Having good sexual health means having healthy genitals and reproductive organs. It means being able to make decisions to support a safe, healthy and pleasurable sex life, and feeling safe and positive about sexuality and sexual relationships. It also covers contraception and pregnancy.

More information about sex in relation to pregnancy, menopause, your menstrual cycle or other gynaecological or pelvic symptoms can be found on the relevant pages of this website.

wh-STIs

If you are experiencing abuse, coercion or violence in relation to your sexual health, or if you or someone you know has experienced or is at risk of female genital cutting, you should tell the police, your doctor, teacher or other professional immediately.

About sexual health

Having a ‘normal’ sex life means taking part in sexual activity that feels fulfilling and satisfying to you and your partner, as often or as little as you both want. You should have the freedom to choose and communicate the types of sexual experiences and relationships you are interested in.

It’s important to use contraception to protect yourself and your partner from STIs and to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

Consent

Consent is essential in establishing boundaries within sexual relationships. While the age of consent is 16 years old, this is not the same as sexual consent.

Sexual consent is an agreement between two people to engage in sexual activity. You should never feel pressured or forced to have sex. Within a relationship, it is important that you talk clearly about what you and your partner do, and do not, want to do.

Your body

Getting to know your body can help you learn about your sexual preferences and boundaries. It can also help you spot if something isn’t quite right.

Having sex for the first time

If you are considering having sex, then it is important that you are ready. Sex should be an experience you enjoy but are also willing to take responsibility for.

Benefits of sex and sexual pleasure

Sex and intimate relationships are a normal part of life. Having good sexual health, regardless of age, has been shown to have positive links with maintaining good physical and emotional health.

To help you experience sexual pleasure, you should:

  • have sex only when you want to, and only the kinds of sex that you want

  • meet your own conditions for good sex (e.g. feeling relaxed, not feeling tired or distracted)

  • recognise when you are tense and what helps you relax

  • get the kind of stimulation you like and focusing on this stimulation

  • try not to worry about your performance.

Menopause and sex

There is a myth that sexual pleasure reduces during menopause, but this doesn’t need to be true.

NHS Scotland has information on sexual wellbeing and intimacy during the menopause that might help.

Sex can still be pleasurable in later life. The Age UK website has tips and information on enjoying sex as you get older.

Sex in pregnancy

It is generally safe to have sex during pregnancy. While your baby may feel your movements during sex, any sexual activity that does not harm you will not harm your baby, as they are protected in the womb by amniotic fluid.

Pregnancy is a suitable time to consider what method of contraception you may want to use after your baby is born.

LGBTQI+ and sexual health

Sexual Health Dorset has specialist help and advice for LGBTQI+ people.

Over the Rainbow is an NHS Initiative for the local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community in Bournemouth, Weymouth and Dorset. They offer information for individuals and their families with issues relating to sexuality, sexual health, sexual identity and HIV. They also host a variety of support and social groups.

Switchboard: the LGBT+ helpline provides an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans (transgender, transsexual, transvestite) people; call the helpline on 0300 330 0630, open 10am to 10pm daily.