Sexual health
self-assessment
Is
your sex life putting your health at risk?
Sex can be great but it can also carry
risks, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancy.
Take this short test to see how safe
your sex life is, and whether you could be doing more to protect yourself and
your partner.
Your results will include lots of
useful tips and links.
QUESTIONS
The words in italics appear in the
tool as a reminder of safe sexual practices.
1.
Are you:
a) Male
b) Female
2.
When it comes to sex are you:
a) Not having sex (0 points)
b) Having regular sex with one partner (1 point)
c) Having sex with multiple partners (2 points)
3.
If you do not know for sure that your partner has not got
an STI (sexually transmitted infection), do you use protection such as a condom
or a dental dam (oral sex only)?
a) Yes (0 points)
b) No (2 points)
c) Sometimes (1 points)
What’s a dental dam?
A
dental dam is a latex or polyurethane (soft plastic) square, of about 15cm by
15cm, which you can use to cover the anus or female genitals during oral sex.
It acts as a barrier to help prevent sexually transmitted infections passing
from one person to another.
4.
How can an STI be passed on?
a) Through vaginal, anal and oral sex (0
points)
STIs can be passed on via vaginal,
anal and oral sex.
b) Through vaginal sex only (2 points)
STIs can be passed on via vaginal,
anal and oral sex.
c) Through vaginal and anal sex only (2 points)
STIs can be passed on via vaginal,
anal and oral sex.
d) Through anal sex only (2 points)
STIs can be passed on via vaginal,
anal and oral sex.
e) Through oral sex only (2 points)
STIs can be passed on via vaginal,
anal and oral sex.
5.
If you are having oral sex with someone do you use a
barrier, such as a condom or dental dam, to protect against infection?
a) Yes (0 points)
b) No (2 points)
c) Sometimes (1 point)
What’s a dental dam?
A
dental dam is a latex or polyurethane (soft plastic) square, of about 15cm by
15cm, which you can use to cover the anus or female genitals during oral sex.
It acts as a barrier to help prevent sexually transmitted infections passing
from one person to another.
6. What would you do if you had any
unusual itching, soreness or discharge from your vagina, anus or penis?
a) Leave it and hope it clears up on its own (2
points)
If you have symptoms, such as pain
when you pee or discharge, go to a GP or a GUM clinic to get tested.
b) Call a
sexual health helpline for advice (1 point)
If you have symptoms, such as pain
when you pee or discharge, go to a GP or a GUM clinic to get tested.
c) Go to a
GP, or a sexual health or GUM clinic to get checked for infection (0 points)
If you have symptoms, such as pain
when you pee or discharge, go to a GP or a GUM clinic to get tested.
What is a GUM clinic?
A GUM clinic is a genito-urinary
medicine clinic, also called a sexual health clinic. These clinics are usually
located at a hospital or as part of another health centre, and provide a range
of sexual health services including:
7. At what point during
sex do you put on a condom?
a) Before
there is any contact between your partner's genitals or anus and your own
genitals or anus (or mouth if you're having oral sex) (0 points)
Put on a condom before there is any
contact between your genitals and your partner`s genitals (or mouth during oral
sex).
b) At any
point before you come (orgasm) (1 point)
Put on a condom before there is any
contact between your genitals and your partner`s genitals (or mouth during oral
sex).
c) After you
come (2 points)
Put on a condom before there is any
contact between your genitals and your partner`s genitals (or mouth during oral
sex).
8. If you
were having sex using a latex condom and you wanted some extra lubrication,
what would you use?
a) Moisturiser
(2 points)
Do not use oil-based products, such as
moisturiser with latex condoms, as they can damage them - use water-based lubricant.
b) Olive oil
(2 points)
Do not use oil-based products, such as
moisturiser with latex condoms, as they can damage them - use water-based lubricant.
c) Specially-made
water-based lubrication (0 points)
FOR WOMEN ONLY
9. If you were having sex with a man and
the condom split, what would you do?
a) Nothing - it's too late (2 points)
If a condom splits, visit a GP or GUM
clinic for STI tests and emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.
b) Go to a GP
or pharmacy to get emergency contraception (1 points)
If a condom splits, visit a GP or GUM
clinic for STI tests and emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.
c) Go to a
GUM or contraception clinic to get emergency contraception and get tested for
STIs (0 points)
If a condom splits, visit a GP or GUM
clinic for STI tests and emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.
What is
emergency contraception?
A woman can
use emergency contraception in order to prevent pregnancy after unprotected
sex. The emergency contraceptive pill Levonelle can
be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, but it is more effective the
sooner it is taken.
The emergency IUD (intrauterine device) can be fitted up to five days after
unprotected sex. You can get emergency contraception free from a GP surgery
that provides contraception, a contraceptive or sexual health clinic and some
young people’s clinics. You can also buy Levonelle from
pharmacies. A new type of emergency pill, EllaOne,
can be taken up to five days (120 hours) after sex and is only available with a
prescription.
See the links section at the end of this quiz for more about emergency
contraception.
FOR MEN ONLY
10. If you were having sex and the condom
split, what would you do?
a) Nothing - it's too late (2 points)
If a condom splits, visit a GP or GUM
clinic for STI tests and emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.
b) Go to a GP
or GUM clinic to get tested for STIs (1 point)
If a condom splits, visit a GP or GUM
clinic for STI tests and emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.
c) Go to a GP
or GUM clinic to get tested for STIs, encourage your partner to do the same,
and find out about emergency contraception if your partner is a woman. (0
points)
If a condom splits, visit a GP or GUM
clinic for STI tests and emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.
What is
emergency contraception?
A woman can
use emergency contraception in order to prevent pregnancy after unprotected
sex. The emergency contraceptive pill Levonelle can
be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, but it is more effective the
sooner it is taken.
The emergency IUD (intrauterine device) can be fitted up to five days after
unprotected sex. You can get emergency contraception free from a GP surgery
that provides contraception, a contraceptive or sexual health clinic and some
young people’s clinics. You can also buy Levonelle
from pharmacies. A new type of emergency pill, EllaOne,
can be taken up to five days (120 hours) after sex and is only available with a
prescription.
See the links section at the end of this quiz for more about emergency
contraception.
11. Which of the
following methods of contraception will protect against both pregnancy and
STIs?
a)IUD (intrauterine device) (2 points)
Condoms are the only method of
protecting against both pregnancy and STIs. All other methods protect against
pregnancy but not STIs. Ideally, to provide the best protection, you should use
a regular method of contraception to protect against pregnancy and a condom for
STIs.
b)
Contraceptive implant (2 points)
Condoms are the only method of
protecting against both pregnancy and STIs. All other methods protect against
pregnancy but not STIs. Ideally, to provide the best protection, you should use
a regular method of contraception to protect against pregnancy and a condom for
STIs.
c) Vaginal
ring (2 points)
Condoms are the only method of
protecting against both pregnancy and STIs. All other methods protect against
pregnancy but not STIs. Ideally, to provide the best protection, you should use
a regular method of contraception to protect against pregnancy and a condom for
STIs.
d) Condoms (0
points)
Condoms are the only method of
protecting against both pregnancy and STIs. All other methods protect against
pregnancy but not STIs. Ideally, to provide the best protection, you should use
a regular method of contraception to protect against pregnancy and a condom for
STIs.
e)
Contraceptive patch (2 points)
Condoms are the only method of
protecting against both pregnancy and STIs. All other methods protect against
pregnancy but not STIs. Ideally, to provide the best protection, you should use
a regular method of contraception to protect against pregnancy and a condom for
STIs.
12. Do STIs always have symptoms?
a)Yes, always (2 points)
Some people do not have any symptoms
if they have an STI. You can only be sure by getting tested.
b) No, some
people don't get symptoms (0 points)
Some people do not have any symptoms
if they have an STI. You can only be sure by getting tested.
c) No, never
(2 points)
Some people do not have any symptoms
if they have an STI. You can only be sure by getting tested.
ANSWERS
Your
assessment results
0-4points
Based on your responses today you know a lot about safer sex!
Familiarise yourself with the list below and always take steps to remain safe
during sex.
4-8
points
Based
on your responses today you
know a bit about protecting yourself and your sexual partner, but you could do
better. Familiarise yourself with the list below and always take steps to
remain safe during sex.
8-20
points
Based on your responses today you
are taking some risks with your sexual health, and your sexual partner’s
health. Familiarise yourself with the list below and always take steps to
remain safe during sex.
USEFUL LINKS
Here
are some links to articles and videos on safe sex. Please note that these links
will take you to a new page.
A
comprehensive guide to contraception
Watch
a video about types of contraception
Read
about where to get sexual health advice
Read
about accessing emergency contraception
NHS Choices 2011