Sexual Health

Most young people regardless of their gender or sexual Identity aren't having sex before they are 16 in fact many wait much later. It's your choice and nobody else's.

At 2BU and around the UK we use a quick checklist that may be able to help you make a decision about when is the right time to start having sex.

• You feel you could say no & that would be OK - but you still want to do it
• You could say no to sex without it damaging your relationship
• You know your own mind and know it's right
• You may have some anxieties about it - but not any fear
• Nobody's forcing you, pressurising you or bullying you into it
• You know you won't regret it - as much as you ever can know that
• You don't need someone else's permission
• You're not doing it just to keep up with your friends
• You've agreed you both want to take this next step together
• You don't want to have sex to keep a partner or just to make you popular
• You and your partner talked about safe sex and what that actually is. 
• You each want it for yourselves - not just because the other person does, or to please them
• You agreed whether or not to tell your friends afterwards

You aren't really ready for sex until you can say yes to all of the statements above - but remember, even if you have said yes, it still doesn't mean you have to.

For young people who are having sex. In Somerset there is a scheme called the C-Card and you can acess free condoms, and lube. Once you have joined you can get condoms and lube at lots of pick up points including 2BU and some Pharmacies, Young Peoples Health Clinics and SWISH Clinics.

Sexual Health Screening You can also pick up a Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea self testing postal kits at lots of pharmacies and GP surgeries or order one online We know that 1 in 12 sexually active young people will have chlamydia, but as most dont have any sysptoms it is worth testing once a year or every change of partner. 

Full Sexual Health Screening For lots of advice and information about sexual health 2BU has made good connections with Somerset Wide Integrated Sexual Health Service known as SWISH. They are a great service and welcoming to LGBTQ+ young people. As an LGBTQ+ young person you can get sexual health testing from there.

Vaccinations If you are a gay or bisexual young man it is worth looking at the free vaccinations you can get for Hepatitis A and B. Also the HPV vaccination is used to prevent genital warts and anal cancers caused by certain HPV viruses. You can get more infomration on these from the SWISH website or arrange to have the vaccinations at the SWISH clinics