Where can I get free condoms on the island?
If you are under the age of 25 you can sign up to the Condom Distribution Scheme which allows you to pick up the free condoms of your choice from a wide variety of places around the island. Condoms are available free for all people from the Sexual Health Service at St Mary’s Hospital.
Is trush a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?
No, thrush is not an STI but sexual intercourse can seem to make the symptoms worse for some women and men.
Can boys get Chlamydia?
Yes, boys and girls of all ages, gay and straight can get Chlamydia.
Will Chlamydia make me infertile?
Chlamydia does not automatically make a person infertile but having Chlamydia may lead to damage to the reproductive organs.
Hasn't syphilis died out now?
No it hasn’t! In fact in the last 10 years the rate of syphilis infection in men has increased by over 2000%!
I've heard only boys get gonorrhoea - is this true?
No this is not true. Girls as well as boys can get infected with gonorrhoea but the symptoms may be more obvious in boys. It can cause a very uncomfortable, thick green discharge from the penis, and pain passing urine which develops soon after having sex.
Do genital warts lead to cancer?
No. Warts are caused by a virus called the human papilloma virus (HPV). There are many different strains of HPV but only a few strains cause genital warts. There are other strains of HPV which have been linked to certain cancers but these are not the same as the ones causing genital warts.
Is herpes the same thing as cold sores?
Yes, cold sores are blisters caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). When the blisters form around a person’s mouth these are often called cold sores. When the blisters are found around the genital or anal area these are often called genital herpes. Either way, the blisters are caused by the same type of virus.
Should you let a boy cum (ejaculate) in your mouth?
Whenever you have having sex you should only do what you totally feel comfortable with and happy to do. If you don’t like it, say no. Giving a boy oral sex is always your choice and if you like it or want to try it then that’s fine. Providing a boy does not have any STIs there is no harm if he cums in your mouth. However, infections like gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, herpes and syphilis can all easily be passed during oral sex. If you are concerned about infections, or just don’t like the taste of cum put a flavoured condom on your partner before you suck him off.
Can you get any STIs through oral sex?
Yes, infections like gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, herpes and syphilis can be passed from the penis to the mouth, or from the mouth to the penis during oral sex so using flavoured condoms will reduce the risk of this happening. Infections around the mouth like herpes (the virus which causes cold sores) can be passed to the anal or genital area of a partner during oral sex so a dental dam (which is a thin layer of latex which you put over your partners vulval or anal area before giving them oral sex) could be used.
Is it alright to go down on a girl during her period?
If you and your girlfriend both feel OK about this, then it’s fine to do it. If a girl carries an infection in her blood (like HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C) then there is a possibility this infection could be passed to you during oral sex. In this case you may want to avoid giving her any oral sex when she’s on her period.
Is anal sex illegal?
No, anal sex is legal in UK if both partners agree they want to do it.
Can I get pregnant the first time I have sex?
Yes! This is a really old fashioned idea that has been around for years and years – and it’s still not true! The simple truth is no matter what a girl’s age or how many times she has had sex before, a pregnancy can happen if you don’t use contraception.
Can I get pregnant during my period?
Yes! Again this is an old fashioned idea and it’s not true either! A pregnancy can happen even when a girl is on her period so always use contraception or condoms and don’t forget about emergency contraception (the ‘morning-after’ pill) if you have unprotected sex.
Can you get pregnant if a boy pulls out before he ejaculates (cums)?
There's a myth that a girl can’t get pregnant if a boy withdraws his penis before he ejaculates (comes). The truth is, pulling out the penis won’t stop a girl from getting pregnant. Before a boy ejaculates, there's sperm in the pre-ejaculatory fluid (pre-come), which leaks out when he gets excited. It only takes one sperm to get a girl pregnant
How many times can I use emergency contraception - the 'morning-after' pill?
In theory you can use emergency contraception pills as many times as you need to use them. However, in practice it is much better to use a regular contraceptive pill (either the combined pill or the mini-pill) as these are more likely to prevent a pregnancy. The emergency pill works well if taken as soon as possible after sex but it can be used any time up to 72 hours after sex.
Does the Pill make you fat?
The pill doesn’t make a girl fat, but it can stimulate the appetite and makes you feel more hungry which in turn can make you eat more. If you find this is happening keeping a food and exercise diary help you monitor your activity and help you look for areas in your lifestyle where you need to make adjustments. Talk to your doctor or family planning nurse about changing to another brand of pill or a different method of contraception if you feel your weight is increasing or your shape is changing on the pill.
Will the injection thin my bones?
In the short term, for young health and active women the injection will not cause any long lasting problems.
Is it true the implant will make me infertile?
No, the implant has no long-term effect on your fertility.
How old does a girl have to be to get a smear test?
You don’t need to start having routine cervical screening (this is the correct name for the ‘smear test’) until you are 25 years old.
My period is late and I think I could be pregnant - what should I do first?
First thing is a pregnancy test. These can be done free at the Sexual Health Service (SHS) or at your local GPs. Other services may offer free testing. You can buy a pregnancy test over the counter in all pharmacies or most supermarkets and if you are not sure how to use it the pharmacist can give you advice or even do the test for you. If the test is negative it may be useful to repeat it three or four days later if you period still doesn’t come. If the result is positive you can discuss your pregnancy options with a nurse or doctor at the SHS, or with your family doctor or practice nurse.
Will a termination of pregnancy (an abortion) make me infertile?
No, termination of pregnancy will not make you infertile but if you catch an STI your fertility is at risk. The Pregnancy Advisory Service on the Isle of Wight offers all women a test for Chlamydia and free treatment if an infection is found.
Can I get a termination on the NHS?
Terminations are available free on the NHS here on the Isle of Wight.
I've heard there are different types of terminations - what are they?
Yes, there are two types of pregnancy termination available here on the Isle of Wight, both ‘medical’ and ‘surgical’ types. The medical type involves taking a drug to block the pregnancy hormones in your body, followed by another drug two days later to make the pregnancy come out of your body. The surgical type involves an operation in hospital which removes the pregnancy. If you are thinking about an abortion the specialist nurses in the Pregnancy Advisory Service will talk through the two types in more detail and help you decide which is best for you.
I've not planned on being pregnant and don't want a termination - what are my options?
You have two choices, continue the pregnancy and keep the baby will you, or continue the pregnancy and offer the baby for adoption. Both choices are available and the specialist nurses will help you decide the best option. If you are not sure you can still decide once the baby is born or including changing your mind.
Does my mum have to know I've been to the clinic?
No, all visits to the clinic are strictly confidential, whatever you want to talk to us about.
Will my school nurse find out I've had an abortion?
No, your school nurse will not know unless you choose to tell her.
My GP is my dad's friend. Will he tell my dad I've been to ask about contraception?
All GPs are bound by the same requirement to keep your personal medical information confidential. You can always ask to see another doctor in the surgery, or to see the practice nurse to discuss contraception. When you see the person let them know you are concerned about your confidentiality and I’m sure they will be able to reassure you.
Help, I don't want to go to the local clinic - I'm sure the receptionist at the Sexual Health Service knows my auntie!
All the medical, nursing and administration staff in the SHS are signed-up to confidentiality and won’t say a thing about seeing you in the clinic. If you prefer not to come to the clinic you could see your GP or practice nurse to confidentially discuss any aspect of your sexual health. Also there are some school nurses and nurses in services for young people who are specially trained in sexual health seeing one of them is another option you have. If you are worried, phone the SHS and speak to a nurse over the phone. We may be able to reassure you, or advise you on when you could go for advice.
Will alcohol make me better in bed?
There's a myth that drinking alcohol makes you perform better in bed. The truth is, when you’re drunk it’s hard to make smart decisions. Alcohol can make you take risks, such as having sex before you’re ready, or having sex with someone you don't like. Drinking won't make the experience better. You’re more likely to regret having sex if you do it when you’re drunk.
Can you use plastic bags or clingfilm instead of condoms?
There's a myth that you can use a plastic bag, clingfilm or a crisp packet instead of a condom. The truth is, you can't. Only a condom can protect against STIs.
Can a boy's testicles (balls) explode if he doesn't have sex?
The truth is, not having sex doesn't harm boys or girls, and a boy’s balls will not explode. Boys and men produce sperm all the time. If they don’t ejaculate the sperm is absorbed into their body. Ejaculation can happen if they masturbate or have a wet dream. They don’t have to have sex
Can condoms be washed out and used again?
Don't believe anyone who says that you can wash condoms and use them again. The truth is, you can't use a condom more than once, even if you wash it out. If you've used a condom, throw it away and use a new one if you have sex again.
Can women who have sex with women get STIs?
You may have heard that women who sleep with women can’t get or pass on STIs. This isn't true. If a woman has an STI and has sex with another woman, the infection can be passed on through vaginal fluid (including fluid on shared sex toys), blood or close body contact.
Do all gay men have anal sex?
You may have heard that all gay men have anal sex. This isn't true. Anal sex, like any sexual activity, is a matter of preference. Some people choose to do it as part of their sex life and some don’t, whether they're gay, straight, lesbian or bisexual.
Is a girl ready to have sex when she starts her periods?
You may have heard that a girl should be having sex once she starts having periods. This isn't true. Starting your periods means that you're growing up, and that you could get pregnant if you were to have sex. It doesn’t mean that you're ready to have sex, or that you should be sexually active. People feel ready to have sex at different times. It’s a personal decision.
