Frequently asked questions

Yes. Many STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HPV and HIV, can cause no symptoms for months or years. That is why health services recommend regular testing if you have new or multiple partners, even when you feel completely well. Untreated infections can still cause complications and can be passed on.

Sexual health services keep your results confidential. In many countries, including the UK, specialist sexual health clinics do not share results with your family doctor without your permission. You can ask the clinic how your information is stored before you test.

It depends on your situation. A common rule is to test whenever you have a new partner, after any condom-less sex with a casual partner, and at least once a year if you are sexually active with more than one partner. Some groups are advised to test every three to six months. Ask a clinic what fits you.

Not with latex or polyisoprene condoms. Oil-based products such as petroleum jelly, body lotion and massage oil weaken these materials and can make the condom break. Choose a water-based or silicone-based lubricant instead. Internal condoms made of nitrile or polyurethane are not damaged by oil, but always check the packet instructions first.

They lower the risk but cannot remove it. Herpes and HPV spread through skin-to-skin contact, and they can affect areas that a condom does not cover. Using condoms consistently still reduces transmission. The HPV vaccine adds strong protection against the most harmful HPV types, and regular check-ups help catch any infection early.

Stay calm and act quickly. If pregnancy is possible, ask a pharmacist or clinic about emergency contraception as soon as you can. If there is any chance of HIV exposure, contact a sexual health clinic or emergency department about PEP within 72 hours, ideally within 24. Book an STI test for about two weeks later, or sooner if symptoms appear.

It works best when given before someone becomes sexually active, so programmes focus on adolescents. However, many adults can still benefit, and some health services offer it to adults at higher risk, such as men who have sex with men. Eligibility differs between countries, so ask a doctor or sexual health clinic whether it is recommended for you.

As soon as possible. PEP works best when started within 24 hours of a possible exposure and must be started no later than 72 hours afterwards. Go to a sexual health clinic or hospital emergency department and explain that you need PEP. Do not wait for symptoms or for a clinic appointment on another day.

No. PrEP only prevents HIV. It does not protect against chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, herpes, HPV or other infections, and it does not prevent pregnancy. That is why PrEP services include regular STI testing, and why condoms are still recommended. Many people combine PrEP, condoms and vaccination for the broadest protection.

No. You need a negative HIV test before starting PrEP and regular tests while you take it. PrEP medicine is not enough to treat HIV, so taking it with an undiagnosed infection could allow the virus to become resistant to important drugs. The test is quick, and a clinician or pharmacist will advise on everything else.

Yes. People living with HIV who take effective treatment and keep an undetectable viral load do not pass HIV on through sex, which is known as U=U. With treatment, people with HIV can expect a near-normal life expectancy, have relationships and, with medical support, have children without passing on the virus.

Yes. Anyone can change their mind at any point, including part way through. Once a person says stop, or makes it clear through their behaviour that they no longer want to continue, the other person must stop straight away. Continuing after consent has been withdrawn is not consensual.

A person who has had a drink may still be able to make a clear choice. But someone who is so drunk or high that they cannot understand what is happening, are slurring, unsteady, being sick or falling asleep cannot give consent. If you are unsure whether someone is able to agree, the safe and respectful choice is to wait.

No. Being in a relationship or married never means a person has agreed to sexual activity in advance. Consent is needed every time, and partners can say no whenever they want. In many countries, including the UK and the US, sexual activity without consent within a relationship or marriage is a crime.

No. Asking about STI testing is a normal, responsible part of looking after your health and theirs. Framing it around yourself, for example by saying when you were last tested, helps it feel like a shared decision. Most people appreciate a partner who takes their health seriously.

That is common, and it is not a sign that anyone has done something wrong. You could suggest testing together or separately before you stop using condoms. In many countries, including the UK, sexual health clinics are free and confidential, and home testing kits are widely available.

Telling partners is strongly encouraged so they can be tested and treated, and so you do not pass the infection back and forth. Laws on disclosure differ between countries. A sexual health clinic can advise you, and many can contact partners for you without revealing your name.

Wanting reassurance is understandable, but demanding access to a partner's phone, messages or location is a form of control. Healthy relationships allow each person privacy. If you feel insecure, talking about those feelings honestly, or with a counsellor, is a healthier step than checking up on someone.

It is normal for a partner to feel disappointed sometimes, but repeated anger, sulking, threats or punishment when you state a limit are warning signs. A caring partner may need time but will respect your needs. If you feel afraid, contact a domestic abuse helpline for confidential advice.

Yes. Boundaries often shift as a relationship grows, as life changes, or as you learn more about yourself. It is fine to update them and to ask your partner to do the same. Regular, calm check-ins help both people stay on the same page.

Long-acting reversible methods, namely the implant, the hormonal IUS and the copper IUD, are the most effective reversible options, preventing more than 99% of pregnancies. Sterilisation is similarly effective but intended to be permanent. These methods work so well because they do not rely on remembering to take or use something each day or each time.

For most methods, fertility returns soon after stopping, often straight away. The exception is the contraceptive injection, after which it can take up to a year for periods and fertility to return to normal. Sterilisation is intended to be permanent. If you are planning a pregnancy in the near future, mention this when choosing a method.

Possibly. Pills, implants, injections and intrauterine devices prevent pregnancy but do not protect against sexually transmitted infections. If you have a new partner, more than one partner, or do not know a partner's STI status, using condoms as well lowers your infection risk. Regular STI testing is also a good idea.

The levonorgestrel pill should be taken within 72 hours and the ulipristal acetate pill within 120 hours, but both work best the sooner they are taken. A copper IUD can be fitted up to five days afterwards and is the most effective option. If you are close to these limits, contact a pharmacy or clinic as soon as possible.

No. Emergency contraceptive pills mainly work by delaying or preventing ovulation, so a pregnancy does not start. They do not end an existing pregnancy and, according to the WHO, will not harm one if you are already pregnant. Medical abortion uses different medicines and is a completely separate treatment.

Yes. Emergency contraception is safe to use more than once, including within the same menstrual cycle. However, it is less effective than regular contraception and is not designed for ongoing use. If you find you need it often, a clinician can help you find a regular method, such as an implant or IUD, that suits you better.

Often, yes. Many couples go through periods of distance, especially during busy or stressful times. Rebuilding usually starts with small steps: regular time together, honest conversations and noticing what the other person needs. When both partners want to reconnect, progress is common. A counsellor can help if you feel stuck.

For many people, feeling emotionally close, respected and safe makes physical intimacy more relaxed and satisfying, and stress or resentment can reduce desire. The link is not the same for everyone, but working on communication and connection often improves both. Problems with sex can also have physical causes worth discussing with a doctor.

No. Many couples use counselling to improve communication, prepare for a big life change or work through a recurring disagreement before it grows. Going earlier often makes progress easier. You can look for a counsellor who is registered with a recognised professional body, and some services offer sessions online or at reduced cost.

Some can. Reduced desire is a known side effect of certain antidepressants, although not everyone is affected. Do not stop or change your medicine on your own, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms or a return of depression. Talk to your doctor, who may be able to adjust the dose, change the timing or suggest an alternative.

For some people, yes. Some users of hormonal contraception notice a change in desire, while many notice no difference. If you think your method is affecting you, a clinician can talk through other options, including non-hormonal methods. Keep using your current contraception until you have something else in place to avoid an unplanned pregnancy.

It is common for the intensity of early attraction to settle over time. Many couples find that desire becomes more responsive, growing out of closeness and relaxation rather than appearing spontaneously. Making time for each other, reducing pressure and talking openly can help. If the change worries you, a sex therapist or counsellor can support you.

A GP or family doctor is a good starting point, and a sexual health clinic can check for infections. Depending on the cause, you may be referred to a gynaecologist, a urologist, a pelvic health physiotherapist or a psychosexual therapist. You can ask to see a clinician of a particular gender if that would help you feel more comfortable.

Yes. Anxiety can reduce arousal and natural lubrication and make the pelvic muscles tense, both of which can lead to pain. Pain then often increases anxiety about the next time, creating a cycle. A clinician will still check for physical causes first, and treatment often addresses both the body and the worry together.

It can be. Several sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and herpes, can cause pain during sex, sometimes with discharge or pain when urinating. Many other causes are not infections at all. If there is any chance you have been exposed, a confidential STI test is a sensible step.

Yes. Most people with a penis have difficulty with erections at some point, and ongoing problems become more common with age. Being common does not mean you have to live with it: in most cases a cause can be found and treatment helps. A doctor will not be surprised or judgemental when you raise it.

Yes. Stress, anxiety and worry about performance are common causes, particularly in younger people. A clue is when erections happen normally at some times, such as on waking, but not in other situations. A doctor may still check for physical causes, and counselling or psychosexual therapy can help with the psychological side.

In some countries, certain medicines for ED are available after a consultation with a pharmacist. Even so, seeing a doctor is worthwhile, because ED can be an early sign of heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure that deserves checking. Always avoid unregulated online sellers, which may supply fake or unsafe products.

Often it does not. Unlike hot flushes, which tend to ease over time, vaginal dryness linked to lower oestrogen can continue or gradually worsen. The good news is that treatments such as vaginal moisturisers and local vaginal oestrogen work well for many people, and they can usually be used long term under a clinician's guidance.

Not quite. Local vaginal oestrogen is applied directly to the vagina in a low dose and acts mainly on the tissues there, with very little reaching the rest of the body. HRT works throughout the body and treats a wider range of symptoms. Some people use one, some use both. A clinician can explain which is suitable for you.

NHS guidance is to continue contraception until two years after your last period if you are under 50, or one year after your last period if you are 50 or older. Because some hormonal methods affect periods, it can be hard to tell when this point is reached, so speak to a clinician before stopping.

They can benefit. Men have pelvic floor muscles too, and strengthening them can help with leakage after prostate surgery, dribbling after passing urine and some bowel control problems. A doctor or physiotherapist can show you how to find the right muscles and how often to practise. Anyone with new urinary symptoms should also see a GP.

Most people need to practise regularly for around three months before they notice a clear difference. Results depend on doing the exercises correctly and consistently. If you see no improvement after this time, or are unsure whether you are using the right muscles, a pelvic health physiotherapist can assess you and adjust your programme.

It is common, particularly in the first weeks after birth, but it is not something you have to accept long term. Pelvic floor exercises help many people. If leakage continues for more than a few months, or affects your confidence or activities, talk to your GP, midwife or health visitor about a referral.

No. Paying or sending more images rarely ends the threats and often leads to further demands. Stop replying, keep screenshots of the messages and profile, report the account to the platform, and contact the police. Many people in this situation have been targeted by organised criminals, and it is not your fault.

No. StopNCII.org creates a digital fingerprint, called a hash, on your own device. Only the hash is shared with participating platforms, which use it to find and block matching images. The image itself stays on your device. The service is for adults; for images taken under 18, use NCMEC's Take It Down.

You have done nothing wrong, and help is available. Tell a trusted adult if you can. NCMEC's Take It Down service can help stop the image spreading online, and in the UK you can use the Report Remove tool from Childline. If someone is threatening you, report it to the police.

Warning signs include photos that look professional or appear elsewhere under another name, very little personal detail, a story that changes, and constant excuses to avoid a video call. A quick reverse image search and asking for a short video chat are two of the easiest ways to check that a match is real.

Do not send it, however convincing the reason sounds. Requests for money, gift cards or cryptocurrency from someone you have only met online are a classic sign of a romance scam. Stop contact, report the profile to the app, and if you have already paid, contact your bank immediately and report it to the police.

Most dates go well, and some simple steps reduce the risks. Video call first, meet in a busy public place, tell a friend where you are, arrange your own transport and stay aware of your drinks. Trust your instincts: you can end a date at any time, for any reason.