as the 'morning-after pill') which must be taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex. There are also other types of emergency contraception you can take up to five days after sex, but the sooner you take it the more effective it will be. Taking the pill within 24 hours of unprotected sex is 95% effective at preventing unintended pregnancy. 

Feel Empowered about emergency contraception

You can get emergency contraception from the sexual health service, GPs and some pharmacies. Find out more about how to access emergency contraception here.