Advice
Sexual Health
Looking after your sexual health is an important part of your mental and physical health, as well as your social and emotional well-being. City and Hackney have a range of sexual health services and support organisations available in the borough.
Sexual Health Services in City and Hackney
We have clinics and services throughout the City and Hackney.
You might want to visit a Sexual Health Service if:
- You have or you have not had sex yet
- You have any questions about sex, relationships or your body
All of our services are free and confidential. You can access sexual health services in a number of ways:
Visit your nearest young person’s walk-in clinic (no appointment needed)
When you visit a sexual health service you can talk to the team about anything. This might be things like:
- You want free condoms
- You would like contraception to prevent pregnancy
- You have had sex and you want emergency contraception
- You have noticed something on your penis or vagina and you would like us to check whether it’s normal
- You have noticed symptoms which suggest a sexually transmitted infection
- You would just like a check-up
Locations:
- Health Spot City & Hackney at Forest Road Youth Hub: 29 Forest Road, E8 3BY (Tuesdays, 3pm – 7pm)
Nearest station is Dalston Junction - Clifden Centre at Homerton Hospital, Homerton Row: E9 6SR (Monday – Friday)
Nearest station is Homerton
At these sites you can get: STI Tests, Emergency Contraception, Advice, Condoms, the Pill, Implant and Treatment.
If you’ve never been to a sexual health clinic before, here is a video that shows you what it’s like.
Book an appointment
Some people prefer to book an appointment in advance, so they know what time to go and that the nurse will be expecting them.
Click here for appointments at Health Spot City & Hackney
Click here for appointments at the Clifden Centre
You can also call Homerton Sexual Health Service on 0207 683 4103 to book an appointment.
Free condoms and lube
If you’re under 25 and live, work or study in Hackney or the City of London, you can get free condoms and lubricant through our Condom Distribution Scheme.
Register here for the scheme and pick up condoms from your local pharmacy.
Visit our webpage to find out more including a list of participating pharmacies.
Order an online STI test here
Sexual Health London (SHL) offers FREE STI tests to anyone living in London. This is completely confidential and you can even have the test sent to a nearby pharmacy if you prefer.
More information about what to expect is found on the SHL website – click here to register, request a kit or find out more.
More information about…
Contraception
A range of contraception is free and available on the NHS. There are lots of different types of contraceptives to choose from, depending on you and your lifestyle. The NHS website has information to help you choose what might be best for you.
Some commonly used contraceptives include:
| Condoms | Pill | Patch |
|---|---|---|
| Condoms
Barrier contraceptives like condoms are the only method that protects from STI and unwanted pregnancy by creating a physical barrier that stops the exchange of genital fluids during sex.Condoms protect against unwanted pregnancy by stopping the sperm contained in semen coming into contact with the vagina (which could lead to an egg being fertilised).An external condom covers the penis and acts as a barrier between it and the mouth, vagina, penis or anus. This prevents sexual fluids being transferred between partners, which provides protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Find out more about condoms and other methods of contraception on the NHS or Brook websites. |
Pill
There are different types of pill that you can take to prevent pregnancy. The combined contraceptive pill (also called the pill) which is a type of hormonal contraception.The progestogen-only pill, also called the mini pill, is a type of hormonal contraception.The pill prevents pregnancy by stopping the ovaries releasing an egg each month.It is best to talk with a doctor or sexual health nurse to find out about which type of pill would be best for you. Find out more on the NHS or Brook websites: |
Patch
The Contraceptive Patch is a sticky patch is worn on the skin and releases the hormones progesterone and oestrogen. It prevents pregnancy by releasing these hormones into the blood. This stops the ovaries releasing an egg each month. You wear a patch for 7 days and then replace it with a new one. The contraceptive patch is 99% effective if you use it correctly all the time. If not used correctly it’s less effective. Find out more about the patch and other contraceptives on the NHS and Brook websites. |
| Injection | IUD and IUS | Implant |
|---|---|---|
| Injection
The contraceptive injection is an injection that contains the hormone progestogen. It prevents pregnancy by stopping the ovaries releasing an egg (ovulation). The contraceptive injection is more than 99% effective if used correctly. If you get your injection late, it’s less effective. It lasts for 8 to 13 weeks, depending on the type. Find out more about the injection and other contraceptives on the NHS website. |
IUD and IUS
An IUD or IUS is a small plastic T-shape that a doctor or nurse puts into your womb (uterus).An IUD is also known as the copper coil. It does not use hormones. It stops pregnancy by releasing copper into the womb. An IUD is over 99% effective. It works as soon as it’s put in and lasts for 5 or 10 years, depending on the type. It can also be used for emergency contraception. An IUS, also called a hormonal coil, stops pregnancy by releasing the hormone progestogen into your womb. An IUS is over 99% effective and lasts for 3 to 8 years, depending on the type. More information about both the IUD and IUS can be found on the NHS and Brook websites. |
Implant
The contraceptive implant is a small plastic rod, around 4 cm long, that a doctor or nurse puts under the skin of your arm. It prevents pregnancy by releasing the hormone progestogen. This stops the ovaries releasing an egg each month. The contraceptive implant is not suitable for everyone. The implant works for 3 years before it needs to be replaced. An implant is over 99% effective if it’s replaced every 3 years. If not it’s less effective. Find out more on the NHS website. |
| Emergency Contraception |
|---|
| Emergency Contraception
What is emergency contraception and what are my options? If you have had sex without a condom, or you are worried that your contraception has failed, you can get free emergency contraception, which will help to prevent pregnancy. It’s really easy to get emergency contraception if you need it, or you are worried and want to talk to someone. It’s all confidential and health professionals will not judge you. You should access emergency contraception as soon as possible following sex. Where can I get emergency contraception? You can get FREE emergency contraception at a number of sites across the City and Hackney. These include at your local sexual health clinic, GP or pharmacy. How soon after sex can I take emergency contraception? It is really important that you get emergency contraception as soon as possible following unprotected sex, i.e. without any contraception – as it works best to stop pregnancy the sooner it is taken. Emergency contraception should not be used as a regular method of contraception. More information about emergency contraception can be found here on the NHS website. You can access free contraception, and contraception advice, from:
To find out more about local sexual health services, please visit www.hackney.gov.uk/sexual-health |
STIs
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections passed from one person to another person through any sexual contact. Anyone can get and pass on STIs, you don’t need to have lots of sexual partners. Some STIs don’t show any symptoms therefore it’s important to get an STI test when you’ve had sex without a condom, a change of partner, or if you’ve been told (or are worried) someone you have had sex with has an STI. The only way to know if you have an STI is to get a test or seek support from a health care worker. Getting tested means you – and your sexual partners – can access treatment quickly, if you need to. The quicker you access treatment, the less severe any symptoms are likely to be. To help lower your risk of getting an STI if you do have sex:
- Use a condom every time you have sex (vaginal, oral, or anal).
- Get tested with any new partners before having sex.
Common types of sexually transmitted infection (STI)
There are different types of sexually transmitted infection (STI). Click on the links below to find out more about:
- chlamydia
- gonorrhoea
- syphilis
- HIV and AIDS
- genital herpes
- genital warts
- scabies and trichomoniasis
- pubic lice
- human papillomavirus (HPV)
Confidentiality
Sexual Health services are totally confidential. You don’t need your parents’ permission and you don’t have to tell them if you don’t want to. You will not have any information about your attendance at these services passed on to anyone outside of the sexual health services (like your parents, teachers, social workers, etc.) without your knowing about it and agreeing to it. In exceptional circumstances, where you or someone else is in a dangerous situation and telling someone else about this may prevent you or them from being harmed, a member of staff will be required to pass on information without your permission. However they would still inform you of what they were going to do.
Feeling ready for sex
Taking the step to have sex can be a big decision to make. Everyone will make the decision at different times and what is important is making the decision at the right time for you. You are the only person that can make the choice to have sex and you should never feel pressured into having sex when you choose not to. Things to consider If you are considering having sex for the first time or having sex with a new partner, here are some things to think about:
| It’s your decision | No means no | Talking and getting advice |
|---|---|---|
| It’s your decision
Remember only you can decide whether or not you want to have sex and it’s ok to say no. People start having sex at different times. Just because other people are, doesn’t mean you have to. |
No means no
You shouldn’t pressurise or be pressured by someone to have sex. You must respect someone’s decision and they should respect yours. Yes once doesn’t mean yes always. |
Talking and getting advice
To help you get the information you need before or after having sex, you might want to talk to a trusted adult about your thoughts and feelings. This could be a parent/carer, a youth worker, your GP, a sexual health nurse, a teacher or anyone else that you trust. It is also important to talk to your partner about sex, and make sure you are on the same page. It’s helpful to talk about things like safe sex and consent within this conversation. |
| Being comfortable | Do you know the law? | Safe sex |
|---|---|---|
| Being comfortable
You might not be ready to have sex if you feel embarrassed or uncomfortable talking about any of this with your partner. Talking will help you understand each other’s likes and dislikes and boundaries. What one person likes might make another person uncomfortable. |
Do you know the law?
Any sexual contact without consent is illegal regardless of the age of the people involved. In the UK, the age of consent for sexual activity is 16. However, just because you’re 16 or over, it doesn’t mean you have to start having sex – it’s different for everyone. |
Safe sex
It’s vital that you talk about safe sex. Remember a condom is the only contraception that protects from STIs and the risk of unplanned pregnancy. Don’t rely on your partner to ensure you are safe, take responsibility for your own protection. |
Choosing my doctor
When you go for an appointment or walk-in, ask at reception if you would prefer to be seen by a doctor/nurse of the same sex as yourself. They will try to accommodate your request depending on clinic staffing that day. If you call in advance to book an appointment, often they can try to arrange for you to see a doctor of the same sex.
Cost of treatment (it’s free!)
Your visits to the sexual healthcare clinic are always free, including any medication you might receive, or any long-term contraception methods you might choose to have ( like an implant or IUD). If you are under the age of 25, you can also pick up free condoms from your local pharmacy. Visit our website to register and find your closest participating pharmacy.
STI Tests
All the tests we do are usually painless but may cause some discomfort depending on your symptoms. The tests we may recommend include urine tests (this means wee), swabs or blood tests. A swab is like a long cotton bud that is used to take a sample from the infected area (this could be from your mouth, anus or genitals). Some people don’t like blood tests in general and find this stressful. Our colleagues will be very sympathetic so don’t feel embarrassed and make sure you let them know. They will do everything they can to put you at ease.
Feeling embarrassed
Some people feel embarrassed talking about sex, that’s normal. But you don’t need to be embarrassed especially when talking to a member of a sexual health team. All of our staff deal with sexual health issues every day and specialise in this area – in short, they’ve heard it all before! Our staff will always be non-judgemental and respect your privacy and dignity.
Pregnancy (or potential pregnancy)
If you have missed a period, or if your period is late, you can take a pregnancy test to find out if you are pregnant. You can buy home pregnancy tests in most pharmacies and supermarkets. These are usually done by peeing on them and you must follow the instructions carefully and correctly. You can also visit a sexual health clinic or your GP to have a free test and discuss your options. Depending on your situation, the medical professional may ask you for a urine test, blood test or both to get the most accurate result. Missing a period or being late doesn’t always mean you’re pregnant. Stress or changes in your lifestyle can affect your period and monthly cycle too. Get tested to be sure, and continue to use contraception if you’re still having sex and don’t want to become pregnant. If you take a pregnancy test, the result will be confidential – no matter if it is positive or negative. If the pregnancy test is positive, the experienced nurses will be able to consult you on your choices – be it termination or continuing the pregnancy. This information will not be passed on to your GP or your parents, and our healthcare professionals are able to join you if you decide to share the news with your family.
Consent and the law
Any sexual contact without consent is illegal regardless of the age of the people involved. In the UK, the age of consent for sexual activity is 16. However, just because you’re 16 or over, it doesn’t mean you have to start having sex – it’s different for everyone
LGBTQIA+ services and support
Visit the Brook pages on gender or sexuality or the LGBT Switchboard for more information.
Emotional wellbeing and mental health support
Visit Kooth.com or call Childine at 0800 1111 for more information.
Mythbusting
You may have heard or seen information which is misleading and incorrect and could therefore affect your sexual health and wellbeing. It’s important to know the facts from the myths to help you and your partner stay safe. Check out some common myths and misconceptions below:
- Withdrawal before ejaculation – Pre-cum (fluid that comes out of the penis before ejaculation, often to help lubricate the penis) can contain sperm, therefore this is not a reliable method if you don’t want to get pregnant. Pre-cum can also contain STIs! Even shallow insertion of the penis into the vagina (sometimes called dipping) carries risks for both partners.
- You can’t get pregnant the first time you have sex – This is not true. You can get pregnant even if it’s your first sexual intercourse.
- Using cling film – Many people think that wrapping cling film, or other types of plastic barriers (such as crisp packets) around the penis will work the same as using a condom. This is not true.
- Having sex while on a period – Sperm can remain in the body for five days after sex. Even if you are on your period, your ovulation cycle can still be irregular, which means you could be at increased risk of pregnancy (ovulation is when your body releases egg cells). This is therefore not a reliable method.
- Using two condoms – Many people think using two is better than one, but not when it comes to condoms. Two condoms will rub against each other and this can weaken or break the condom. This is the same regardless of the type of condom. Use one at a time.
Other sources of information
- The NHS Sexual Health Hub has lots more answers to questions you might have on their website.
- Brook, a national charity for young people’s sexual health, also has lots of great information on their website.
- Or come in and speak to one of our friendly sexual health nurses at a clinic near you who will be happy to answer any questions you might have.
