Sexual health

Making the decision to have sex comes with the responsibility to look after yourself and your partner. That's why it's important to use a condom, and dental dams for oral sex, to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections. Lots of sexual health services in Nottingham provide free condoms, so cost need not be a barrier. If you are under 25 and live in Nottingham City you can get free condoms from the C-Card Scheme available from both University Health Centres and many other venues across the city.

The City site and Clifton campus health centres also give advice about safe sex and provide more permanent methods of contraception, such as:

• the pill
• injection
• implant or IUD (inter-uterine device). 

Please note that these forms of contraception do not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Ensure that you also use a condom.

Emergency contraception

You have the option to take emergency contraception, for example, if your condom has split. A woman can take the after sex pill (misleadingly known as the Morning After Pill) up to 72 hours after sex to reduce the risk of pregnancy. The earlier after unprotected sex this is taken the better. If you have missed the 72 hour window, there is the option of an emergency coil which can be fitted by a doctor up to five days after unprotected sex.

Sexual health checkups

You can be checked for sexually transmitted infections confidentially at a number of places in Nottingham. Here are a few:

• You can seek advice and be checked at the University Health Centres.
• Contraception and Sexual Health (CASH) is based in Victoria Health Centre on Glasshouse Street. For more information, telephone +44 (0)115 950 9151.
• The Health Shop is located on Broad Street, Hockley. Services include contraceptive advice, condoms, counselling, pregnancy testing and support on sexuality including the GAI Project for gay and bisexual men. For more information, telephone +44 (0)115 947 5414.
• Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) is based at Nottingham City Hospital on Hucknall Road. GUM provides testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. Telephone +44 (0)115 962 7744 to book an appointment.
• If you are under 25 and live in Nottingham City, Chlamydia screening packs can be requested by post if you would like to do the test in the comfort of your own home.

The following sites give you full information on sexually transmitted infections:

• NHS Choices website
• Brook - Free confidential advice for young people on sex and contraception
• AVERT - HIV and AIDS Charity.