Looking After Your Sexual Elf at Christmas

Christmas can be a joyous time of year with people partying, drinking more and enjoying themselves. Because of this it is also a time when we need to be thinking about our sexual health.  Not because we only think about our sexual health at Christmas (we know you think about your sexual health all year round) but because some services might not be as accessible over the festive period.  But don't worry, we have you covered with the following guide on how to look after your sexual 'elf' this Christmas.

Condoms 

Get your festive wrapping done early this year by signing up for free condoms in the Southwest.  If you're aged under 25 you should be eligible for free condoms via the C-Card and Doink condoms distribution schemes.  Also, you could also be eligible for free condoms if you meet the criteria of for our Condoms Direct service.  This find out more about free condoms click here

Time to get testive

There's no time like the present. Alright, enough of the festive puns but in all seriousness now is as good a time as any to find out your STI status.  STIs can be symptomless, so the only way to know is to test.  If you're sexually active then you should also use condoms during sex (including oral) to prevent any potential acquisition of an STI.  To find your nearest sexual health clinic during the festive period then click here

PrEP Yourself

PrEP is a pill that prevents HIV transmission. PrEP is 99% effective at preventing HIV and is available on the NHS. Remember to use condoms to prevent STIs (sexually transmitted infections).  To find out how to access PrEP click here

Consent

You don’t have to kiss under the mistletoe if you don’t want to. All sexual activity should be consensual and if something doesn’t feel right then it probably isn’t. If you need to speak to someone about sexual assault then help is available. To find out your nearest Sexual Assault Referral Centre click here