Let’s Keep Connecting: Why Communication Matters for Our Sexual Health
Sexual Health Week may be over for another year, but the conversations it started don’t need to stop. This year’s Sexual Health Week, which took place from 14–20 September, focused on the theme ‘Let’s Connect’, encouraging us to think about the importance of meaningful human connection and the role it can play in our relationships, […]
Sexual Health Isn’t Just About STIs – It’s About How You Feel
When we think about sexual health, things like STI testing, contraception and safer sex might be the first things that come to mind. But sexual health is about much more than our physical health. How we feel about sex, relationships, intimacy and our own bodies matters too. Emotional and psychological wellbeing are important parts of […]
When Should I Get an STI Test After Unprotected Sex?
If you’ve had unprotected sex, you might be wondering how soon you should get tested for a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It can be tempting to test straight away for reassurance, but some infections take time to show up on a test. This is known as the window period, the time between coming into contact […]
What’s the Best Contraception If I Have a Partner With a Penis and One With a Vagina?
If you have partners with different bodies, whether you’re queer, bisexual, pansexual, polyamorous, non-monogamous, or just figuring things out, it’s completely normal to wonder what contraception you actually need. There isn’t one single “best” option. For many people, the answer is using different methods for different situations. Think about what you’re trying to prevent Contraception […]
How Do You Tell Someone You’ve Got an STI?
Finding out you have an STI can be stressful enough, telling someone else about it can feel even harder. You might be worried about awkwardness, rejection, or being judged. You might even feel embarrassed or ashamed. Let’s be clear from the start: having an STI is common, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of. First: […]
How to Talk About What You Want in Bed (Without Feeling Embarrassed)
Let’s be honest, talking about sex can feel awkward. Even if you’re confident in other parts of your life, saying what you like (or don’t like) in bed can bring up embarrassment, nerves, or the fear of “making it weird”. The good news? You’re not bad at communication, you’re just human. And it does get […]
Welcome to the Suffolk Sexual Health newsletter!
We hope you are well and looking forward to getting into the festive spirit. Did you know that within the UK, September is the most common month for somebody to be born in? This is attributed to more conceptions happening around Christmas time nine months prior. This means that at Suffolk Sexual Health Service, we […]
Can Contraception Help With Things Other Than Pregnancy?
When most people think about contraception, preventing pregnancy is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But did you know that many types of contraception can also help with other health issues; like acne, painful periods, and conditions such as endometriosis or PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)? Contraception isn’t one-size-fits-all, and some methods can have […]
What Happens If I Miss One Pill? Or Two? Or a Whole Pack?
Life happens. Alarms get ignored. Packs get left at home. And suddenly you’re staring at your pill strip thinking, “Wait… did I take that yesterday?” First things first: missing a pill is common and it doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to get pregnant. What matters is how many you’ve missed, what type of pill you’re […]
Can You Catch the Same STI Twice?
Short answer: yes, you absolutely can and it happens more often than people realise. A lot of people think that once you’ve had an STI and been treated, you’re “immune” or safe from getting it again. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. You can catch the same STI more than once, even if you’ve been […]
