Sexual health and pregnancy
Sex and sexual health
Find out more about sex and sexual health including:
Sexuality
Sexuality is how you express yourself in a sexual way. Your sexual orientation refers to who you find attractive and want to have sex with or fall in love with.
Being ready for sex
Most people have sex for the first time when they are 16 years old or older. If you hear someone boasting about having sex, they might be pretending. Remember you should never feel or be pressured to have sex.
Safe sex
You should:
- choose your partner carefully - delay if you want!
- talk about STIs - have you and your partner been for a check-up recently?
- use condoms or stick to safer sex (such as kissing, touching, talking) unless you're sure you and any partner do not have a hidden infection
- talk about contraception - it takes 2 to get pregnant!
The NHS has more information about sex, including sex and the law, contraception, questions to ask yourself, safe sex including safe sex for women who have sex with women and men to have sex with men.
Read more about sexual health for lesbian and bisexual women and sexual health for gay and bisexual men.
Sexual health services
YorSexual Health has clinics across York and North Yorkshire which offer a range of free, friendly and confidential sexual health and contraception services to everyone.
If you require sexual health or contraception care, please call the central booking line on telephone: 01904 721111 and press option 1.
Central booking line is open from Monday to Thursday from 8.15am to 5.00pm, Friday from 8.15am to 3.30pm and Saturday from 9.00am to 12 noon.
If you're 17 and under or a vulnerable person, you can text telephone: 07973 775692 to make an appointment Monday to Thursday from 8.15am to 5.00pm and Friday 8.15am to 3.30pm.
You'll be assessed by the team and one of their nurses will call you to discuss the best way to get you the care you require.
Your School Nurse will provide confidential advice and support.
Read advice from the NHS about sexual health.
Sexually transmitted infections
Sexually Transmitted Infects (STI) are unfortunately very common. You can become infected no matter how few or many sexual partners you have. Most STIs are easily treated. If you notice any unusual discharge, sores or itching in your genital area, or a burning sensation when you pee, you may have an infection that needs treating.
Often however, there are no symptoms. If your partner has an infection, don't wait for you to develop symptoms. Get yourself checked out. It makes sense to get checked out regularly and especially if you have a new partner.
Read information about STI symptoms and where you can get tested.
If you require an STI screen only and you have no symptoms you may prefer to order a testing kit online.
