Where can I get sexual health advice?

If you want to know more about sex and relationships or would like information to help you talk to your partner, family, child or teenager, the organisations listed on this page can help.

The more facts you know about sex and relationships the more confident you will feel when it comes to talking about it. There's lots of information available, especially on the internet, but not all of it is accurate.

All information on NHS Choices is up-to-date, accurate and based on the latest scientific evidence.

Various clinics and health professionals offer confidential and accurate information about sex, safer sex, contraception, pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You can talk to:

  • your GP or nurse
  • your midwife or health visitor
  • a community contraceptive clinic
  • a sexual health or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic
  • a pharmacist 

People under 25 can also go to a young person’s service, such as a Connexions centre, or to Brook. 

Online services and helplines

The following organisations give information and support.

  • Brook

    www.brook.org.uk
    Helpline: 0808 802 1234
    Confidential advice for under 25s. You can also email your questions to Brook
  • Contact a Family

    www.cafamily.org.uk
    Helpline: 0808 808 3555
    Information and advice on all aspects of caring for a disabled child.
  • FPA

    www.fpa.org.uk
    Helpline: 0845 122 8690
    The sexual health charity providing free information and advice to everyone. You can also email your questions to FPA's Ask WES service.  
  • Lesbian and gay switchboard

    www.llgs.org.uk
    Helpline: 020 7837 7324
    Information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men, bisexual or transgender people.
  • Parentlineplus

    www.parentlineplus.org.uk
    Helpline: 0808 800 2222 24-hour information and support on all aspects of parenting, including talking with your teenager about sex and relationships. The website includes a special area for parents of teenagers. (www.gotateenager.org.uk). 
  • Relate

    www.relate.org.uk
    Information line: 0300 100 1234 (a trained consultant will point you towards the help you need)
    Relationships support for people of all ages, including counselling for individuals, couples, children and young people, families and sex therapy. 
  • Sexual Health Line

    Helpline: 0800 567123
    Free confidential information and advice on sexual health.
  • Terrence Higgins Trust

    www.tht.org.uk
    Helpline: 0845 122 1200
    Information, support and advice on HIV and sexual health. You can also email your questions to THT
  • Worth Talking About

    Helpline: 0800 282930, 2pm-10pm every day
    Advice on contraception, sexual health and relationships.

Local pharmacists

These can provide free and confidential advice and signpost you to more specialist advice if you need it.

To find your nearest sexual health service you can search for your nearest service here

 

Last reviewed: 14/10/2011

Next review due: 14/10/2013

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