Welcome to our March Essex Sexual Health Newsletter!
Sign up to our quarterly newsletter and have the latest updates delivered straight to your inbox – click here At Suffolk Sexual Health Service, we have been incredibly busy since our last update, as always we have been promoting safe sex and supporting communities around Suffolk to access our services. Within this newsletter you will see […]
Let’s Talk About Solo Sex
It’s something most people experience, but not many talk about openly. Solo sex (or masturbation) is a normal part of understanding your body, your feelings, and what you enjoy. But because of stigma or embarrassment, it can sometimes feel like something you’re not supposed to do. The reality is very different. Is it normal? Yes. […]
Do You Have to Tell Your GP About an STI?
If you’ve had an STI test or treatment, you might be wondering: “Do I have to tell my GP?” “Will this go on my medical record?” The short answer is: no, you don’t have to tell your GP and, in most cases, you can keep your sexual health care separate if you want to. Sexual […]
Does My Contraception Mess With My Period… Or Am I Just Imagining It?
If your periods have changed since starting contraception, you’re not imagining it. Changes to bleeding are very common with many types of contraception. It can feel confusing, especially if you’re not sure what’s normal, but in most cases there’s nothing to worry about. What counts as a “period” on contraception? Before contraception, your period is […]
“It Hurts When I Have Sex. Should I Just Push Through?”
Short answer: No. Sex should not be something you “just tolerate.” Pain during sex is common, but it is not something you should ignore or push through. If sex hurts, your body is telling you something. And that deserves attention, not shame. First: You’re Not Overreacting Pain during sex can happen for lots of reasons. […]
“I Love Them, But I Don’t Want the Same Things Sexually. What Now?”
You care about your partner. The relationship works in lots of ways. But sexually? You’re not on the same page. Maybe one of you has a higher sex drive. Maybe one of you wants to try things the other doesn’t. Maybe your interests just don’t quite match. This is incredibly common and it doesn’t automatically […]
Can I Take a Break From Contraception?
You might have seen people online talking about taking a “contraception holiday”, stopping their method for a while to “let their body reset.” But is that safe? And is it necessary? Do I Need a Break? For most people, no. Hormonal contraception does not build up in your body. Once you stop, the hormones leave […]
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 […]