Sexual health care and information
How to read the stories

Sexual health care and information

Contraception

If a couple do not want to have a baby but decide that they do want to have a sexual relationship, they need to use a form of contraception. There are lots of different types, including contraceptive pills and implants for women. For men, condoms are the main type of contraception. Condoms are a good type of contraception if they are used properly – it is important to learn how to use them. Some men find condoms difficult to use. Men have a responsibility to be aware of contraception if they do not want to become a father. Clinics that treat sexually transmitted infections often provide contraception as well. Most GPs provide contraception too, or will be able to advise you about local services. It is important to know that women can still become pregnant even when their partner is using a condom or if they are taking the contraceptive pill.

Sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs, also known as sexually transmitted diseases or STDs) are caused by germs. They are quite infectious. They get passed between people easily during sex, but are not passed by ordinary contact between friends and family, like a kiss on the cheek or sharing cups, or by sitting on a toilet seat. All types of sexual contact can pass them on – vaginal, oral and anal.

If one of you has had sex before with someone else, you should check that you haven’t got a sexually transmitted infection before you sleep together. That is because you can get an STI if you have only ever had sex with one person. There are simple tests for most STIs that can show if you have an infection. Treatment is usually easy to use and not painful or unpleasant. Sexually transmitted infections can be cured or controlled with treatment.

Using condoms during all sexual contact will reduce the chance of catching an STI, but it will not make it completely impossible. In many people STIs do not cause symptoms and people often do not know that they have an infection. Usually, people who pass on an infection to someone else do not know that they are infectious.

If STIs are left untreated they can cause pain, serious illness and problems with fertility.

When should somebody think of getting tested for STIs?

In most people STIs often do not cause any noticeable symptoms. Sometimes a person will notice pain on passing urine or discharge (abnormal liquid coming from the penis or vagina). A man might have painful testicles and might feel unwell or feverish. A woman might have abdominal pain, vaginal discharge or abnormal bleeding, and she might feel unwell or feverish. But all these symptoms can be caused by other things and do not always mean there is an STI.

People should consider getting tested when:

they have had sex with someone who they think has an infection
they develop symptoms
they have a new sexual partner
they have ended a sexual relationship
they believe their sexual partner has had sex with another person.

Where can someone go to get help for STIs?

There are lots of places that offer tests and treatment for STIs. All over the UK there are clinics called genitourinary medicine clinics or sexual health services that offer free testing and free treatment. Some GPs also offer testing. The way that services are organised is different all over the country. You could ask your own GP surgery what services there are in your area or look on the internet for a local sexual health or genitourinary medicine clinic.

How to read the stories

There is no right or wrong way to read the stories.

Some people are not used to reading stories. Start at the beginning and read the story in each picture. Encourage the reader to move through the pages at their own pace.
Encourage the person to tell the story in their own words. You will discover what they think is happening, what they already know, and how they feel. If you are using the pictures to help explain a procedure to someone, you may need to describe or clarify the actions being shown in each picture to help them understand. Try not to challenge the reader(s) or suggest their ideas are wrong.
Some pictures may be more difficult to understand. It can help to prompt the people you are supporting, for example:
• Who do you think that is?
• What is happening?
• How is he or she feeling?
• Do you feel like that? Has it happened to you/ your friend/ your family?
Allow people enough time to follow the pictures at their own pace. Allow time for discussion of each picture.
Some people may benefit from reading the larger story from which the extract has been taken. This will allow them to explore their feelings and experiences in more depth. To buy the complete book, follow the link to the bookshop that appears at the end of the story.