sex and health
Caring for someone with HIV/AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are serious medical conditions throughout the world today. Left untreated, AIDS is 100% fatal; however, life-prolonging antiretroviral drugs have begun to transform HIV from an inescapable death...read more
Emergency contraception
Options for emergency contraception Emergency contraception (EC) can drastically reduce the chances of an unwanted pregnancy. There are two basic forms of emergency contraception available – the “morning after pill” and the intrauterine device (IUD). Morn...read more
Sex addiction
Sex is a powerful driving force, and for some people it becomes an all pervading preoccupation which can lead to dangerous behaviours and life threatening habits. Like any source of pleasure, sex can become addictive, in which case it becomes distorted and is used as a means...read more
Sexual health funds 'diverted into NHS debt'
Research by the independent advisory group on sexual health and HIV (IAG) finds a "substantial proportion" of the £300 million earmarked for tackling sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and teenage pregnancies is not getting through to frontline services. ...read more
Sexual health: take care of it
t's important to take care of your sexual health and, if you have children, evidence shows that it's good to talk about sex and relationships. Young people who talk openly about sex with their parents tend to delay having sex and are more likely to use contraception when the...read more
Sexual relationships - from partner to patient
Long-term illness or disability may have a significant impact on even the healthiest of physical relationships. Once the initial feelings of shock subside, many couples find themselves going through a period of mourning, a time when they are coming to terms ...read more
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
What are sexually transmitted diseases? Sexually transmitted diseases (previously termed venereal disease or VD) are serious infections of the reproductive organs acquired during sexual contact. They may cause painful localized symptoms or a more generalized illness affecti...read more
Teenagers and their sexual health
Birth Control You should never feel pressured into having a sexual relationship with anyone. It is always best to wait until you are in a steady relationship and are old enough to make a sensible decision about what is right for you. If you are considering having a sexual relationship, PLEA...read more
Viruses taking over your blood
What are blood borne viruses? Blood borne viruses - called BBVs - are mainly found in blood or bodily fluids. The main BBVs are human immunodeficiency (HIV), hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Why are they important? Human Immunodeficiency Viru...read more
What are neurological complications of AIDS?
AIDS is primarily an immune system disorder caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but it can also affect the nervous system. HIV does not appear to directly invade nerve cells but it jeopardizes their health and function, causing symptoms such as confusion, forg...read more
What to do if your daughter is pregnant
If your daughter tells you that she is pregnant, your first reactions may be shock or anger, but the most important thing to do is to stay calm. You need to listen to your daughter and let her know that you will support her whatever she decides to do. You can help her by giv...read more
What you need to know about periods
Periods are a sign that you have reached puberty. The first period usually happens between the ages of 12 or 13, but could begin as early as aged 8 or as late as aged 17. A period lasts between 2 to 5 days and involves a small amount of blood loss from the vagina that is only about the amoun...read more
