Sexual health tips for the festive season

It's easy to neglect your sexual health when you're having fun over the festive season. SHORE the sexual health partnership for Southend want residents to remember these handy hints for staying safe.

Your most important festive accessory – the condom!

Condoms help protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well as unplanned pregnancy, so carry them with you so you're ready if you need one.

You can get male and female condoms for free from:

• contraception and sexual health clinics
• young people’s services
• some general practices
• some genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics.

Many of these services will have reduced hours or be closed over Christmas and New Year - so stock up in advance.

You can also buy them from a pharmacy, as well as from vending machines, supermarkets and petrol stations.

Emergency contraception

If you have unprotected sex, or if your usual method of contraception fails then emergency contraception can help prevent an unplanned pregnancy.

You can use emergency contraception up to five days after unprotected sex but it's best to get it as soon as possible. If your local contraception clinic or GP surgery is closed you can try an NHS walk in centre, or visit your local  pharmacy.

If you're worried you might need emergency contraception over Christmas and not be able to get it, ask your GP or your usual contraception service about getting emergency pills in advance just in case.

Contraception

Make sure you have enough supplies of your usual method of contraception to cover you over the festive period..

If you're travelling then remember to pack your contraception!

Your daily routine can change a lot over Christmas so if your method relies on you remembering to take or use it and you think you might forget, then set reminders for yourself. Try setting an alert on your phone or leaving a note somewhere you'll see it.

Sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be passed on through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex, by genital contact and through sharing sex toys.

Some common STI symptoms include unusual discharge from the vagina or penis, pain or burning when you go for a wee, and itches, rashes, lumps or blisters around the genitals or anus. And you really don't want to wake up with any of those on Christmas Day.

It’s easy to get carried away when you’re enjoying the festivities, but if you have sex using a condom is a positive way to look after your health . They’re the only method of contraception that help protect you from both STIs and pregnancy.

Sexual health clinic opening hours over the Christmas period:

Kingsley Ward Centre

24th December 9am till 1.30pm

25th Closed

26th closed

27th Closed

28th December 7.30am till 7.30pm

29th December 11.00 am till 7.30 pm

30th December 9.00 am till 4.30pm

31st December 9.00am till 1.30 pm

1st January Closed

2nd January Closed

Normal hours from the 3rd January

Carlingford Centre Southend Hospital

24th Closed

25th Closed

26th closed

27th Closed

28th December 8.15am till 4pm

29th December 8.15am till 8pm

30th December 8am till 1pm

31st December closed

1st January Closed

2nd January Closed

Normal hours from the 3rd January