Looking after our Sexual Health
By Adam Waite, Personal, Development, Behaviour and Attitude Officer
14-20 September is Sexual Health Awareness Week. Our sexual health needs as much care as our physical and mental health, and it’s important that we are informed and educated and know about the options we have to stay safe.Â
This year’s sponsor of Sexual Health Week is Brook – they believe in a society where young people are free to be themselves and confident in their sexual relationships. They provide young people with the tools, information and confidence they need to have inclusive positive sexual relationships. Â
What does sexual health mean?
Sexual health encompasses:
- Reducing the risk of unintended pregnancy.
- The prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Minimising risk-taking behaviours and their health consequences.
- Promoting positive sexual relationships and sexual wellbeing.
Resources providing information, support and guidance
Brook provides information, support and advice for young people and their sexual health.Â
Family Planning Association also has support resources.
Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) work with people who have experienced sexual violence to get them access to the services they need. They provide impartial advice on all the options available such as reporting to police, the criminal justice process, accessing sexual assault referral centres (SARCs), seeking support from specialist sexual violence organisations and other services such as housing or benefits. Find your local centre.
NHS provides a guide to sexual health services which includes local services available.
National Sexual Health Helpline If you would like to talk to someone about a sexual health issue, you can call the national sexual health helpline free on 0300 123 7123. Your call will be treated with sensitivity and in strict confidence. The Sexual Health Helpline is open from 9am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.
NSPCC has resources for schools/educators covering a variety of subjects.
Our Personal, Development Behavior and Attitude (PDBA) page has further resource links covering a variety of subject areas that all offer information, support and advice – no matter what’s on your mind, there is someone that can support you.
2019 Statistics from Public Health England
- In 2019, there were 468,342 diagnoses of STIs made in England, a 5% increase since 2018.
- There were 70,936 diagnoses of gonorrhoea reported in 2019, a 26% increase since 2018.
- There were 7,982 diagnoses of syphilis reported in 2019, a 10% increase since 2018.
- There were 5,311 diagnoses of Mycoplasma genitalium reported in 2019, a 196% increase since 2018; the increase reflects a rise in the availability of testing.
- There were 149 diagnoses of first episode genital warts in 15 to 17 year old girls in 2019, a 23% decrease relative to 2018, and 90 diagnoses of first episode genital warts in same aged heterosexual boys, an 11% decrease relative to 2018; this is a continuation of the steep decline observed since 2014 and is largely due to the high coverage National HPV vaccination Programme in schools.
- The impact of STIs remains greatest in young heterosexuals 15 to 24 years; black ethnic minorities; and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM).
- Between 2018 and 2019, the number of consultations at sexual health services (SHSs) increased by 7% (from 3,613,447 to 3,852,121); the rise was most apparent among internet service providers