{"id":1673,"date":"2013-12-03T16:24:32","date_gmt":"2013-12-03T16:24:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/adultsocialcareandhealth\/?page_id=1673"},"modified":"2025-01-14T17:25:18","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T17:25:18","slug":"sexual-health","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/adult-social-care\/independent-living\/health-and-wellbeing\/sexual-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Sexual health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Did you know?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">There are half a million new sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses each year, which means the risk of getting an infection is increasing. The risk of infection also increases with frequent partner change<\/span>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed STI in the UK and for most it has no symptoms. If it\u2019s untreated it can cause pelvic infection and infertility.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">In those that have been treated for chlamydia there is a 60% chance that their partner will be positive too<\/span>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">A quarter of people with HIV in the UK are undiagnosed.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Half of all STI diagnoses in the UK are young people under 25.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">30% of women will have an abortion at some time in their lives.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Long acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods such as the contraceptive implant or contraception coil have lower failure rates.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Sexual health incorporates advice and services for:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">contraception<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>relationships<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">abortion<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">sexually transmitted infections including HIV<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Local contraception and sexual health clinics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Advice about contraception and sexual health including where to find your nearest sexual health clinic or contraception provider can be found at <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.devonsexualhealth.nhs.uk\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">www.devonsexualhealth.nhs.uk<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GP practices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Many GP practices offer a full range of contraception (including the contraceptive coil and contraceptive implant) as well as chlamydia screening for young people. <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/Service-Search\/GP\/LocationSearch\/4\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Find your local GP practice here<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Support for people affected by HIV<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.eddystone.org.uk\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Eddystone Trust<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> is an independent organisation providing information and support for anyone affected by HIV across the South West. Some services also relate to wider sexual health.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Further services for young people<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many pharmacies offer free emergency hormonal contraception to young women aged 13-24 and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devonsexualhealth.nhs.uk\/stis\/chlamydia\/\" rel=\"noopener\">chlamydia screening<\/a> for young men and women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Local minor injury units \u2013 some offer emergency contraception, please telephone first<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">You can get all forms of emergency contraception from any\u202fDevon sexual health clinic, please\u202fcall our service\u202f(Monday-Friday 9-5pm) and we will review you the same day.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also get emergency hormonal contraceptive pills (the morning after pill) from most pharmacies and from your GP. If you have had unprotected sex then it\u2019s important that you take the \u2018morning after pill\u2019 as soon as possible afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Emergency contraception is available free from GPs and also from some pharmacies if you are 13-24. You can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devonsexualhealth.nhs.uk\/find-a-service-near-me\/\" rel=\"noopener\">find local services <span data-contrast=\"none\">here<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, emergency contraception can be bought from a pharmacy over the counter or online, although the cheapest medication may not always be the best option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wherever you are reviewed you should be offered\u202ftesting for STIs\u202fat the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have been raped or sexually abused you can get advice, support, Emergency contraception and STI testing at a\u202fDevon and Cornwall SARC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Further education colleges \u2013 nurses offer confidential sexual health drop-ins and can provide free condoms, pregnancy testing, chlamydia screening and emergency contraception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Schools \u2013 many secondary schools offer confidential sexual health drop-ins and nurses can provide free condoms, pregnancy testing, chlamydia screening and emergency contraception. School nurses can be contacted via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthforteens.co.uk\/devon\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Health for Teens<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Online \u2013 there is a lot of contradictory information on the internet but sites like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthforteens.co.uk\/devon\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Health for Teens<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brook.org.uk\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Brook<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> provide clear, sensible information for young people and parents.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sexual wellbeing \u2013 people with learning disabilities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Personal and sexual relationships can bring happiness, fulfilment, companionship, love and a greater sense of freedom to the lives of people with a learning disability.&nbsp;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Some easier to read information is available regarding sexual health and wellbeing:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devonsexualhealth.nhs.uk\/sex-relationships\/people-with-learning-difficulties\/what-is-contraception\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Contraception \u2013 Easy read \u2013 Devon Sexual Health<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devonsexualhealth.nhs.uk\/sex-relationships\/people-with-learning-difficulties\/sexually-transmitted-infections-easy-read\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Sexually Transmitted Infections \u2013 Easy read \u2013 Devon Sexual Health<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/worthtalkingabout\/Pages\/sex-worth-talking-about.aspx\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Sexual health information from NHS Choices<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.eddystone.org.uk\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">HIV support and services<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freetest.me\/chlamydia\/devon\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Chlamydia screening \u2013 North, Mid, Exeter and East Devon<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Did you know?&nbsp; Sexual health incorporates advice and services for: Local contraception and sexual health clinics Advice about contraception and sexual health including where to find your nearest sexual health clinic or contraception provider can be found at www.devonsexualhealth.nhs.uk&nbsp; GP practices Many GP practices offer a full range of contraception (including the contraceptive coil and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":748,"featured_media":0,"parent":25305,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-1673","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-26 14:21:11","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/adult-social-care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1673","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/adult-social-care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/adult-social-care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/adult-social-care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/748"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/adult-social-care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1673"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/adult-social-care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1673\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41590,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/adult-social-care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1673\/revisions\/41590"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/adult-social-care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25305"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/adult-social-care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1673"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}