STIs 11
Cases of some STIs at highest rates in 10 years
Despite success stories such as the HPV vaccine and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) which is taken by HIV negative people before and after sex to reduce the risk of getting HIV, STIs are on the rise. Two leading sexual health charities, the Terrence Higgins Trust and the British Association for Sexual Health & HIV have […]
Can you cure HPV? Why the HPV vaccine is so important
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus that most of us (up to 8 out of 10) will have at some point in our lives. The virus infects the skin and any moist membrane such as lining of the mouth and throat, anus, cervix, vagina and vulva. While most HPV infections will clear up […]
Chlamydia 101 – what is it and how do you get rid of it?
What is chlamydia? Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK. It’s caused by the bacteria ‘chlamydia trachomatis’, which is found in the semen or vaginal fluid of those that carry the infection. Simply put, it’s a bacterial infection. How do you catch chlamydia? Chlamydia can be transmitted through the transfer of […]
The state of STIs in England
Sex is one of the joys of the human experience, but with that intimacy comes the chance of contracting sexually transmitted infections, commonly referred to as STIs. Although the overall number of diagnosed STI cases has remained steady in recent years, a recent report published by Public Health England (PHE) reveals there was a 20% […]
STI map of England 2018
Want to know more about the most common STIs in your area? Check out The state of STIs in England Data taken from Public Health England’s Sexually Transmitted Infections: annual data tables 2018
Why men could benefit from the HPV vaccine
The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is very common. Around 8 out of 10 people will be infected with it at some point in their lifetime, but people with HPV may not know that they are infected, as they often have no symptoms. For most people, HPV goes away naturally in time. However, it can cause […]
Sexual health testing at home
It’s often wrongly assumed that sexual health testing is only for people who have had numerous sexual partners. But just one encounter with one partner can expose anyone to an STI. Meaning if you’ve had unprotected sex with someone who was already sexually active, and that includes mishaps where the condom may have split or […]
PPP or Genital Warts?
For most of us, the idea of pulling down our underwear and finding something itchy, lumpy or sore is our worst nightmare. Unfortunately, sexually transmitted infections (one of the leading causes of genital growths and blisters) are very common around the UK – according to the latest reports, there were 435,000 STI diagnoses in 2015 […]
What Your Vagina is Trying to Tell You
The vagina can be a confusing and mysterious place. So confusing, in fact, that half of young women in the UK can’t actually locate it. Many women confuse the vulva – the external female genitalia – with the internal muscular cavern that is the vagina, and 65% have difficulty using the word ‘vagina’ itself. Embarrassment […]
I had unprotected sex – what should I do?
Let’s face it, unprotected sex can happen, even with the best intentions. Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do after unprotected sex, but it doesn’t have to be a disaster – there are many ways you can protect yourself against unwanted pregnancy and the development of sexually transmitted infections. The important thing is not […]