1. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Both men and women can get it, but because it often has no noticeable symptoms, people can carry it without knowing that they’re infected. If untreated, chlamydia can lead to infertility. It’s easy to treat with antibiotics, so it’s important for young people and their partners to be tested if they’ve had unprotected sex.
2. Missing a Pill
If a girl misses a dose of her contraceptive pill it's important for her to read the instructions in the packet carefully to find out what to do next. If she’s in any doubt, she should talk to a pharmacist immediately or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or FPA on 0845 122 8690.
What should I do if I miss a Pill (combined pill)?
What should I do if I miss a Pill (progestogen-only pill)?
3. Condoms
Condoms are the only way to help to protect yourself against STIs. No other contraceptive keeps you as safe from STIs but many are better at preventing pregnancy. For this reason, always use both a reliable contraceptive (to help prevent pregnancy) and a condom (to protect against STIs).
Get tips on using condoms properly.
Read about the condom excuses people might come up with, and what you can say in response.
4. Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception should never be used as a regular form of contraception, but it can prevent pregnancy if taken soon after unprotected sex. There are two types:
- The emergency pill can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, but it's more effective the sooner it's taken.
- The intrauterine device (IUD) can be inserted up to five days after unprotected sex.
You can get free emergency contraception (including if you're under 16) from:
- any GP that provides contraceptive services
- community contraceptive clinics
- Brook Advisory Centres (for under-25s only)
- some hospital accident and emergency departments
- some sexual health or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics
- some pharmacies. You can also buy the emergency contraceptive pill from most pharmacies if you're 16 or over.
5. The age of consent
The age of consent for any form of sexual activity is 16 for men and women.
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 introduced new laws to protect children under 16 from abuse. However, the law is not intended to prosecute consensual sexual activity between two young teenagers of a similar age, unless it involves some form of exploitation or abuse.
Specific laws protect children under 13 who cannot legally consent to any sexual activity. There's a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for rape, assault by penetration and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
6. STIs are a real problem
Last year, more than a million people in England were treated for sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhoea, herpes, syphilis, genital warts and chlamydia. Sexual health services are confidential for everyone, including young people. Learn more about STIs.
Everyone needs to know about safer sex, whether they're gay, lesbian or bisexual. Women can pass on infections to women, and men can pass on infections to men. For more information see sexual health for women who have sex with women and men who have sex with men.
Information and help with sexual health matters, including contraception, is available from:
- GPs
- community contraceptive clinics
- sexual health and GUM clinics
- pharmacies
- some young people's services
Find sexual health services near you.
