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
The sexual health charity for young people under 25, offering confidential advice. 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
Provider of information on individual methods of contraception, common sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy choices, abortion and planning a pregnancy. 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-8pm Monday-Friday, 2pm-4pm Saturday and Sunday
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 services near you, you can search for your nearest sexual health service here.
