You're in the young people's section of the Slough Children's Trust website!
First things first - It's never wrong to say no to sex. It's your choice, your life and your body, nobody has the right to pressure you and you should wait until you feel ready. Your immediate feelings will usually tell you whether you want to say 'yes' or 'no', if you have any doubts or worries, then don't have sex. Listen to yourself and remember that when you say 'no' to something you don't want to do, you are actually saying 'yes' to yourself and your own importance.
If you're considering having sex for the first time, or have been sexually active, for your own protection it is essential you always think about and use contraception. This will protect you against pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
The contraceptive pill and LARC (Long Acting Reversible Contraception) such as injections, implants or intra uterine devices are very effective methods for preventing unplanned and unintended pregnancy, but these will not protect you against STIs, so you should always use a condom too. Using a condom will help to protect you from getting an STI, such as Chlamydia, Genital Warts, Herpes, Gonorrhoea or HIV.
Contraception is available free from your GP or the Garden Clinic. Free condoms, Chlamydia screening and sexual health advice is available at all of Slough's Youth Clubs, Connexions, the Youth Offending Team and the NHS Walk In Centre. You can also buy condoms from pharmacies and supermarkets.
If you've had unprotected sex or think the contraceptive you used might not have worked, the emergency hormonal contraceptive (EHC) can be taken up to 72 hours after sex and is available from your GP, pharmacies, the NHS Walk In Centre at Upton Hospital or the Garden Clinic. EHC is free for girls under 18 at all pharmacies in Slough. EHC should be used exactly as the name suggests - in an emergency only, and should not be used as your regular contraceptive. If you have had unprotected sex, you should also think about going to the Garden Clinic for a sexual health check.
STIs are passed on during unprotected sex, and no matter how hard you look, you can't always tell if someone has got one, some of which have no cure. The types of STI you may have heard of include Chlamydia, Genital Warts, Herpes, HIV/AIDS but there are many more. Wearing a condom will help protect you and your sexual partner from getting an STI. Each STI has different symptoms, and some such as Chlamydia may have no symptoms at all, so at first you might not know you have one. If left untreated, STIs can have a serious effect on your health and may prevent young women from having children in the future. If you are worried or suspect you might have an STI, it's always best to get it checked out, visit your GP or the Garden Clinic immediately.
If you think you may be pregnant, you should take a pregnancy test immediately so you can decide as early as possible whether you wish to continue with the pregnancy or not. Pregnancy tests can be done in confidence by your GP, at the Garden Clinic or NHS Walk In Centre, where you will also be provided with support and guidance on the options available to you to assist you with making the right choice. You can also buy pregnancy testing kits from a pharmacy or supermarket.
You should remember that although 16 years of age is the age of sexual consent, regardless of your age you are entitled to confidential sexual health and pregnancy advice from your GP or other health professional. Unless you are personally at risk, everything you tell them must be kept completely confidential and will not be shared with anyone without your explicit consent. .
Speakeasy at The Garden Clinic - Tel: 01753 635302 or contact the helpline on 01753 635322. Visit The Garden Clinic, Upton Hospital, Albert Street, Slough, SL1 2BJ.
Brook - or call 0800 0185 023 for the confidential helpline
R U Thinking or 0800 282 930 for the confidential helpline
