Problems with sexual health and help

Sexual Health Dorset is a free contraception and sexual health service for all ages. It offers a wide range of confidential services, including testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI), contraception (including emergency contraception), PEP, and specialist young people’s services.

Sexual violence covers a range of acts including sexual harassment, rape, sexual assault and domestic violence.  Everyone has a right to control what happens to their bodies and a right to say no.

If you have been a victim of rape or sexual assault then contact the police by calling 999 and the Dorset Sexual Assault Referral Clinic SARC, The Shores.

You can also call the national sexual health helpline free on 0300 123 7123, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 4pm. Your call will be treated with sensitivity and in strict confidence.

STARS is a pan-Dorset charity that offers one-to-one support free of charge to anyone who lives or works in Dorset who has experienced sexual violence at any time in their life.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is sexual abuse and a crime. It is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, but there is no medical reason for this to be done. Not only is it very painful, but it can seriously harm the health of women and girls and cause long-term problems with sex, childbirth and mental health.

If you, or someone you know is in danger, or someone is trying to persuade you to have FGM, then you must contact the police immediately on 999, or the NSPCC helpline on 0800 028 3550.

If you are worried about being pregnant or having a sexually transmitted infection, then talk to your doctor or call Sexual Health Dorset 0300 303 1948.

If you’ve had sex without contraception, or your contraception hasn’t worked (e.g. a condom splits or comes off during sex) you may not be protected from STIs and are at risk of becoming pregnant.

If you have had unprotected sex with someone who is HIV positive (or someone your doctor considers likely to have HIV) and is not on treatment, you may benefit from Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) that can reduce your likelihood of becoming infected. This treatment must start less than 72 hours after sexual contact, or it won’t be effective.

If you’ve forgotten to take your pill you may not be protected against pregnancy. If you have trouble remembering your pill every day, you could consider another form of contraception.

Certain illnesses, like being sick, can stop the pill working properly. Always read the leaflet inside the packet so you know what might affect it.

Find out more about taking the pill when you’re sick or have diarrhoea – NHS UK

Some medicines can also prevent the pill from working properly. Talk to your doctor if you’re taking medication while on the pill.

You can get pregnant if you have sex without contraception. To avoid pregnancy, you can either:

If you’re having sex, you shouldn’t regularly rely on emergency contraception to stop you getting pregnant. Talk to your nurse or doctor, or visit a sexual health clinic, to explore what type of contraception is right for you.

Find out about different types of contraception.

If you are worried you are already pregnant, the first thing to find out for certain by taking a pregnancy test. There are lots of places you can have a free pregnancy test and get confidential advice, even if you are under 16.

If you are worried you are already pregnant, the first thing to find out for certain by taking a pregnancy test. There are lots of places you can have a free pregnancy test and get confidential advice, even if you are under 16.

If you’re pregnant and it’s unplanned, you’ll need to decide if you want to continue with the pregnancy. If you decide to have an abortion, the sooner this is done, the easier and safer it is. You can talk to Sexual Health Dorset’s specialist team on 0300 456 2217.

STIs are common and can be passed on during sex or through sexual contact. They can usually be treated at a sexual health clinic.

Most STIs can be easily treated, but some have no symptoms and can lead to serious health complications if left untreated.

Sexual Health Dorset offers free, confidential advice and treatment for STIs, including if you’re under 16. To make an appointment at Sexual Health Dorset call 0300 3030 1948.

Opening times are between 08.15 and 16.45 Monday – Friday.

Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs in the UK. You can take a test at home if you think you might have chlamydia for free.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affects your immune system and makes it harder for you to fight everyday infections and disease. It can be passed from one person to another through sexual activity. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the name used to describe a number of potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses that happen when your immune system has been severely damaged by HIV. AIDS cannot be transmitted from one person to another.

Talk to your doctor or contact Sexual Health Dorset if you are concerned about HIV or AIDS.

If you have had unprotected sex with someone who is HIV positive (or someone your doctor considers likely to have HIV) and is not on treatment, you may benefit from Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) that can reduce your likelihood of becoming infected. This treatment must start less than 72 hours after sexual contact, or it won’t be effective.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a tablet taken by men (cis and trans) and transgender women who have sex with men. It is taken before sex when you are HIV negative, and if you are at higher risk of HIV infection, to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV.

Difficulties with sexual intimacy can have lots of causes – biological, psychological and social. If you are having trouble during sex or experiencing symptoms of sexual dysfunction (such as finding it impossible to orgasm) speak to your doctor or a healthcare professional at Sexual Health Dorset.

Sex should not be painful. If you’re experiencing pain during or after sex, talk to your doctor or a healthcare professional at Sexual Health Dorset.

Some conditions which cause pain during sex can also cause pain or difficulties with other activities, using a tampon.