Sexual health: Key messages

It’s important for us all to look after our sexual health, as it can dramatically affect our physical and mental health, as well as our emotional and social wellbeing.

Safer sex

• A condom should always be used for vaginal, anal and oral sex as it can reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STI's)
  
  
• Everyone who has recently changed their sexual partner, should get tested for any STI's

Sexually transmitted infections (STI's)

• An STI is an infection that can be transferred from one person to another through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal or oral sex and sharing sex toys.  Some, but not all, STI's can also be passed through kissing and skin to skin contact
  
  
• Some STI's have no symptoms, so you could have one without knowing, which is why you should regularly get tested if you're sexually active

Additional information

Take a look at the sexual health page on the Talk Community Directory, where you can also download a copy of the sexual health leaflet.