Safer sex on holiday

That's what happened to Beatrice, 34, who ended up with gonorrhoea after having unprotected sex with a waiter in Cuba. "I was drunk and got carried away," she says. "I was having sex before I'd even thought about condoms. When I woke up in the morning I felt really stupid."

Beatrice feels lucky she got an infection that could be cleared up with antibiotics. "It wasn't until I'd had the all-clear from my HIV test three months later that I finally stopped worrying."

Risky sex while abroad is a serious problem, for holiday-makers and resort staff alike. "It’s definitely making a contribution to the current STI epidemic," says Dr Colm O’Mahony, consultant and spokesperson for the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH). 

Dr O'Mahony sees a clear increase in the numbers of patients during the summer at Chester Sexual Health GUM clinic. "People usually get symptoms a week to two weeks after they get back from holiday," he says.

So what happens to people’s safe sex sense? "People let their guard down on holiday and some drink and then do things they wouldn’t dream of at home," says Dr O’Mahony. Studies back this up, showing that single holiday-makers have more sex with more people than at home. Studies also show that a lot of people don’t use condoms.

Infections such as HIV and syphilis can be much more common abroad than in the UK. Most cases of HIV in heterosexuals diagnosed in the UK were acquired overseas. 

Safer sex

Of course, sex isn't compulsory when you're on holiday but it's good to be prepared, so buy a pack of condoms before you go. Remember, always buy condoms with the CE mark on the packet. This means they have been tested to the high safety standards that are required in Europe. Condoms that don't have the CE mark won't meet these standards so don't use them.

Condoms can be damaged by oil-based products such as moisturiser, sunscreen lotion, baby oil and lipstick. Heat can also be a problem, so store them in a cool, dry place. For more information on using male and female condoms, see How to use a condom.  

Vomiting and diarrhoea

Bear in mind that vomiting or diarrhoea can make the contraceptive pill less effective, and so can some medicines, including some antibiotics and some anti-malaria drugs. Don't let this lead to an unintended pregnancy – use a condom to help protect against pregnancy and STIs.

Long acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods, such as the injection, intrauterine system (IUS) and intrauterine device (IUD), are not affected by illness or medication. However, the effectiveness of the contraceptive implant may be lowered by certain antibiotics. Tell the person who is giving you the medication that you have a contraceptive implant. Make sure you use a condom while taking medicines or antibiotics that might affect your contraception, and for 28 days afterwards. Remember, you should always wear a condom to help protect against STIs.  

Mutual masturbation can be safer sex, according to Dr O’Mahony, as long as fluids are not passed from one person’s genitals to another via the fingers or any other way. Oral sex is riskier than most people realise. A herpes lesion (cold sore) on the mouth can transfer to the genitals, and gonorrhoea can live in the throat and transfer as well. 

A vaccination against hepatitis B (a liver disease transmitted by unsafe sex and sharing needles) is available and can be added to jabs before travelling.

What to do if you're worried

If you're already back home

If you’re worried that you may be pregnant or have caught an STI, get checked out at your local genitourinary medicine (GUM) or community contraceptive clinic as soon as possible after you get home. If you find you are pregnant and don't want to be, abortion is an option. Find out about doing a pregnancy test.

Use the NHS Choices service search, FPA's clinic finder or call FPA on 0845 122 8690 to find your nearest GUM clinic.

Tell the GUM clinic staff your travel and sexual history, as that will help them give you the most appropriate tests. 

If you’re still abroad

Check your travel insurance as it may not cover you for STIs or HIV. In any case, it may be best to wait. "No other country has a sexual health service like Britain," says Dr O’Mahony.

Some countries may have a good sexual health service, but others may not. Depending on where you are, the doctor, hospital or clinic may not do all the appropriate tests. "Private doctors can be expensive and there’s no guarantee of the standard of care.

"Try to avoid having injections in developing countries if you can. Most antibiotics for STIs can be taken orally," says Dr O’Mahony. "Ask for a copy of your drug leaflet and for details of tests and results, and bring them with you when you have your check-up at home."

And if you test positive for anything, try to contact past partners. Your sexual health clinic can help with this.