The Different Roles in Sexual Health and Family Planning UK

What help can you get from Sexual Health and Family Planning?

Sexual Health and Family Planning can help you with:

• Learning about safe sex.
• Getting advice on having a family.
• Checking for infections.
• Getting medicine and treatments.
• Talking about your feelings and body changes.

If you find reading hard, you can ask someone to read it to you or use a tool that reads text out loud.

How can I find a sexual health clinic close to where I live?

Here is how you can find a clinic:

• Use a map app on your phone like Google Maps.
• Search for "sexual health clinic." You can also try "health center."
• Ask someone you trust for help, like a family member or friend.
• Look online on websites for local clinics or health services.

Do you need more help? Talk to a teacher or a family member. They can help you find what you need.

Do I need to book a time to go to a sexual health clinic?

You do not always need to book a time to go to the clinic. Some clinics let you walk in any time. It's good to call ahead and ask.

If you are not sure what to do, you can call the clinic. They will help you and answer your questions.

You can also use a website or app to find more information about your local clinic.

Can you get free contraception in the UK?

Yes, you can get contraception for free in the UK. There are different kinds of contraception to help you stop getting pregnant. You can talk to a doctor or nurse about what is best for you. They can help you choose and give it to you for free. You can also go to a clinic or some pharmacies for free contraception. If you need help, you can ask someone you trust to go with you.

What kinds of birth control can you use?

Birth control helps people not have a baby when they are not ready. Here are some types:

• Condoms: These are like stretchy covers. You wear them during sex to stop a baby.
• Pills: These are tablets you take every day. They stop your body from making a baby.
• Injections: A doctor gives you a shot that helps stop having a baby for a few months.
• IUD: A small thing a doctor puts in your body. It helps stop you from having a baby for a long time.
• Patches: These are like stickers. You wear them on your skin, and they help stop a baby.
• Rings: A small ring you put inside your body. It helps stop a baby.

Talk to a doctor or nurse about what is best for you.

Can I use sexual health services if I'm under 16?

If you are under 16 years old, you can still get help from sexual health services. They help you with questions about sex, keeping safe, and staying healthy.

There are people who talk to you in a way that you can understand. They keep your information private, which means they won't tell others unless they need to keep you safe.

To feel more comfortable, you can:

• Bring someone you trust with you, like a parent or friend.
• Ask the helper to explain things slowly or use pictures.
• Use an app on your phone or tablet that helps explain things in easy words.

What to Do if You Think You Have an STI

If you think you have an STI (a sickness you can get from touch or close contact), here are some steps to follow:

1. Talk to a Doctor: Go to a clinic or hospital. They can help you.
2. Get Tested: A doctor will check to see what sickness you have.
3. Follow Advice: Listen to what the doctor says. Take any medicine they give you.
4. Tell Your Close Contacts: Let people you have been close to know. They might need to get checked too.

For help reading or understanding, you can:

• Ask someone you trust to help you read.
• Use audiobooks or reading apps.

Are sexual health services private?

Sexual health services keep your information private. This means they do not tell anyone about your visit unless you say it is okay. If you need help, you can ask questions and the staff will support you.

Here are some tools to help you feel more comfortable:

• Ask for a quiet room: If you want to talk in private.
• Take a friend: Someone you trust can go with you for support.
• Write it down: Make a list of questions or things you want to talk about.

How often should I get tested for STIs?

It is good to check for STIs (infections you can get from sex) to stay healthy.

Here is how often you should test:

• If you have a new partner or more than one partner: Test every time you have a new partner.
• If you and your partner are together for a long time: Test at least once a year.
• If you are worried: Talk to a doctor or nurse. They can help you decide when to test.

Here are some tips to help:

• Use a planner or a reminder on your phone to remember when to test.
• Ask a friend or family member to remind you.
• Visit a clinic or doctor. They can answer your questions.

Help for When You're Having a Baby and Didn't Plan It

Having a baby when you didn't plan it can be a surprise. There are people who can help you.

You can talk to a doctor or a nurse. They are good people to ask for help.

There are also special places, called clinics, where you can talk about having a baby. They can give you advice.

You can talk to family or friends too. They can support you and help you think about what you want to do.

There are phone lines where you can call and talk to someone. They can give you help and information.

Remember, you are not alone. There are people who want to help you.

Can I get the morning-after pill for free?

You might get the morning-after pill without paying money. Here are some ways:

• Health Clinics: Visit a health clinic. Ask if they can give it to you for free.
• Doctor: Talk to your doctor. They can tell you how to get it.
• Family Planning Services: Some places help with family planning. They might give it for free.

If you need help reading, ask someone you trust. They can read it with you.

How can I talk to my partner about using protection?

Talking to your partner can be easy and helpful. Here are some simple steps:

• Pick a good time: Choose a moment when you both feel relaxed and can talk in private.
• Be honest: Share your feelings and why using protection is important to you.
• Listen: Ask your partner what they think and listen to their feelings too.
• Learn together: Find out about different types of protection and decide which one is best for both of you.
• Use tools: You can use videos or books to help understand more.
• Stay calm: It's okay if talking takes time. Keep the conversation friendly and caring.

Will my doctor tell my parents if I ask about sexual health?

If you are a teenager and you talk to your doctor about sexual health, your doctor will usually keep it private. This means they will not tell your parents.

You can always ask your doctor to explain what "confidential" means. You can also ask them if they plan to talk to anyone else about your visit.

If you find it hard to talk about sexual health, you can bring a trusted friend or use a helpline for support.

What to Do if You Face Unfair Treatment at a Sexual Health Service

If someone treats you unfairly at a sexual health clinic, here is what you can do:

• Talk to Someone You Trust: Share your feelings with a friend, family member, or support worker.
• Speak Up: Let the clinic staff know how you feel. They might not know they upset you.
• Write It Down: Keep a record of what happened. Write down the date, time, and what was said.
• Ask for Help: Contact support groups or charities. They can give advice and support.
• Make a Complaint: Most clinics have a way to report problems. Ask how to do this.

If you need more help, you can use:

• Easy Words Apps: There are apps that can help explain big words.
• Support Workers: Some workers can help talk to the clinic for you.

How can I learn more about sexual health?

Learning about sexual health is important. Here are some easy ways to learn:

• Read simple books: Look for books with easy words and pictures about bodies and health.
• Watch videos: Find videos for kids about health. They can show you things in a fun way.
• Ask a trusted adult: You can talk to someone you trust, like a parent or teacher, to ask questions.
• Use apps and websites: Some websites and apps are made for kids to learn about health safely.

Remember, it's okay to ask questions. Using these tools can help you learn in a way that feels good for you!

What help can you get from Sexual Health and Family Planning?

Sexual Health and Family Planning can help you with:

• Learning about safe sex.
• Getting advice on having a family.
• Checking for infections.
• Getting medicine and treatments.
• Talking about your feelings and body changes.

If you find reading hard, you can ask someone to read it to you or use a tool that reads text out loud.

How can I find a sexual health clinic close to where I live?

Here is how you can find a clinic:

• Use a map app on your phone like Google Maps.
• Search for "sexual health clinic." You can also try "health center."
• Ask someone you trust for help, like a family member or friend.
• Look online on websites for local clinics or health services.

Do you need more help? Talk to a teacher or a family member. They can help you find what you need.

Do I need to book a time to go to a sexual health clinic?

You do not always need to book a time to go to the clinic. Some clinics let you walk in any time. It's good to call ahead and ask.

If you are not sure what to do, you can call the clinic. They will help you and answer your questions.

You can also use a website or app to find more information about your local clinic.

Can you get free contraception in the UK?

Yes, you can get contraception for free in the UK. There are different kinds of contraception to help you stop getting pregnant. You can talk to a doctor or nurse about what is best for you. They can help you choose and give it to you for free. You can also go to a clinic or some pharmacies for free contraception. If you need help, you can ask someone you trust to go with you.

What kinds of birth control can you use?

Birth control helps people not have a baby when they are not ready. Here are some types:

• Condoms: These are like stretchy covers. You wear them during sex to stop a baby.
• Pills: These are tablets you take every day. They stop your body from making a baby.
• Injections: A doctor gives you a shot that helps stop having a baby for a few months.
• IUD: A small thing a doctor puts in your body. It helps stop you from having a baby for a long time.
• Patches: These are like stickers. You wear them on your skin, and they help stop a baby.
• Rings: A small ring you put inside your body. It helps stop a baby.

Talk to a doctor or nurse about what is best for you.

Can I use sexual health services if I'm under 16?

If you are under 16 years old, you can still get help from sexual health services. They help you with questions about sex, keeping safe, and staying healthy.

There are people who talk to you in a way that you can understand. They keep your information private, which means they won't tell others unless they need to keep you safe.

To feel more comfortable, you can:

• Bring someone you trust with you, like a parent or friend.
• Ask the helper to explain things slowly or use pictures.
• Use an app on your phone or tablet that helps explain things in easy words.

What to Do if You Think You Have an STI

If you think you have an STI (a sickness you can get from touch or close contact), here are some steps to follow:

1. Talk to a Doctor: Go to a clinic or hospital. They can help you.
2. Get Tested: A doctor will check to see what sickness you have.
3. Follow Advice: Listen to what the doctor says. Take any medicine they give you.
4. Tell Your Close Contacts: Let people you have been close to know. They might need to get checked too.

For help reading or understanding, you can:

• Ask someone you trust to help you read.
• Use audiobooks or reading apps.

Are sexual health services private?

Sexual health services keep your information private. This means they do not tell anyone about your visit unless you say it is okay. If you need help, you can ask questions and the staff will support you.

Here are some tools to help you feel more comfortable:

• Ask for a quiet room: If you want to talk in private.
• Take a friend: Someone you trust can go with you for support.
• Write it down: Make a list of questions or things you want to talk about.

How often should I get tested for STIs?

It is good to check for STIs (infections you can get from sex) to stay healthy.

Here is how often you should test:

• If you have a new partner or more than one partner: Test every time you have a new partner.
• If you and your partner are together for a long time: Test at least once a year.
• If you are worried: Talk to a doctor or nurse. They can help you decide when to test.

Here are some tips to help:

• Use a planner or a reminder on your phone to remember when to test.
• Ask a friend or family member to remind you.
• Visit a clinic or doctor. They can answer your questions.

Help for When You're Having a Baby and Didn't Plan It

Having a baby when you didn't plan it can be a surprise. There are people who can help you.

You can talk to a doctor or a nurse. They are good people to ask for help.

There are also special places, called clinics, where you can talk about having a baby. They can give you advice.

You can talk to family or friends too. They can support you and help you think about what you want to do.

There are phone lines where you can call and talk to someone. They can give you help and information.

Remember, you are not alone. There are people who want to help you.

Can I get the morning-after pill for free?

You might get the morning-after pill without paying money. Here are some ways:

• Health Clinics: Visit a health clinic. Ask if they can give it to you for free.
• Doctor: Talk to your doctor. They can tell you how to get it.
• Family Planning Services: Some places help with family planning. They might give it for free.

If you need help reading, ask someone you trust. They can read it with you.

How can I talk to my partner about using protection?

Talking to your partner can be easy and helpful. Here are some simple steps:

• Pick a good time: Choose a moment when you both feel relaxed and can talk in private.
• Be honest: Share your feelings and why using protection is important to you.
• Listen: Ask your partner what they think and listen to their feelings too.
• Learn together: Find out about different types of protection and decide which one is best for both of you.
• Use tools: You can use videos or books to help understand more.
• Stay calm: It's okay if talking takes time. Keep the conversation friendly and caring.

Will my doctor tell my parents if I ask about sexual health?

If you are a teenager and you talk to your doctor about sexual health, your doctor will usually keep it private. This means they will not tell your parents.

You can always ask your doctor to explain what "confidential" means. You can also ask them if they plan to talk to anyone else about your visit.

If you find it hard to talk about sexual health, you can bring a trusted friend or use a helpline for support.

What to Do if You Face Unfair Treatment at a Sexual Health Service

If someone treats you unfairly at a sexual health clinic, here is what you can do:

• Talk to Someone You Trust: Share your feelings with a friend, family member, or support worker.
• Speak Up: Let the clinic staff know how you feel. They might not know they upset you.
• Write It Down: Keep a record of what happened. Write down the date, time, and what was said.
• Ask for Help: Contact support groups or charities. They can give advice and support.
• Make a Complaint: Most clinics have a way to report problems. Ask how to do this.

If you need more help, you can use:

• Easy Words Apps: There are apps that can help explain big words.
• Support Workers: Some workers can help talk to the clinic for you.

How can I learn more about sexual health?

Learning about sexual health is important. Here are some easy ways to learn:

• Read simple books: Look for books with easy words and pictures about bodies and health.
• Watch videos: Find videos for kids about health. They can show you things in a fun way.
• Ask a trusted adult: You can talk to someone you trust, like a parent or teacher, to ask questions.
• Use apps and websites: Some websites and apps are made for kids to learn about health safely.

Remember, it's okay to ask questions. Using these tools can help you learn in a way that feels good for you!