It includes contraception, safe sex advice, pregnancy options, sexuality and sexual orientation, and sexual abuse.

Your GP or Practice Nurse is a great starting point for help with any of these issues. They are trained in all of these areas and will, of course, treat any consultation in the strictest confidence.

TOO EMBARRASSED?
It is quite likely your doctor or nurse can remember embarrassing sexual moments from their own youth, so they will understand how you are feeling and do their best to make you feel comfortable.

PREGNANT?
Don’t delay, see a GP for advice on all pregnancy options, it’s free and totally confidential!

• How do I know if I’ve got an STI?

Sometimes it’s obvious but sometimes it’s not as there are infections that don’t cause any symptoms. If you think you have been in a risky situation talk to your Practice Nurse or GP and get tested.

A negative result is great for relieving anxiety, and if it turns out positive you’d be glad you found out!

• “My girlfriend said she once had treatment for Chlamydia. How can I be sure she’s not still got it?

It can be difficult as Chlamydia can be present in females without causing symptoms.

However, testing is easy with a simple urine specimen. Your GP, Practice Nurse or the Sexual Health or Family Planning Clinics can arrange this.

• “I get ‘cold sores’ on my face. I know the virus stays in my body and I’m worried it might break out on my genitals?”

The herpes virus won’t move itself from your face to your body but it can be spread around if you touch the spots and forget to wash your hands.

• “I had some genital warts but they went away. Is my partner safe if we don’t use condoms?”

The wart virus can remain in your body without actually causing visible warts. Although most infectious when warts are present you can still pass the virus on to sexual partners at any time.

Our immune systems do sometimes get rid of the virus completely, but, unfortunately, there is no way of knowing if this has happened.